What Led To Violent Protests In Bangladesh, Army coup against Sheikh Hasina

Dhaka: Sheikh Hasina on Monday resigned as Prime Minister of Bangladesh after facing a military coup which has pushed the country towards an uncertainty. Hasina has fled the country and taken temporarily shelter in India amid reports that she has applied for asylum in UK. Britain is yet to respond to Hasina's request. Meanwhile, the Army has taken control in Dhaka till the time an interim government is formed and has appealed the people to cooperate.

What triggered violent protests in Bangladesh?

Bangladesh has been buring for several days in wake of a controversial quota move by the government. 

At first, the demonstrations were against a quota system that set aside up to 30% of government jobs for family members of veterans who fought in Bangladesh’s 1971 war of independence against Pakistan.

Protesters said the system was discriminatory and benefited supporters of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League party, which led the independence movement.

The furor highlighted the extent of economic distress in Bangladesh, where exports have fallen and foreign exchange reserves are running low. There’s a lack of quality jobs for young graduates, who increasingly seek the more stable and lucrative government jobs.

As the violence crested, the Supreme Court last month ruled that the veterans’ quota must be cut to 5%, with 93% of jobs to be allocated on merit. The remaining 2% will be set aside for members of ethnic minorities and transgender and disabled people.

The government accepted the decision, and restored the internet thinking that the situation would ease. But the protests grew, with new demands for investigations into the deadly crackdowns, and eventually for Hasina and her cabinet to step down.

Dhaka unrest implications for India 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meeting on Monday with Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Union Ministers S Jaishankar and Nirmala Sitharaman. 

Given that Bangladesh under Hasina was a reliable partner, her ouster may not have positive outcomes for India and may impact its economic and security ties with the neighbour.

New Delhi, besides helping out its neighbour in this hour of distress, will have to keep a close watch on security implications and safety of Indian nationals in Bangladesh, incase the situation further deteriorates.  

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