The 2024 Bangladesh Quota Reform Movement is an ongoing anti-government protest in Bangladesh, led by students from public and private universities, demanding the cancellation of the existing quota system for government job recruitment.

The protest has been met with a strong crackdown from governmental forces, leading to nearly 200 deaths so far. But why? Why is the government taking drastic measures for such a seemingly minor issue?

All of this is strongly tied to the government’s secularization efforts, backed by the external influences of India and Israel.

Background

The quota system reserves 30% of civil service posts for children and grandchildren of freedom fighters in the Bangladesh Liberation War. Protesters argue that this system is unfair and demand a quota at fair rates for minority groups and disabled people.

This policy, which initially was intended to honor the sacrifices of freedom fighters, now perpetuates inequality by prioritizing a specific group over merit-based selection. It hinders social mobility for the broader population, limits opportunities for talented individuals from other backgrounds, and fails to reflect the current socio-economic realities of Bangladesh.

Reforming this outdated system is essential to ensure fairness, inclusivity, and the optimal use of human resources in the country’s development. The government has attempted to suppress the protest, closing all educational institutions, using their student wing against the protestors, deploying police and border guards, and declaring a nationwide ‘shoot-at-sight’ curfew.

The protests have turned violent, with reports of deaths, injuries, and arrests, resulting in the reported death toll of at least 180 and 2,580 arrests, including many students.

However, as of writing this article, unofficial sources estimate that over a thousand students were killed by both thugs and the military.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has justified such killings by calling these unarmed student protestors “militants.” The government has also imposed an unprecedented nationwide internet blackout, isolating Bangladesh from the rest of the world. Students who are caught with video evidence of the massacre on social media or phone gallery are being arrested at checkpoints throughout the country.

The Anti-discrimination Students’ Movement has put forward demands to the government, including the cancellation of the existing quota system, provision of a quota at fair rates for minority groups and disabled people, and the passage of a new law establishing a new quota system for a maximum of 5% of total jobs.

Despite the government’s efforts to quell the protests, demonstrators continue to call for reform, leading to a tense and volatile situation in the country. The protests have garnered international attention, with concerns raised about human rights violations and the government’s handling of the situation.

1971 War of Independence

The region that is now Bangladesh was part of British India until 1947, when the British Indian Empire was partitioned into India and Pakistan based on religious lines, with Pakistan being created as a separate homeland for Muslims. The partition resulted in the creation of East and West Pakistan, separated by over 1,000 miles of Indian territory, with East Pakistan being the most populous province but often marginalized by the West Pakistani elite.

East Pakistanis felt exploited and marginalized by the West Pakistani government, which gave rise to calls for independence. West Pakistan responded with violence. One example was Operation Searchlight, which was a brutal military operation conducted by the West Pakistan Army on March 25, 1971, in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh).

Operation Searchlight aimed to suppress the Bengali nationalist movement and demand for independence. It resulted in widespread killings, rapes, and destruction, with tens of thousands killed and millions displaced. It is remembered as a traumatic event in Bangladesh’s history. The operation sparked the Bangladesh Liberation War, leading to independence on December 16, 1971.

India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, played a crucial role in supporting the Bengali rebels, providing military training, arms, and shelter. India’s involvement was motivated by a desire to weaken Pakistan, its long-time rival, and to prevent the spread of Islamist ideology in the region.

Israel, too, secretly provided military aid to India, supplying artillery and ammunition, which proved instrumental in the war’s outcome. This support was a manifestation of the larger strategic partnership between India and Israel, which has since grown into a robust alliance.

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The Soviet Union also supported India and the Bengali rebels, viewing the conflict as a proxy war against the US-backed Pakistani regime. In contrast, the US, China, and other Western powers supported Pakistan, fearing Indian dominance in the region. The war’s outcome marked a significant shift in the global balance of power, with India emerging as a major player in South Asia and the US-Pakistan alliance weakened.

