Why did students begin protesting in Bangladesh?

The recent student protests in Bangladesh began in response to the reinstatement of a controversial quota system for government jobs, which reserves 30% of positions for the children of independence war veterans. This system, which protesters argue favors supporters of the ruling Awami League, was previously abolished in 2018 following similar protests but was reinstated by the High Court in June 2024. The protests escalated into violent clashes between students, pro-government supporters, and security forces, resulting in dozens of deaths and hundreds of injuries. The government imposed a nationwide curfew, shut down internet and mobile services, and deployed security forces to quell the unrest. Human rights organizations have accused the authorities of using unlawful force, including tear gas and rubber bullets, against protesters. The Supreme Court has since rolled back most of the quotas, but the protests continue as students demand justice and accountability for the violence and deaths. The international community, including the UN and the US, has called for restraint and condemned the violence. Amnesty International, Al Jazeera, Reuters, and CNN provide detailed accounts of the events and the underlying issues.