NEW DELHI: India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday urged Indian nationals in Bangladesh to stay indoors and limit movement amid escalating protests against the government’s job quota system.
The advisory, issued by the High Commission of India in Dhaka, comes as violent demonstrations sweep the nation, resulting in over 2,500 injuries.
The MEA emphasised the importance of adhering to the advisory, stating, “Indian nationals in Bangladesh are requested to follow the advisory issued by the High Commission of India in Dhaka. The High Commission and Assistant High Commissions remain available on helpline numbers for any assistance Indian nationals require.”
The protests, primarily led by university students, have been ongoing for weeks in Dhaka, demanding an end to the reservation system in public sector jobs. The system currently reserves more than half of government jobs for specific groups, including children of war veterans from the 1971 liberation war against Pakistan.
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In 2018, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina promised to scrap this quota system following similar protests. However, the Bangladesh High Court overturned this decision in June, sparking renewed student outrage. The Supreme Court has set a date of August 7 to hear the government’s appeal against the High Court’s decision.
The situation has intensified with violent clashes between protesters and law enforcement, including members of the student wing of Hasina’s Awami League party. Demonstrators have torched government buildings and clashed with police using rubber bullets, tear gas, and noise grenades. The violence has claimed at least 39 lives this week, including 32 on Thursday, according to AFP.
The MEA’s advisory highlights the precarious situation and advises the Indian community in Bangladesh to avoid local travel and minimize their movement outside their residences. “Given 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 stated.
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The High Commission has also provided emergency contact numbers for Indians needing assistance.
On social media, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterated the advisory, emphasising that the High Commission and Assistant High Commissions are on standby to assist Indian nationals in Bangladesh.
The situation remains volatile, with protesters setting fire to the country’s state broadcaster on Thursday, a day after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina appeared on the network seeking to quell the unrest. The government has also implemented a nationwide internet blackout in response to the protests.