1972, the country’s founding father, Sheikh Mujibur Rehman, introduced a quota system, reserving a percentage of government jobs for children and grandchildren of people who fought in the 1971 war of independence from Pakistan.
Under the system, 44 percent of first- and second-class government jobs are “merit” based.
Government's relentless action against students
The government has deployed riot police who fired tear gas and charged with batons on Tuesday during violent clashes between the protesters and a pro-government student group. Paramilitary troops were also deployed across several districts amid heightened tensions.
Bangladesh imposes shutdown as death toll from student protests mounts
Hasina, who has been forcefully in power since 2009, referred to them as “Razakars”.
In Bangladesh, Razakar is an offensive term that refers to those who betrayed Bangladesh in the 1971 war by collaborating with Pakistan.
“Why do they have so much resentment towards freedom fighters? If the grandchildren of the freedom fighters don’t get quota benefits, should the grandchildren of Razakars get the benefit?” she asked at a news conference
In response, protesters chanted the slogan, “Who are you? Who am I? Razakar, Razakar,” during a protest at Dhaka University.
Dewan Wazer Chowdhury,
Creative director-Daily Dazzling Dawn.
1
2
3
4
.svg)
