Download PDFBangladesh is a country in South Asia, recently the country witnessed student-led protests that have culminated in the forced-removal of the prime minister. The protests began in June 2024, one of the main reasons for the protests is growing frustration with the government.
Many people in Bangladesh believe that the government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has not been doing enough to address important issues like corruption, economic problems. Many young people lack jobs. The students also demanded an end to rules that set aside up to 30% of government jobs for the descendants of veterans. The veterans are those who fought during the country’s 1971 war of independence from Pakistan.
Protesters said that the law benefited supporters of Hasina’s Awami League, which led that liberation struggle and who were already a part of the rich people. Only 56% percent of civil service jobs are available for the marginalised groups, taken together with the quotas, as only that percentage is awarded based on merit.
Corruption is a big issue’ in Bangladesh and not enough is being done about it. This has resulted in people losing trust in the government, and many others believe Hasina did not act in the best interests of the ordinary people and the country. This protest has led to her resignation after 15 years in power.
The economy of Bangladesh has also been struggling which has made many people’s lives difficult. In Bangladesh the cost of living is constantly rising, and jobs are becoming scarcer, especially for young people. Young people feel that they do not have enough opportunities to build a good future for themselves leading to anger and frustration.
The recent protests were triggered by a sharp increase in fuel prices. In August 2024, the government announced a significant hike in fuel prices, which made petrol and diesel much more expensive. This decision hit the people hard, as the cost of transportation and everyday goods suddenly went up.
Many people, especially those with low income, already find it difficult to afford necessities. The fuel price hike was the final straw for many Bangladeshis, with many already struggling. The protests have quickly spread across the country.
The protesters want the government to reverse the fuel price hike, take action against corruption, and create more jobs in the country to improve the economy. They are also calling for greater freedom of speech and more transparency.
The government’s response to the protests has been mixed, the authorities have tried to address the protesters’ concerns by promising reforms but in other instances they used force to disperse the crowds, leading to clashes between protesters and police. Many people have died in the during the clashes.
The situation in Bangladesh remains tense. The protests show that many people are unhappy with the way things are going in the country. Whether the government will be able to address these issues and restore trust among its citizens remains to be seen. For now, the protests are a powerful reminder of the challenges facing Bangladesh. The people are demanding change, and it is up to the government to listen and take meaningful action to address the concerns of its citizens.
This article was submitted on 20 August 2024. You may republish this article, so long as you credit the authors and Karibu! Online (www.Karibu.org.za), and do not change the text. Please include a link back to the original article.
