By: Samara Ashrat
The student protests emerged in response to a Supreme Court ruling on government job quotas, a matter of significant national importance. The government recognizes the right to peaceful protest and has always encouraged dialogue and lawful expression of dissent. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government has always been open to dialogue and has repeatedly called for discussions with student representatives to address their concerns. The recent adjustment of the job quota system is a direct response to the grievances raised by the protesters.
However, the situation escalated due to the involvement of politically motivated groups aiming to destabilize the country. The student protests, initially peaceful, were infiltrated by politically motivated groups aiming to incite violence and chaos. The violence during the protests was not a spontaneous act by genuine student protesters but a coordinated effort by trained individuals and groups with ulterior motives. These elements infiltrated the peaceful protests with the intent to incite violence and create chaos, undermining public order and safety.
The precision and coordination of the attacks on public property, law enforcement personnel, and even bystanders indicate a level of planning and training that goes beyond the capabilities of ordinary citizens or students. This orchestrated violence aimed to destabilize the government and disrupt the peace and security of the nation.
A Peaceful Student Protest Has Become Political Due to BNP, Jamaat, and Shibir
The Government of Bangladesh acknowledges the initial peaceful nature of the student protests regarding the job quota system. The students’ concerns were heard, and the government was committed to addressing their grievances through dialogue and policy adjustments.
Unfortunately, the protests were infiltrated and manipulated by political elements, notably the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Jamaat-e-Islami, and its student wing, Islami Chhatra Shibir. These groups have a long history of attempting to destabilize the government through various means, including inciting unrest and violence.
The BNP, Jamaat, and Shibir have exploited the legitimate concerns of students to further their political agenda. Their involvement has shifted the focus from genuine student issues to a broader attempt to undermine the government and create chaos. Evidence indicates that these groups provided logistical support, coordination, and even training to individuals to escalate the protests into violent confrontations.
Impact of Political Interference
This political interference has not only diverted attention from the students’ original demands but has also led to widespread violence, resulting in tragic loss of life and property damage. The coordinated nature of the attacks and the level of violence witnessed are clear indications of the involvement of trained and organized elements, rather than spontaneous actions by students.
The government’s primary responsibility is to ensure the safety and security of all citizens. The escalation of violence necessitated a robust response to restore order and protect lives. The deployment of security forces was a measured action aimed at curbing the influence of these politically motivated groups and preventing further chaos.
Army Deployed to Assist Civil Administration and Maintain Law and Order
The deployment of the army was a strategic decision to reinforce the capacity of the civil administration in managing a complex and volatile situation. The civil administration was facing significant challenges due to the intensity of the protests and the resulting violence. The army’s role was to provide additional support and resources to ensure that public order could be restored effectively and that the safety of all citizens, including protesters, could be secured. Measures were taken to ensure that the use of force was limited to what was necessary to restore order and protect public safety.
Handling Political Unrest with the Same Precision as Natural Calamities
The army is highly skilled in handling various crises, including natural calamities, where it has a proven track record of effective and efficient response. This experience was leveraged to manage the political unrest with similar precision and organization. The objective was to use the army’s expertise in logistics, coordination, and crowd management to stabilize the situation and support the efforts of the civil administration.
Throughout the deployment, the army worked in close coordination with civil authorities, including the police and local administration, to manage the unrest effectively. The collaboration ensured a unified approach to addressing the crisis, with the army providing logistical support and additional personnel to assist in maintaining public order.
The army’s involvement was intended to be a temporary measure to stabilize the situation and create a conducive environment for dialogue and negotiation. Efforts are ongoing to address the root causes of the unrest and to engage with student representatives and other stakeholders to reach a peaceful resolution.
Concluding Remarks
The deployment of the army was a necessary measure to support the civil administration in managing a challenging and rapidly evolving situation. The experience and expertise of the army in handling crises, whether natural or political, played a crucial role in restoring law and order and ensuring public safety. The government’s primary focus remains on addressing the legitimate concerns of the students through constructive dialogue and maintaining a commitment to democratic principles and transparency. Efforts are ongoing to improve the flow of accurate information and combat the spread of fake news, which has contributed to misinformation and panic. The government continues to encourage peaceful protests and lawful expression of dissent, reinforcing its commitment to democratic values. The recent adjustment of the job quota system is a testament to this commitment, responding directly to the grievances raised by the protesters. However, the infiltration and manipulation of the protests by politically motivated groups, such as the BNP, Jamaat, and Shibir, cannot be ignored. These groups have exploited legitimate student concerns for their political agenda, leading to violence and chaos. The government’s robust response to this interference was necessary to restore order and protect the safety and security of all citizens.
Moving forward, the government remains dedicated to engaging with student representatives and other stakeholders to reach a peaceful resolution. By fostering dialogue and addressing the root causes of the unrest, the government aims to build a more inclusive and responsive political environment that honors the voices of its citizens while safeguarding national stability.
The writer is a PhD fellow and Freelance Columnist. Views are his own.
