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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Punjab: Blast near army cantt area in Amritsar, hours after explosion in Jalandhar
Chandigarh (PTI): An explosion occurred near the army cantonment area in Khasa late Tuesday night in Punjab's Amritsar, the second such incident which took place around three hours after a blast outside the headquarters of the Border Security Force's Punjab Frontier in Jalandhar.
According to the police, an investigation into both blast incidents is currently underway, and no injuries have been reported.
The first explosion happened around 8 pm in Jalandhar, while the second blast occurred at approximately 11 pm in Amritsar.
Amritsar (Rural) Senior Superintendent of Police Suhail Mir Qasim stated that police received reports of a loud sound at around 11 pm on a road in Khasa. "Our teams arrived on the scene immediately," he said.
Preliminary inspections indicated that someone had thrown an explosive device towards the boundary wall, leading to the explosion, according to the SSP.
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Police mentioned that a piece of a tin sheet covering the boundary wall had fallen as a result of the blast.
Following the explosion, a team of forensic and bomb disposal squad visited the site to collect samples.
Amritsar Rural Superintendent of Police Aditya S. Warrier, who also visited the scene, confirmed that further investigations are ongoing. Police added that a team of army officials also assessed the situation, after which the area was cordoned off.
CCTV footage from the vicinity shows the explosion occurring at night. A local villager reported that his family was awakened by the loud sound and came outside their home to see what had happened.
Before the Amritsar explosion, a blast took place outside the headquarters of the Border Security Force's Punjab Frontier in Jalandhar district around 8 pm on Tuesday, causing panic in the area.
CCTV footage captured the explosion, which resulted in a cloud of smoke. An unidentified man was seen running for cover following the blast.
The blast ripped apart a scooter, damaged a traffic signal pole and windowpanes of a nearby shop. Locals recounted that the scooter, which was parked outside the BSF headquarters, Punjab Frontier, caught fire shortly after a loud sound. It belonged to Gurpreet Singh, who regularly delivers parcels in the area.
Talking to reporters on Tuesday night, one of Gurpreet's relatives said that the scooter caught fire as he was approaching it. He immediately called his father and informed him about the incident.
Jalandhar Police Commissioner Dhanpreet Kaur confirmed to reporters late Tuesday that an Activa scooter parked near the gate caught fire suddenly. She stated that Gurpreet is fully cooperating with the investigation.
Witnesses nearby reported hearing a loud sound following the explosion.
On April 27, an explosion occurred at a freight corridor rail track in Shambhu in Patiala. Police had arrested four members of a pro-Khalistan terror module, backed by Pakistan's ISI, for the blast.
In light of these incidents, opposition parties have condemned the AAP government for its handling of the situation.
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Singh Badal criticised Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who also holds the home portfolio, over the recent blasts.
"Three blasts in 10 days, two in a single day, May 5: Jalandhar outside BSF headquarters and Sri Amritsar Sahib Army area, April 27: Rajpura rail track. Continued intelligence failures and the collapse of law and order are a matter of grave concern. Chief Minister @BhagwantMann, who is also the state Home Minister, is busy with mimicry and cheap politics. He has forfeited the right to remain in office," Badal said in a post on X.
Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring also slammed the Mann government over the two blasts.
"Back-to-back blasts have shaken Punjab. Yesterday in Jalandhar, and now near Khasa Camp in Amritsar, this is deeply alarming. Who is trying to destabilise our state? Why has the Punjab Government failed to prevent such incidents? What is the Government of India doing? Repeated lapses point to a serious breakdown of intelligence and security. Punjab's peace cannot be compromised. We demand accountability and immediate action," Warring said in a post on X.
