The Heady Days Of The Anti-Quota Movement: Student Struggles, The Fall Of The Government And The Challenges Of The New Government

 

The Heady Days Of The Anti-Quota Movement: Student Struggles, The Fall Of The Government And The Challenges Of The New Government

 

Professor Dr. Md. Jafar Ullah

Former Dean, Faculty of Agriculture

Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University

Dhaka, Bangladesh

(Written on 6 September 2024)

 

Evolution of the Quota System in Bangladesh

In 1972, an 80% quota was set for freedom fighters and backward communities, but in the face of meritorious students' demands, the unmerited quota was reduced to 60% in 1976 and a 40% job provision was introduced to hire on the basis of merit. In 1990, the movement to increase the job quota on the basis of merit started again and in 1996, the merit was increased from 40% to 55%. The government abolished the quota system in 2018 when the movement gained more momentum.

The 2024 Quota Verdict and the Rise of Student Protests

On June 5, 2024, when the High Court introduced the earlier quota system on the writ of two freedom fighters' children, the anti-quota demanding students again took to the streets. When the students' movement went out of control, the government moved the High Court's Appellate Division to set aside the June 5 order. Although the Appellate Division announced its verdict on July 5, reducing the quota to a minimum level, the anti-discrimination students started a one-point movement to overthrow the government based on the government's repressive measures against the agitating students, mass arrests, extensive police brutality and attacks on the agitating students by members of the pro-government Chhatra League and Awami League in various parts of the country.

From an Anti-Quota Protest to a Nationwide Anti-Discrimination Movement

This movement first started as anti-quota movement, but later, due to the discriminatory behavior of the government, the movement took the name Anti-discrimination Students Movement (Boishommobirodhi Chatra Andolon). In this movement against the arbitrary behavior of the government and fascism, the vast masses of the country gave their full support to this movement and took to the streets with the students. In this situation, the army chief announced that he and his three armies would remain with the people. As a result, Sheikh Hasina, the then Prime Minister, resigned and fled the country. After his resignation, most of the MPs, party leaders and identified individuals who supported the Awami government also covered up. Bangladeshi Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Eunus, on the initiative of the winning students took the power and formed an interim government three days after the victory.

Catalysts That Intensified the Movement

Certain events are considered as catalysts to take this Anti-discrimination Students Movement to its final stage. For example, in a press conference, Sheikh Hasina indirectly insulted the protesting students as Razakars, the killing of Rokeya University student Abu Sayed and the water distributor in Azampur, Dhaka, the first time in the movement, private university students took to the streets, etc.

Public Grievances Behind the Success of the Movement

The biggest reason for the success of this movement is that public suffering has reached extreme levels during Hasina's government, prices of daily commodities have increased abnormally, police brutality and misbehavior with people has increased to an unbearable level, formal judgments have been given in courts, rules in offices and educational institutions have increased. External placement of party people, etc. According to various sources, it is known that more than 800 students were martyred by the police in this movement. Besides, innumerable students are injured and are being treated in the hospital. Mention, Madrasah students also participate in this Anti-discrimination Students Movement.

Restoring Law and Order: The Interim Government's First Challenge

After assuming power, the first and most important challenge of this new government was to restore law and order situation in the country. It may be mentioned that after the victory of the students on July 5th, there was virtually no government in the country for three days. There was immense public anger against the police as the police acted for  the previous government's through abduction, murders, and suppression of opposition. Because of this, the police members also hid to avoid public anger. As a result, there was no police in the country during the first few days of assuming power.

The Government's Initial Successes

After taking the charge, the government has already solved this problem to a large extent. On the 5th of this month, one month of the new government has passed.  Although some critical cases have not been resolved yet, in most cases the government has succeeded in the initial emergency work and the country has already started to normalize. To commemorate the first month of the fall of the Awami government, the anti-discrimination students celebrated the Martyrs' March on the 5th of September in memory of the martyred students in the movement.

Investigating Past Abuses and Ensuring Accountability

The interim government of Yunus has already started an investigation into the misdeeds of the previous government. Some people involved in abduction, murders and extortions have already been brought into custody, including taking legal action against suspected individuals and institutions in some cases.

