Dhaka: Nearly 300 people, including 14 policemen, have lost their lives so far in the violence that broke out between the supporters of the ruling party and the protesters demanding the abolition of reservation in government jobs and the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in Bangladesh. Thousands of people have been injured in the violence.

The situation in Bangladesh has worsened to such an extent that an indefinite curfew has been imposed across the country. Also, internet services have been banned in the country to suppress the protests. Police are firing tear gas shells along with shooting at students who are damaging highways and government property.

Protesters clashed with police in 20 districts

Students are carrying out a non-cooperation campaign in the country. On Sunday, police forces and protesters clashed in at least 20 districts. The protesters want to maintain pressure on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to resign by holding continuous demonstrations.

What are the demands of the protesters?

The biggest question about the nationwide violence in Bangladesh is why the protesters are carrying out this deadly protest and what are their demands from the government. Actually, there is a provision of reservation law for government jobs in Bangladesh. 56 percent of government jobs are reserved under the reservation system in Bangladesh.

Reservation for the families of freedom fighters

Out of these jobs, 30 percent reservation is reserved for the families of freedom fighters of the 1971 Liberation War. Apart from this, 10 percent reservation is reserved for backward administrative districts and 10 percent reservation is reserved for women. Apart from this, five percent reservation is reserved for ethnic minority groups and one percent for disabled people.

What is the controversy regarding reservation?

In this too, the controversy in Bangladesh's reservation system is about the 30 percent reservation given to the families of freedom fighters. The protesting students say that the government is in favor of giving reservation to those who support the Sheikh Hasina government. The students allege that government jobs are not being given on the basis of merit.

Violent protests began last month

Violent protests broke out last month over Bangladesh's quota system of 30 percent reservation in government jobs. As the protests intensified, the Supreme Court reduced the quota to 5 percent, of which 3 percent went to relatives of fighters.