The legacy of the 1971 war continues to shape Bangladesh’s politics, including the contentious quota system introduced by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s government to reward families of freedom fighters. The quota system, reserving 30% of government jobs for the children and grandchildren of freedom fighters, has become a contentious issue, with protesters demanding its reform.

Government Secularization Efforts

The main secularization efforts in Bangladesh are led by India and Israel. For both these countries, Bangladeshis embracing a pan-Islamic identity conflicts with their wider geopolitical goals.

In order to maintain control, the secularization effort aims to have Muslims be more loyal to their own tribe or nation than the larger Muslim Ummah. A secular cultural Muslim who is only a Muslim in name will see their secularization efforts as salvation from the “oppressively backward mullas,” instead of identifying the true intent of colonization and control.

For India, a strongly Islamic Bangladesh can potentially ally with Pakistan, causing a potential military threat from two sides. For Israel, Muslim nations politically and militarily uniting as a global Ummah can potentially ruin their wider goals of creating Greater Israel.

In order to keep the Muslims divided, the 1971 war is used as an emotional tool to paint all Pakistanis as pure evil in the minds of the average Bangladeshi. Anyone willing to challenge the narrative or bring about Islamic governance is shut down as a “Rajakar” or someone who betrayed Bangladeshis to side with Pakistan.

The recent protests against the 1971 freedom fighter job quota has created cracks in this narrative. Students online are calling each other “Rajakar” as satire, undermining the original intent of using it as an insult or threat against the opposition.

Without this emotional tool, the average Bangladeshi couldn’t care less about secular liberalism and will prefer to abide by Islamic norms. While the leaders and the wealthy minority are secularized by a Western education system, the average Bangladeshi strongly loves Allah and will prefer to do what is necessary to please Him. As a result, harsh draconian measures are being taken against the student protestors in a desperate attempt to maintain the divide between Bangladeshi and Pakistani Muslims.

Israel and India are involved in Bangladesh’s military modernization and specialization program, with Israeli military officers stationed in Bangladeshi barracks, providing training and expertise in areas such as counter-terrorism, intelligence gathering, and special operations.

Indian military officers, embedded in the Bangladesh Army’s command centers, are also involved in training and capacity-building programs, focusing on areas like infantry, artillery, and engineering. This involvement allows for a significant level of influence and cooperation in Bangladesh’s military affairs, with some sources suggesting that Israeli and Indian officers may even be involved in operational planning and decision-making processes.

Furthermore, Israel and India’s involvement is also seen as pushing secularism in Bangladesh, as they promote a secular and modern military doctrine, countering the influence of political Islamist groups while pretending to promote a more inclusive and pluralistic society. This is reflected in Bangladesh’s growing participation in international peacekeeping missions and its efforts to combat “terrorism” and “extremism,” aligning with the values of secularism and democracy promoted by Israel, India, US, and NATO.

The use of the country’s military to oust any ounce of political Islam is seen in other Muslim majority countries as well, including Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkey. Such policies have been around for decades, as described by the US military’s official think tank, RAND, in their “Five Pillars Of Democracy” and “Civil Democratic Islam” papers.

The Bangladesh government has implemented several reforms to reduce the influence of Islam and promote a more secular liberal society.

One such reform is the introduction of the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB), which aims to remove content promoting jihad, polygamy, and gender segregation from school textbooks.

The NCTB claims to revise textbooks in order to exclude teachings that are discriminatory against non-Muslims, women, and minorities. Instead, they include teachings that promote secular and progressive topics like human rights, gender studies, and “critical thinking.”

Additionally, NGOs like BRAC, CARE, and Oxfam have played a crucial role in promoting secularism and attempting to reform Islamic principles. BRAC’s “Empowerment and Livelihood for Adolescents” program focuses on educating and economically empowering adolescent girls, challenging patriarchal norms and promoting gender equality. CARE’s “Reducing Child Marriage” project works to prevent minor marriages and promote girls’ education, countering the practice of early marriage justified by Islamic law. The UNICEF “Mina Cartoon” series is another initiative by the government to counter supposedly extremist narratives among children. A lot of these concerted efforts also include spreading the message that a wife being with her husband is demeaning while she is encouraged to work in corporate environments with other men in mixed settings. This also includes the use of fear mongering tactics to have less children in order to avoid poverty.

