Bangladesh quota protesters announce nationwide shutdown on Thursday

Starting Thursday, student protesters in Bangladesh have called for a nationwide shutdown of transportation and businesses to pressure Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to abolish the government’s job quota system. This move follows a week of escalating demonstrations, which turned violent and left the nation grappling with unrest.

Earlier, the Bangladeshi government also announced an indefinite closure of all public and private universities. The decision came after widespread protests against the controversial quota system in government jobs resulted in at least six fatalities and over 400 injuries.

This wave of demonstrations marks the first significant challenge to Prime Minister Hasina’s administration since she commenced her fourth consecutive term in January, following an election boycotted by the Opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).