Bangladesh violence: Why are students protesting against PM Sheikh Hasina, what do they want?

Protests in Bangladesh took a violent turn recently when students set fire to the state broadcaster’s headquarters. This came a day after Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina appeared on television, urging calm amid escalating clashes that have killed at least 32 people, reported AFP.

Hundreds of protesters demanding changes to civil service hiring rules clashed with riot police, who responded with rubber bullets. The crowd then chased the retreating officers to Bangladesh Television’s (BTV) headquarters in Dhaka, setting the reception building and several vehicles on fire. 

In response to the unrest, the government has ordered schools and universities to close indefinitely. Despite Hasina’s plea for peace, violence continued as police tried to disperse demonstrators with rubber bullets and tear gas.

According to reports, at least 25 people were killed on Thursday, bringing the total death toll to 32 for the week. 

Violence spread to several cities as riot police confronted protesters. Helicopters rescued 60 police officers trapped on a campus building in Dhaka, reported AFP.

The protests initially focused on ending a quota system for civil service jobs but have grown into broader discontent with Hasina’s government, which critics accuse of being autocratic. 

Mobile internet outages and restricted access to Facebook have hampered protest communications.