Revolutionary Socialist Movement (Pakistan), Baloch Student Organisation, Progressive Students Collective (Pakistan), Labour Qaumi Movement (Pakistan), Pakistan National Trade Union Federation, REVOLUTION, international communist youth organization, League for the Fifth International, 19. July 2024
We stand in solidarity with the courageous students protests which have broken out at universities nationwide.
The movement was sparked by a decision of the High Court on 6 June to re-establish the quota which reserves 30 per cent of public sector jobs for children of registered freedom fighters from the 1971 war of independence.
That quota system was originally established for those who had fought in the war, but extended in 1997 to their children and grandchildren. It was abolished in 2018 following widespread protests, but has now been reimposed.
Hundreds of thousands of students have mobilized against the reintroduction of the quota, which is primarily designed to benefit the children of supporters of the authoritarian prime minister, Hasina, in power since 2009. The protests have spread nationwide, with the students receiving widespread public support.The protests are fuelled by anger among the hundreds of thousands of unemployed graduates, who number at least 800,000 according to official figures.
The ruling right-wing nationalist Awami League has launched a crackdown, denouncing the students as enemies of independence and modern-day Razakars, the collaborators with Pakistan during the 1971 war.
On 16 July, the police and paramilitary troops were deployed against the protests. The pro-government student Bangladesh Chhatra League attacked protesters with bricks and bamboo rods. At least six people have been killed and more than 300 injured, many critically.
We condemn these attacks and the role of the Bangladeshi government in instigating the violence and repression. We express our solidarity with protesting students.
The Bangladeshi government is attempting to escape the economic crisis by driving down the living conditions of students and the working class generally. The quota system aims to deliver privileges for government supporters and drive a wedge between students and the masses.
On 18th July, a nationwide strike has been launched, with several trade unions participating. The fighting has spread all over the country with at least 32 people being killed by the repressive forces and thousands injured. The movement has clearly raised the demand for the resignation of the government.
Such a movement should have as its aim not only the immediate goal of ending the crackdown, but opening the way for a wider offensive against Hasina’s authoritarian regime by workers and youth.
We appeal to all student, youth and working class organisations to denounce the repression and organize solidarity with the courageous student movement in Bangladesh.