Government repression of the student-led quota reform movement in Bangladesh sparked widespread outrage and mobilization among various segments of society. As students took to the streets demanding equitable representation in government jobs, the Sheikh Hasina regime’s heavy-handed response only fueled public dissent. The sustained pressure from the massive protests and the escalating demands for accountability ultimately forced Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to resign. International attention also shifted to Bangladesh, with human rights organizations condemning the repression and calling for the protection of civil liberties.
Panelists:
Aditya Nigam, Former Professor at Centre for the Study of Developing Societies, New Delhi
Sultan Muhammad Zakaria, Co-Founder of Bangladeshi Diaspora for Justice and Accountability and Former South Asia Researcher at Amnesty International
Moderated by:
Zunayed Ahmed Ehsan, PhD Candidate, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Monday 12 August 2024; 11.30 AM Bangladesh Standard Time, 11 AM India and Sri Lanka Standard Time.
Video is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJaPUR8t3e4