‘Avoid Travel, Minimize…’: India’s Advisory For Citizens Amid Bangladesh Anti-Quota Protests
‘Avoid Travel, Minimize…’: India’s Advisory For Citizens Amid Bangladesh Anti-Quota Protests
New Delhi: India’s High Commission in Dhaka on Thursday issued an advisory for Indians residing in Bangladesh due to the ongoing unrest in the country. The student protesters demanding reforms in the quota system for government jobs had announced plans for a complete nationwide shutdown in Bangladesh on Thursday.
This decision comes in response to the actions of security forces, which resulted in the deaths of at least six people, including four students, across the country. A key coordinator of the movement, Asif Mahmud, announced on Facebook that all establishments, except for hospitals and emergency services, will remain closed, and only ambulance services will be allowed to operate.
India’s Travel Advisory For Citizens In Bangladesh
“In view of the ongoing situation in Bangladesh, the Indian community members and the Indian students residing in Bangladesh are advised to avoid travel and minimize their movement outside their living premises,” the advisory read.
In case of any urgency or need for assistance, please reach out to the High Commission and our Assistant High Commissions at the following 24-hour Emergency numbers:
High Commission of India, Dhaka +880-1937400591 (also on WhatsApp)
Assistant High Commission of India, Chittagong +880-1814654797 / +880-1814654799 (also on WhatsApp)
Assistant High Commission of India, Rajshahi +880-1788148696 (also on WhatsApp)
Assistant High Commission of India, Sylhet +880-1313076411 (also on WhatsApp)
Assistant High Commission of India, Khulna +880-1812817799 (also on WhatsApp)
Why Are Protests Taking Place?
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in an address to the nation on Wednesday, said that she “deeply regretted” the casualties in the violence during student protests. She announced that a judicial inquiry committee would be formed to investigate the incidents. “I believe our students will get justice (in the apex court). They will not be disappointed,” she said in an unscheduled nationwide address. This statement came a day after six people were killed as the protests spread across major cities in the country on Tuesday and continued into Wednesday.
Under the current quota system in Bangladesh, 56 per cent of government jobs are reserved: 30 per cent for descendants of the 1971 Liberation War freedom fighters, 10 per cent for backward administrative districts, 10 per cent for women, 5 per cent for ethnic minority groups, and 1 per cent for handicapped people.
Each year, nearly 3,000 government jobs open up to nearly 400,000 graduates. Protestors are campaigning for the reform of this system, arguing that it prevents meritorious students from being recruited for first-class and second-class government jobs.
(With inputs from PTI)
