Bangladesh Campus Shutdown Amid Deadly Anti-Quota Protests

Bangladesh has announced the indefinite closure of all universities following deadly student protests against a government job quota system. The protests, which have lasted weeks, intensified after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina refused to meet the protesters' demands. The unrest has resulted in six deaths and widespread violence.

Bangladesh announced on Wednesday that it will indefinitely shut down all public and private universities following deadly protests by students against a quota system for government jobs. The protests have left at least six people dead and scores injured.

The South Asian nation has been engulfed in protests for weeks over public sector job quotas, including a 30% reservation for freedom fighters' family members from the 1971 War of Independence from Pakistan. With nearly 32 million young Bangladeshis unemployed or out of education, anger has mounted among students. The demonstrations escalated when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina refused their demands, calling the protesters 'razakar', a derogatory term for wartime collaborators.

The protests turned violent this week as thousands of students clashed with the ruling Awami League's student wing members. Authorities used rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse the crowds, resulting in six fatalities, including three students. Amnesty International has urged the government to ensure the safety of peaceful protesters and provide proper treatment to the injured.

(With inputs from agencies.)