Deadly Clashes Prompt Bangladesh to Shut Down Educational Institutions

In the wake of violent protests against the government’s job quota system, Bangladesh has indefinitely closed all educational institutions across the country, Arab News reported yesterday.

The protests, led by students, have been ongoing since early July, with demonstrators demanding reforms to the system that reserves 30% of public service jobs for families of 1971 war veterans.

The situation escalated on Sunday after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s comments comparing the protesters to collaborators of the Pakistani military during the 1971 liberation war.

This sparked further outrage, leading to clashes between students and security forces that turned deadly, with at least six people killed and over 400 injured.

Faced with the escalating violence, the government has now ordered the closure of all secondary schools, universities, and medical colleges until further notice, prioritizing the safety of students.