Islamically, Muslims are strongly encouraged to adhere to well-established gender roles, early marriages, and having large families. Fear of poverty is illogical, as sustenance comes from Allah, who sent us these sacred laws through his beloved prophets, may peace and blessings be upon them all.

The government has used both armed thugs as well as the military to put down dissent. The Chatro League, the student wing of the ruling party of Bangladesh (Awami League), has organized massacres against various student protesters.

The group is known to be hired thugs for the government in order to commit a wide range of violence, such as rape and murder, against the opposition. This is a way for the government to pretend to not be involved while government-sponsored media discard such violent incidents as mere “student clashes” (essentially telling the public these are gang wars between students and have nothing to do with the government).

However, their illegal activities and connection to the ruling party is public knowledge at this point. In 2018, students protested against road safety, which led to a number of students being massacred by the Chatro League as well as several female students being raped.

During Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Bangladesh in March 2021, there were reports of violence against protesters, with allegations that members of the Chhatra League were involved in attacks on demonstrators. Protesters had gathered to express opposition to Modi’s visit, citing various grievances, including territorial disputes and concerns over India’s Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

However, the protests turned violent, with reports of massacres of peaceful protestors by the Chatro League. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina maintains her power via vigilante civilian thugs and this quota system is a way for her to maintain their favor towards her. The quota system guarantees job security to anyone carrying out her will.

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) is an elite anti-crime and anti-terrorism unit of the Bangladesh Police, tasked with combating crime and terrorism in the country. However, the RAB has been implicated in numerous unjust killings, sparking widespread criticism from human rights groups. Extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and torture have been reported, with many incidents involving “crossfire” shootings or fake encounters. RAB, along with Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) were involved in the latest student massacres.

In general, it is difficult to get a high ranking position (or any position) in the police force without being affiliated with the ruling political party. Any potential police officer found to have family members who are part of the opposition party is not hired. This is ensured via thorough background checks during the hiring process.

In Bangladesh, Islamic scholars and activists have faced a troubling trend of false accusations, arbitrary arrests, and even kidnappings, often at the hands of powerful individuals or groups motivated by political rivalries, sectarian conflicts, and personal vendettas.

Prominent scholars like Mufti Mohammad Nurunnabi, Allama Shafi, Junaid Babunagari, and Abu Tawha Adnan have been targeted, with some facing arrest, harassment, and intimidation, while others, like Tawha Adnan, have been abducted and later released. These incidents have not only disrupted the lives of the individuals affected but have also created a climate of fear and uncertainty within the Islamic scholarly community.

In 2013, thousands of members of Hefazat-e-Islam, the largest Deobandi missionary group in Bangladesh, peacefully protested against un-Islamic elements of the constitution, removal of Islamic teachings from the school curricula, and atheist media attacks.

There was a subsequent massacre that ensued for 36 hours against them in the darkness of the night, death tolls being in the thousands. These were deaths of Islamic students of knowledge, Islamic scholars, and imams of masajid. The incident is famously known today as the Shapla Square Massacre.

Between 2013 and 2015, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina set up the International War Crimes Tribunal, which was essentially a kangaroo court to label any leader from her political opposition party, such as Jamaat-e-Islamic and Bangladesh Nationalist Party, as “Rajakar” and, consequently arrested. This included figures like Abdul Qadir Molla, Ali Ahsan Mujahid, and Delwar Hussein Saidi. All of them were sentenced to execution or life imprisonment based on false allegations and using hand picked corrupt judges.

The People’s Love for Islam

The people of Bengal were devout Muslims and the defenders of Islam for almost a thousand years. The Islamic heritage of Bengal isn’t emphasized or ever mentioned in the Bangladeshi school curriculum and hence often not known to the average population.

