Home
+
Published : 16 Jul 2024, 12:06 PM
The Bangladesh Chhatra League and students demonstrating against the quota system in government jobs have announced duelling rallies in front of the Raju Sculpture at Dhaka University.
The protestors held a press conference at 9:30pm on Monday, saying that they would stage anti-quota protest programmes and rallies on university campuses across Bangladesh at 3pm on Tuesday.
Following the announcement, the BCL also called for a counter-rally programme around 12am in front of the Raju Sculpture at 1:30pm on Tuesday.
BCL members have said the counter-rally will be held to protest against the 'mockery of Bangladeshi independence', the 'attempt to whitewash the disgusting genocide by the Razakars', unrest in the name of the quota movement and ‘brutal attacks’ on students and leaders.
The protests against quotas reignited after the High Court scrapped a 2018 government notice that repealed the quota system. There have been several rounds of protests since.
Students and job seekers reacted negatively after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina addressed their movement during a press conference on Sunday, leading to a protest on Sunday night.
On Monday, the protesters gathered at Dhaka University’s Raju Sculpture. Later, BCL members also announced a counter-rally programme in the afternoon at the same location.
The two opposing sides later clashed on the campus as the protestors and the BCL members chased each other and threw volleys of brickbats. Several students were severely injured after being attacked by BCL members with rods and bats.
Around 300 students were taken to Dhaka Medical College for treatment following the violence.
