National
Quota Reform Movement in Global Media
Student protests demanding quota reforms have continued for several days in Bangladesh. Although initially peaceful, the situation escalated into violence on Monday after attacks by the Chhatra League. The campuses of Dhaka University, Jahangirnagar University, and Chittagong University, among others, have turned into battlegrounds.
Global Media Attention
While the protests have been covered by Bangladeshi media from the start, Monday’s events caught the attention of international media. Al Jazeera reported, “At least 100 Bangladeshi students injured in protests against government job quotas,” shortly after the Chhatra League’s attacks at Dhaka University.
According to the report, clashes between ruling party supporters and quota reform protesters left at least 100 students injured. Police and eyewitnesses described hours of confrontations involving stone-throwing, sticks, and iron rods.
Additional Reports
Reuters also reported on the clashes, noting that over 100 students were injured across Bangladesh. They emphasized that this is the first major protest Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has faced since winning her fourth consecutive term in January’s elections.
Police and eyewitnesses reported thousands of quota reform activists and Awami League student wing members clashing at various universities, with many students getting injured. Despite the violence, protesters vowed to continue their demonstrations nationwide.
Historical Context
BBC covered the protests five days earlier, highlighting that thousands of university students in Bangladesh were protesting the quota system in government jobs. They argued that the current system is discriminatory and demanded reforms based on merit.
Recent Developments
On Tuesday, Anadolu Agency reported on the Monday clashes, stating that hundreds were injured during the confrontations. The protests erupted in response to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s remarks on the quota system, with thousands gathering at Dhaka University.
Medical and Casualty Reports
Dhaka Medical College Hospital’s emergency unit reported treating 250 students, with 11 admitted for serious injuries. Clashes were also reported at Jahangirnagar, Chittagong, Rajshahi, and Sylhet universities. Students from private universities in Dhaka joined the protests as well.
Asif Mahmud, a coordinator of the quota reform movement, claimed that over 200 students were injured in attacks by the Chhatra League. In contrast, Chhatra League President Saddam Hossain claimed that over 100 of their activists were injured by protesting students.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecasted light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty winds at most places across the Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions. Some areas may experience moderately heavy to very heavy rainfall, according to their latest weather bulletin released on Thursday.
Day and night temperatures are expected to remain nearly unchanged across the country.
The highest rainfall in the country over the past 24 hours was recorded in Kumarkhali, with 104mm of rain by 6 a.m. on Thursday.
The axis of the monsoon trough extends from India’s Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal to Assam, passing through Bangladesh, with one of its associated troughs stretching into the North Bay of Bengal.
The monsoon remains active over Bangladesh and moderate to strong over the North Bay region.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecasted that the mild heat wave currently affecting parts of the country, including the capital, is expected to subside in most areas within the next 24 hours, starting from 9 am today.
“A mild heat wave is sweeping across the divisions of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, and Sylhet, as well as the districts of Jashore, Chuadanga, and Kushtia. It is likely to ease in most regions,” the department reported.
In addition, BMD predicted light to moderate rainfall or thundershowers, accompanied by temporary gusty winds, across most of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions. Some areas are expected to experience moderate to very heavy rainfall.
Temperatures across the country may drop by 1-2 degrees Celsius during both day and night.
On Monday, Dinajpur in the Rangpur division recorded the country’s highest temperature at 38.6°C, while Bandarban in the Chattogram division saw the lowest temperature at 24.6°C early today.
Meanwhile, rainfall recorded in the past 24 hours, ending at 6 am today, reached 66 mm in Nikli of Dhaka Division.
The sunset in Dhaka is at 5:53 pm today, and sunrise is expected at 5:49 am tomorrow.
Two separate murder cases were filed today in connection with the deaths of a private service holder and a Madrasa student during the anti-discrimination student movement.
The first case was lodged by Ridwan Ahmed with Panchlaish police station, accusing former ministers Dr. Hasan Mahmud, Barrister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Naufel, and 127 others for the death of his nephew Sujan, 14. Sujan, the son of Belal Hossain from Beramara village in Noakhali’s Sadar Thana, was a student at Al Jamirul Hayat Madrasa in the city’s Chandgaon area. He was fatally shot in the Muradpur area on July 18.
The second case was filed by Jamal Uddin at Doublemooring police station, accusing 225 individuals, including Dr. Hasan Mahmud and Education Minister Barrister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Naufel, for the killing of his elder brother Alam, a private service holder, on August 5.
