Return of 'Razakars' to Bangladesh's political discourse after 53 years
Protests intensify following remarks by PM Sheikh Hasina, labeling protestors as "Razakars"
Dhaka: Violence in Bangladesh has resulted in over 130 deaths as students call for reforms to the quota system for government jobs. The protests intensified after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina referred to the protestors as "Razakars," a term historically associated with the pro-Pakistani force that opposed Bangladesh's independence during the 1971 War of Independence.
The protests reached a critical point this week when student activists from Dhaka University, the country's largest university, clashed violently with police and Awami League supporters.
The controversial quota system reserves up to 30% of government jobs for the descendants of veterans from the 1971 war. Protesters argue that this system is discriminatory and disproportionately benefits supporters of Prime Minister Hasina's Awami League. They demand a shift to a merit-based system. Hasina's comments at a public event further fueled the protests.
"If not the grandchildren of the freedom fighters, then who will get quota benefits? The grandchildren of the 'Razakars'?" Hasina asked. "This is my question. I want to ask the people of the nation. If the protesters don't comply, I can do nothing. They can continue their protest. If protesters damage properties or attack cops, the law will take its course. We can't help."
The "Razakars" were a paramilitary force recruited by the Pakistani army during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, consisting mainly of pro-Pakistani Bengalis and Urdu-speaking Biharis. They were implicated in atrocities, including mass killings, rapes, and torture. Civilian deaths during the war are estimated between 300,000 and 3 million, leaving deep scars in the national consciousness.
In 2010, Hasina's government established the International Crimes Tribunal to prosecute those accused of war crimes during 1971. This was part of her electoral promises to address historical injustices. The tribunal has convicted several individuals, mostly from the now-banned Jamaat-e-Islami party.
In December 2019, the government published a list of 10,789 identified "Razakars," marking the first official recognition of these collaborators. This list included prominent figures and aimed to ensure historical accountability.
The protests are rooted in the quota system for government jobs, which reserves significant portions for descendants of freedom fighters. Established in 1972 and briefly abolished in 2018 before being reinstated, this system has been contentious. Critics argue it disproportionately benefits Awami League supporters, limiting opportunities for other qualified candidates.
"They are protesting against the repressive nature of the state," said Mubashar Hasan, a Bangladesh expert at the University of Oslo, to AFP. "Protesters are questioning Hasina's leadership, accusing her of clinging to power by force. The students are calling her a dictator."
Student protests against the quota system have a history in Bangladesh. The current wave began after the system's reinstatement, followed by the Supreme Court's suspension of the order pending a government appeal, leaving students frustrated. Their demands for a merit-based system feel ignored.
The grievances extend beyond the quota system, including high youth unemployment and a stagnant economy. Public sector jobs are highly sought after in a country with limited economic opportunities.
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ACB case against Sisodia, Jain a political move to pressurise them: AAP
New Delhi (PTI): The Aam Aadmi Party on Wednesday said the ACB's case against its leaders Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain was registered to "pressurise and scare" them as they were recently appointed as incharge and co-incharge of Punjab party unit.
The Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) of the Delhi government has filed a case against former deputy CM and education minister Sisodia, and ex-PWD minister Jain, over alleged corruption in the construction of government schools.
The scam is pegged at around Rs 2,000 crore and involved awarding contracts at highly inflated rates with classrooms reportedly built at Rs 24.86 lakh each, nearly five times the usual cost, the ACB added in a statement.
Reacting to the development, the BJP said there was corruption in the construction of schools in Delhi under the previous AAP government.
AAP national media in-charge Anurag Dhanda in a press conference dismissed the charges and said the case was a "political" move to "pressurise and scare" Sisodia and Jain.
"The way cases are being registered against Sisodia and other leaders, I feel there could soon be cases against him for occupying the minister's seat, for forgetting to put a comma or a full stop in a document," Dhanda said.
Dhanda added that the BJP government does no work, instead it files cases against AAP leaders on every matter.
"It can not be a mere coincidence that earlier a case was registered against party leader Durgesh Pathak when he became co-incharge of Gujarat. Now, a case has been registered against Sisodia and Satyendar Jain who are in charge and co-incharge of the Punjab unit of AAP," Dhanda stated.
Earlier in March, the AAP appointed Sisodia as in-charge and former minister Jain as co-in-charge of the Punjab unit of the party.
"The BJP should understand it well that AAP leaders are not scared by their agencies like ED and CBI or such empty threats," Dhanda added.
Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva demanded the ACB to probe the role of then chief minister of Delhi Arvind Kejriwal in the alleged scam.
"This is a decisive moment in the fight against corruption of AAP and its previous government in Delhi," he said.
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