India

Over 300 Indian Students Evacuated From Bangladesh Amidst Violent Anti-Quota Protests

Amid escalating anti-quota protests in Bangladesh, over 300 Indian students have had to return to India.

Student demonstrations against the reintroduction of reservation in government jobs have caused at least 104 deaths and over 2,500 injuries.

The protests, which began several weeks ago, have intensified following the reimplementation of a 30 percent reservation quota for the families of veterans of the 1971 Independence War.

The court reinstated the quota in June, reversing its 2018 abolition following a significant student movement.

The decision has sparked widespread outrage, particularly among students grappling with high unemployment rates.

The situation deteriorated dramatically on Monday, with violent clashes erupting at Dhaka University.

The confrontation led to 6 fatalities on Tuesday and prompted the government to shut down universities across the nation.

Indian students, primarily from Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Meghalaya, and Jammu & Kashmir, were evacuated through two major border crossings: Akhurah in Tripura and Dawki in Meghalaya.

The evacuation involved a six-hour journey through cabs and security escorts, facilitated by the Indian authorities.

The ongoing near-total internet shutdown and severely disrupted telephone services in Bangladesh made it challenging for the students to stay in touch with their families, adding urgency to their departure.

In a national address on Wednesday, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina acknowledged the crisis and called for patience.

She assured that the government is addressing the issue through legal channels and has appealed the court’s decision to reinstate the quota system.

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court has scheduled a hearing date.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina condemned the violence and attempts by certain groups to exploit the situation for their own agendas.

“It is a matter of sorrow that some vested interests have engaged in terrorist activities to advance their ambitions. As the matter is now before the top court, I urge everyone to remain patient,” she stated.

Also Read: CISA Warns Of Increased Cyber Threats Amidst Microsoft Outage

Mankrit Kaur

Recent Posts

Mumbai’s Street MBA: How A Bag Hustle Became A ₹8 Lakh Business

A Mumbai auto driver earns up to ₹8 lakh per month by offering a simple…

45 mins ago

Five Districts In Manipur Face Internet Shutdown Following Unrest

Manipur suspended internet in five districts for five days after protests over arrest of a…

2 hours ago

Shashi Tharoor Criticises Pakistan: “In Pakistan You Get Rewarded For Promoting Terrorism”

Shashi Tharoor condemns Pakistan’s treatment of Dr Shakil Afridi, who helped the US locate Osama…

2 hours ago

How To Read Food Labels & Make Smarter Grocery Choices

Reading food labels helps you make informed, healthier choices by understanding nutrition facts & picking…

2 hours ago

JP Nadda Slams Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Match-Fixing’ Claims As ‘Desperation Of Losing’ Polls

Rahul Gandhi's opinion piece appeared in a national daily and sparked political uproar. Opposition parties…

15 hours ago

Poverty In India Reduced Via Tangible Boost In Household Living Standards, Incomes

In 2022–23, poverty under the revised $3.00 line stood at just 5.25 per cent in…

15 hours ago