Previously, Bangladesh Supreme Court’s Appellate Division had ordered a four-week-long status quo on the judgment from the High Court to reinstate the freedom fighter quotas for first and second-class government jobs.
In a separate move, the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL)’s decision to counter the movement further intensified tensions.
With the intensification of the anti-quota movement, the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) has made a strong statement claiming that protesters were intentionally politicizing the movement. In a press briefing at Madhur Canteen of the University of Dhaka, BCL President Saddam Hussain warned demonstrators against using reforms as a weapon for their own political agendas. He also said that the Chhatra League is ready to confront any threat to public peace.
“The BNP is also trying to show their support for those who were primarily responsible for spoiling the government recruitment process.” Saddam Hussain stated, signaling a direct challenge to the opposition. By portraying themselves as a counterforce, the BCL escalated tensions and demonstrated potential violence against the anti-quota protesters and student activists.
On the ground, Students and job-seekers blocked Shahbagh and other key areas in Dhaka to make their demands for quota reforms heard. At around 5:00 PM on July 11, protesting students broke through police barricades and gathered at the Shahbagh intersection.
In the face of police presence with armed vehicles, the rallies pushed forward, chanting slogans like “The movement cannot be stopped by threats, movements cannot be stopped by attacks.” In some spots, protesters managed to breach police barriers. The demonstrators from various halls and departments of DU took positions in front of BSMMU. Meanwhile, a procession from Jagannath University headed towards the Shahbagh intersection through Matsya Bhaban.
At one point, tensions arose, as leaders and activists of BCL assembled near Modhur Canteen on Dhaka University campus.
Earlier this week, since Sunday (7th July), the protesters’ “Bangla Blockade” initiative shut down key roads and intersections of Dhaka, causing widespread disruption.
The BCL’s signaling reflects a growing divide in public opinion on the quota issue. On 11 July, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader criticized the quota protesters as flexing muscle against the highest court of the country, which he addressed as unwarranted and illegal. Additionally, the Home Minister said that the protesters are ‘Crossing their limits.’
However, over the first weeks of July, the anti-quota movement, seeking reforms to the existing government jobs recruitment system, had gained momentum. Despite police and BCL’s obstruction, the protesters vowed to continue their movement until their demands were met.
