In a dramatic turn of events, Bangladesh has announced the indefinite closure of all public and private universities in response to deadly protests against the quota system for government jobs. The recent demonstrations, which left at least six people dead and numerous injured, have sparked outrage among students who face high youth unemployment rates in the country.

Bangladesh has been witnessing weeks of unrest as students voiced their opposition to public sector job quotas, which include a 30% reservation for family members of freedom fighters from the 1971 War of Independence. With nearly 32 million young Bangladeshis out of work or out of education, the anger among protesting students has intensified.

The tensions escalated further when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina refused to meet the protesters' demands, citing ongoing court proceedings. In a controversial move, she labeled those opposing the quota as "razakar," a term used for individuals who allegedly collaborated with the Pakistani army during the 1971 war. This statement only fueled the flames of discontent among the demonstrators.

Violence erupted during the protests this week as thousands of anti-quota protesters clashed with members of the student wing of the ruling Awami League party. Police responded by using rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse the crowds. Tragically, six people, including three students, lost their lives during clashes on Tuesday.

Amid the escalating situation, Amnesty International has called on the Bangladeshi government to guarantee the safety of peaceful protesters and ensure proper treatment of the injured. In response, authorities have deployed riot police and the Border Guard Bangladesh paramilitary force on university campuses across the country to maintain law and order.

Late Tuesday night, the University Grants Commission ordered the closure of all universities, instructing students to vacate the premises immediately due to security concerns. High schools, colleges, and other educational institutions were also shut down as a precautionary measure.

Nahid Islam, the coordinator of the anti-quota protests, announced that students would hold processions on Wednesday, carrying coffins as a symbol of solidarity for those who lost their lives during the clashes. While some students have left the dormitories due to attacks by members of the student league, others have chosen to stay and continue their demonstration.

In a separate development, police raided the headquarters of the main opposition party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), in Dhaka, arresting seven activists, including a former leader of its student wing. The raid was conducted after a bus was set on fire near the BNP office, and the police claim to have found crude bombs and bottles of petrol on the premises. The BNP has condemned the raid, alleging that the government planted the evidence to discredit the anti-quota protests.

These protests pose the first significant challenge to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government since her reelection in January, a victory overshadowed by the BNP's boycott of the elections. Experts attribute the unrest to the lack of job growth in the private sector, making government jobs increasingly appealing to young Bangladeshis due to their regular wage hikes and other privileges.

Currently, various quotas reserve 56% of government jobs in Bangladesh, including 10% for women, 10% for people from underdeveloped districts, 5% for indigenous communities, and 1% for people with disabilities. As the situation continues to unfold, the government faces mounting pressure to address the concerns of the protesting students and find a resolution to the ongoing crisis.