Political Dialogue and Institutional Reforms

In the meantime, Dr. Yunus held a dialogue with the country's political leaders and exchanged views with party leaders on a possible date for the next election.  This kind of dialogue will also play a role in formulating anti-discrimination policies of the government.  Meanwhile, the education advisor has also informed about the formulation of effective policies to increase the quality of the education system. Steps have also already been taken to appoint Vice-Chancellors in the government Universities of the country. The Home Affairs Adviser has also been able to bring progress in bringing order to the country's police administration. Judiciary system has been launched in full swing by appointing new judges in the courts of the country. The country's legal framework has been activated, though not fully. Such progress in such a short period of time has made the interim government's success recognized in the world.

Distinctive Features of the Student-Led Movement

Some of the more special features of this movement were that it was not sponsored by any particular political party. Under the leadership of some patriotic wise-students, the movement was being conducted with some periodic characteristic themes. On the day of victory, some political parties pretended to be part of the movement but gave the credit of the movement entirely to the students without giving credit to their own leadership.

Students' Vision for a New Bangladesh

At the moment of victory, the students refused to govern the country in the old previous style and they also expressed their will to rule the country using anti-discrimination spirit. To execute that will, two student leaders have also been included in the advisory council of the interim government. According to the student leaders, not only should they have representatives in the government, they should also be in the field to oppose the wrong or misguided actions of the government that will be in the opposite to the antidiscrimination spirit.

The Need for Expert Participation in National Reconstruction

We can hope that these patriotic students will be able to play a role in the planning and implementation of all the development works of the country to eliminate discrimination and injustice from the state and society in the future. But one fact should we mention here that, for the management and development of a particular sector, the help of the experts of the concerned organization must be taken. If not, miscreants who believe in the fascist spirit of the previous government, may join and try to mislead the leadership engaged in running the country for achieving the desired goal of the movement.

Short-Term and Long-Term State Reforms

It is also true that to carry out all the necessary reforms for the country, the interim revolutionary government would need a long period of time, might be four to more. As, it is not possible to make real and proper changes in all sectors in a short period of time. There could be two levels of state-reforms; short term and long term. For example, there is a claim to replace the current constitution of the country by a new one, which is almost absurd during the interim regime. In my opinion, a new parliament will be needed to enact a new constitution. However, in the short term, this government can take the initiative to make some necessary changes in the current constitution, considering the purpose of the revolution, by issuing ordinances from the office of the President of the country and securing some rules of the Supreme Court.

Constitutional and Institutional Reform Agenda

It is also being demanded that the complete restructuring of the Election Commission should is also needed. There is also another demand to change the current national anthem as it does not reflect our country. Sudents demand that both the constitution and national anthem should held the anti-discrimination spirit. The demand to reorganize the RAB incorporating smart, patriotic and skilled members from the police, army and BGB in an effort to protect the country's law and order, to take prompt actions against miscreants, corrupt businessmen, bankers and political crooks who assisted the previous government, also to bring a peaceful state condition.

Depoliticizing the Public Administration

The previous government had a dictatorial policy - appointing dishonest people of the Awami clan to the highest positions in various institutions, starting from the office, court, police, military, in all the sectors. We hope that this revolutionary government will make arrangements to remove these bigoted people and appoint qualified and honest people to those high positions. Especially ministries are still being run by former awami oriented Secretaries. To implement the new decisions of the government, the Pro-Awami secretaries of all ministries and also in the police department should be removed as soon as possible.

Economic Recovery, Anti-Corruption and Agricultural Priorities

However, taking some short-term measures to curb the corruption of various institutions is part of the main responsibility of the current revolutionary government. At the same time, this government can focus on matters related to the interests of the remittance fighters, including bringing stability to the country's garment sector, bringing the money earned by the remittance fighters to the country through proper financial arrangements. If the money smuggled out of the country is brought back to the country, those money could be used for the development of the country.

Conclusion: Reform, Good Governance and Sustainable Development

Another policy that this government must pay attention to is increasing support for the agricultural sector that provides food security for the nation's people. Agricultural experts believe that making agriculture more sustainable, productive and export-oriented will strengthen not only food security but also the country's broader economic development. The long-term success of the July Movement will ultimately depend on whether its aspirations for justice, accountability, institutional reform and inclusive development can be translated into lasting national progress.

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