Last week, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina imposed a nationwide curfew and deployed the army to suppress protests against job quotas, resulting in nearly 150 deaths. Despite this, public anger against her government remains high.

The protests began in universities and colleges earlier this month and quickly spread, becoming a broader movement against Hasina's government. Law enforcement used rubber bullets, tear gas, and sound grenades to disperse tens of thousands of protesters. While the government denied using live ammunition, hospital sources reported injuries consistent with bullets and shotgun pellets. Rights groups and critics accuse Hasina of becoming increasingly autocratic over her 15 years in power, marked by mass arrests, forced disappearances, and extrajudicial killings—allegations she denies.

Badiul Alam Majumdar, secretary of the Dhaka-based civil society platform Shushahoner Jonno Nagorik, stated that the protests are "just the tip of the iceberg" and that the government's use of force will only fuel further discontent. He emphasized that people are being deprived of their basic rights, unable to vote freely, and that widespread frustration is evident in the protests.

Government officials were unavailable for comment, but they have previously claimed no students were involved in arson or violence, instead blaming opposition parties. Hasina, 76, first led her Awami League party to victory in the 1996 elections, served one term, and regained power in 2009. She won a fourth consecutive term in January in elections boycotted by the main opposition and marred by deadly protests.

Zafar Sobhan, editor of the Dhaka Tribune, noted that although Hasina managed to restore some normalcy this week, the situation will not be "business as usual." He stressed that the government needs to listen to the concerns of young people, as the job quota issue reflects broader systemic problems. Sobhan warned that the government must address the legitimate concerns of the public.

Asif Mahmud, a student leader, claimed he was abducted and abused by authorities for four days before being dumped on a road. His allegations could not be independently verified, and government officials were unavailable for comment. Mahmud called for investigations into the killings and demanded justice for those responsible for what he described as a massacre.

International bodies, including the United Nations, rights groups, the U.S., and Britain, have condemned the use of force and urged Dhaka to respect the right to peaceful protest. Hasina defended the curfew, citing the need to protect citizens and state property, and blamed the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami for the violence—claims they deny. Tarique Rahman, the exiled acting chairman of BNP, accused Hasina of "mass murder" during the protests.

Despite Hasina's economic achievements, including transforming the garments industry, Bangladesh's economy has slowed sharply due to the Russia-Ukraine war, which increased fuel and food prices. This economic strain led Bangladesh to seek a $4.7 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund last year. Experts attribute the unrest to stagnant job growth in the private sector and high youth unemployment, making government jobs more appealing due to their stability and benefits. They argue that political will is needed to address inflation, currently around 10%, and unemployment. Mohammad Abdur Razzaque, chairman of the Dhaka think tank Research and Policy Integration for Development, suggested investing in sectors like health and education to create more jobs for young, educated individuals.