Bangladesh Protests Over Job Quotas Turn Deadly as Unrest Spreads Nationwide

Protests in Bangladesh over the government’s job quota system have escalated into nationwide unrest, leaving more than 100 people dead as security forces clashed with demonstrators in Dhaka and several other cities. What began as student-led anger over civil service hiring rules has grown into a broader challenge to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s administration.

Authorities imposed a curfew and restricted internet access in an effort to contain the violence, but tensions remained high across the country. Witnesses and local reports described scenes of confrontation as police and other security personnel moved to disperse crowds demanding changes to the quota system, which critics say favors supporters of the ruling establishment.

The unrest has intensified pressure on the government, with opposition leaders calling for Hasina’s resignation and accusing her administration of failing to address public frustration. The quota dispute has tapped into wider grievances over unemployment, inequality and perceptions of political favoritism in public-sector recruitment.

As the crackdown continues, the situation remains volatile, with authorities warning against further demonstrations and protesters vowing to keep up the pressure. The crisis marks one of the most serious waves of unrest in Bangladesh in recent years.