EduCare News: Advisory issued for Indian students stranded in Bangladesh; 198 students brought to India

The Meghalaya government informed on July 19 that more than 200 Indian citizens have entered the Indian border through the Dawki Integrated Border. These include 198 Indian students.

Out of these, 67 students are from Meghalaya only. The Home Ministry informed that apart from this, 101 students are from Nepal and 7 from Bhutan. While 23 students are from other states of the country. A helpline number 1800 345 3644 has also been activated regarding the violence.

Actually, in Bangladesh, students have come out on the streets and are protesting against the quota system in jobs.

There is protest against the quota system

On 18 July, protesters chased away police and set fire to BTV’s headquarters in Dhaka and burned more than 60 vehicles.

So far 39 people have died and more than 2500 people have been injured in these violent protests.

A day earlier, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had given an interview to BTV and appeared on the BTV network and called for peace to calm the growing conflict.

Hundreds of university students in Dhaka and several cities have been staging rallies for several weeks protesting against job reservations in government jobs, including for relatives of fighters who fought for the country’s independence from Pakistan in 1971.

Quota system was started in 1972
When this system was abolished in 2018, there was reservation in 56% of government jobs. The reason for the students’ protest is that they believe that reservation will reduce opportunities for them and will harm them.

Advisory for Indian citizens to not leave their homes

Indian nationals in Bangladesh have been advised to avoid travelling and minimise their movement outside their homes.

The Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka has issued an advisory and said, ‘In view of the ongoing situation in Bangladesh, Indians and Indian students living in Bangladesh are advised to avoid travelling anywhere and minimise the movement of their homes.’

The Meghalaya government on Thursday informed that more than 200 Indian citizens have entered the Indian border through the Dawki Integrated Border.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said justice will be done
The protests began last month after the Bangladesh High Court reinstated the quota system for government jobs, overturning a 2018 decision by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government to abolish it. However, the Supreme Court suspended the high court order after the government appealed and set August 7 to hear the government’s challenge.

The protests gained further momentum when Sheikh Hasina refused to meet the students’ demands, citing court proceedings.

Hasina expressed grief over the loss of lives and property in the reservation protests and appealed to the students not to allow miscreants to take advantage of the situation. The Prime Minister said that those who have committed murders and damaged public property will be brought to justice, no matter which party they belong to.