Dhaka; Student leaders in Bangladesh have urged citizens to join a nationwide civil disobedience campaign, starting Sunday, to pressure Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government to meet their demands. The call comes after a deadly police crackdown on protesters last month, which killed over 200 people, including at least 32 children, according to the UN.
The protests, led by the Students Against Discrimination group, began in early July against a quota scheme for government jobs, which was later scaled back by the country’s top court. However, the demonstrations turned violent after police and pro-government groups attacked protesters.
The government responded with a nationwide curfew, troop deployments, and a shutdown of the mobile internet network for 11 days. The crackdown has been widely condemned by foreign governments and rights groups, with the EU’s foreign policy chief calling for an international probe into the use of “excessive and lethal force” against protesters.
Students are demanding a public apology from Prime Minister Hasina, the dismissal of several ministers, and the reopening of schools and universities. They have also called for a halt to overseas remittance payments through banks, non-payment of taxes and utility bills, and strikes by government workers.
The situation remains tense, with another round of nationwide rallies planned for Saturday. Student leaders have urged citizens to join the protests, saying, “Please don’t stay at home. Join your nearest protest march.”
Bangladesh Students Urge Nationwide Civil Disobedience in Prote
Prime Minister Hasina, who has ruled Bangladesh since 2009, faces growing calls to resign. Her government has been accused of misusing state institutions to entrench its hold on power and stamp out dissent.
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