Schools and universities across Bangladesh have been temporarily closed after violent clashes erupted during protests over the system of job quotas in government positions. The demonstrations, led by university students, have been ongoing for several days, with protestors demanding a merit-based recruitment process rather than one based on quotas.

The current system reserves a third of government jobs for the relatives of war heroes who fought for Bangladesh's independence from Pakistan in 1971. Additionally, certain positions are reserved for women, ethnic minorities, and individuals with disabilities. Critics argue that this system is discriminatory and disadvantageous, calling for a more meritocratic approach.

The protests have resulted in clashes between supporters of the anti-quota movement and their opponents, particularly the student wing of the governing Awami League known as the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL). These clashes involved the use of bricks, sticks, tear gas, and rubber bullets. Student activists claim that hundreds of people have been injured in these violent encounters.

The cause of the confrontations is a matter of contention. Anti-quota movement coordinators have blamed BCL members for the violence, accusing them of causing the deaths of protesters. They claim that the police failed to intervene on behalf of the ordinary students. Conversely, the government attributes the violence to opposition groups, specifically the student fronts of the Jamaat-e-Islami and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). The government argues that these groups infiltrated the anti-quota movement and initiated the clashes.

The reservation of government jobs is highly sought after in Bangladesh due to their attractive salaries. More than half of these positions, equivalent to hundreds of thousands of jobs, are reserved for specific groups. Critics argue that this system unjustly benefits the families of pro-government groups who support Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

In 2018, Prime Minister Hasina's government abolished the quotas in response to previous protests. However, the system was reinstated by court order in early June, reigniting the demonstrations. While the Bangladesh's top court temporarily suspended the system last week, students continue to protest until it is permanently removed. A court hearing on the matter is scheduled for August 7, providing an opportunity for students to present their arguments.

Amidst the continuing protests and violence, the police conducted a late-night operation on Tuesday at the headquarters of the main opposition party, the BNP. This action came following the clashes and was seen by the BNP as a message to the students to return home.

The protests have caused major disruptions, with students blocking roads in Dhaka and other major cities, leading to heavy traffic congestion. Further exacerbating the situation, student leaders expressed anger over comments made by Prime Minister Hasina, alleging that she compared them to collaborators with the Pakistani army during the 1971 war. These remarks were perceived as an insult and incitement for BCL members to attack the protestors.

Government ministers deny that the Prime Minister referred to the students as collaborators and assert that her comments were misinterpreted. They also dispute allegations that the BCL triggered the violence, claiming that it began after anti-quota students intimidated residents of a hall in Dhaka.

The UN Secretary General, António Guterres, through his spokesman Stephane Dujarric, has called on the government to protect the demonstrators from any form of threat or violence. In response, the government has deployed the paramilitary force, Border Guards Bangladesh, to maintain security in five major cities, including Dhaka and Chittagong.

The students involved in the protests remain steadfast in their determination to continue until their demands are met. The closure of schools and universities serves as a testament to the gravity of the situation. The government's current efforts to manage the unrest will be crucial in bringing about a resolution to the ongoing crisis.