6 students killed in protest
Six students were killed during protests in Bangladesh against the government job quota system. Anti-quota protesters and supporters of the ruling Awami League party engaged in confrontations, resulting in over 400 injuries. (Photo: AFP)
Schools, universities shutdown
In response to the protest, the government has closed schools and universities nationwide. The education ministry mandated the shutdown for "the security of the students," according to spokesman M A Khair. (Photo: Reuters)
Protesters demanding abolition of government quota
Protesters were demanding the abolition of a quota reserving 30% of government jobs for family members of veterans from Bangladesh's 1971 war of independence. (Photo: AFP)
Protests at Dhaka University and Jahangirnagar University
Violence erupted at Jahangirnagar University as protesters gathered in front of the official residence of the university's vice-chancellor on July 16, 2024. Clashes also spread across the campus of Dhaka University, the country's leading public university in the capital. (Photo: Reuters)
Protesters march with Bangladeshi flags
Anti-quota protesters marched with Bangladeshi flags and sticks as they clashed with the Bangladesh Chhatra League, the student wing of the ruling Awami League party, at the University of Dhaka in Dhaka, Bangladesh. (Photo: Reuters)
Police fire tear gas
Authorities and students reported that police fired tear gas and charged with batons during violent overnight clashes between a pro-government student body and student protesters. (Photo: PTI)
Protesters call quota appointments discriminatory
Protesters argue that government quota appointments are discriminatory and should be based on merit. Some have even claimed that the current system benefits groups supporting Prime minister Sheikh Hasina. (Photo: AP)
Cabinet ministers criticise students
Cabinet ministers criticised the protesters and accused them of exploiting students' emotions. (Photo: AP)
Sheikh Hasina’s reaction on ongoing protest
Reacting to the ongoing protest, Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina said "Abandoning the dream of their own life, leaving behind their families, parents, and everything, they joined the war with whatever they had."
Chief Justice urges students to return to classes
The veterans' quota system was halted after mass student protests in 2018, following a court order. However, last month, Bangladesh’s high court nullified that decision, reinstating the system and igniting widespread student protests. Last week, the supreme court suspended the high court’s order for four weeks, with the chief justice urging protesting students to return to their classes, promising a decision within four weeks. (Photo: Reuters)