It’s a common tactic to connect people to their pre-Islamic roots in the process of secularization. Examples include the emphasis of Pharaohs and pyramids in Egypt instead of Mamluks and Egyptian Islamic scholarship.

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Another example would be the emphasis of women wearing mini skirts in black and white pictures by feminists in Iran and Afghanistan (and by their silly logic, it implies that women were wearing mini skirts and smoking cigarettes for thousands of years for it to become local culture). It’s important for Muslims to reconnect and take pride in their local Islamic heritage.

Bangladesh’s transformation into an Islamic-majority country was a gradual process spanning centuries. In the 13th century, Muslim rulers from Central Asia, including Muhammad Bakhtiyar Khalji and the Delhi Sultanate, conquered Bengal, introducing Islam to the region and establishing Muslim rule. The Mughal Empire’s rule from 1576 to 1757 further solidified Islam’s presence, with Muslim governors and administrators promoting Islamic institutions, education, and culture. Islam was also propagated by prominent Islamic scholars like 16th century Shah Jalal, who is still fondly remembered to this day.

During the British colonial era, Muslim nationalism emerged as a response to Hindu-dominated Bengali nationalism, leading to the region becoming East Pakistan after India’s partition in 1947. Famous Islamic scholars included Titumir, who fought the British in 1930 to rid the region of its un-Islamic ways.

In 1967, top pilot during the Six Day War, Saiful Azam from East Pakistan (and later Bangladesh) shot down the most number of Israeli aircraft, in spite of using inferior equipment.

Following Bangladesh’s independence in 1971, Islam’s influence continued to grow, with successive governments promoting Islamic values and laws, with approximately 90% of the population identifying as Muslim today. This strong Islamic heritage is reflected in the country’s numerous masajid, with estimates suggesting over 200,000 across the country.

Bangladesh hosts the Bisho Ijtema, the second-largest Muslim gathering in the world after the Hajj, attracting millions of devotees from around the globe. This annual event showcases the country’s commitment to Islamic values and its importance as a hub of Islamic practice and culture.

Even with little knowledge, the love of the average Bangladeshi towards Islam is evident. In 2006, during the execution of Saddam Hussein during the US war in Iraq, thousands of Bangladeshis went to the streets to protest. Saddam Hussein was a secular ruler and wasn’t implementing Sharia in Iraq. However, merely having an Islamic name was sufficient for Bangladeshis to show support in large numbers.

The average Bangladeshi will not tolerate Muslims being harmed anywhere in the world. This is the essence of al-Wala wa al-Bara.

In recent times, the youth have been active in dawah in various forms.

In 2021, the Bangladeshi government, with millions of US dollars in funding from George Soros via Open Society Foundation (OSF), planned to include LGBT+ rights and gender studies as part of the general curricula at BRAC university.

Professor Asif Mahtab Utsha made strong public objections against this un-Islamic change, leading to his subsequent firing from his university faculty position. Once the word got out, millions of protesters across the country demanded the government to remove LGBTQ+ from the school curriculum.

Under pressure, the government eventually reversed the change, stating they don’t want to upset the religious sentiments of the population.

In 2022, thousands protested against Indian politician, Nupur Sharma, for blaspheming against the Prophet ﷺ. In 2024, there were mass boycotts of goods in Bangladesh from both India and Israel.

The average Bangladeshi is stereotypically soft hearted, where they would cry before Dua is made. However, when Islam is under attack, they will stand up for the truth against any opposition. Their hearts bleed when Muslims of other countries like India and Palestine are oppressed. The few outspoken people on online- and government-backed media do not represent the average Bangladeshi population. They do not have the “Gora Complex” (inferiority complex towards their own heritage in favor of looking more Western) to shy away from their true Islamic identity and purpose in life.

Lessons from the Sirah

During the Battle of Khandaq, the Aws and Khazraj tribes, who were allies of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, began reciting poetry that highlighted their past conflicts and rivalries. This exchange of poetic boasts and insults nearly escalated into physical violence. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ intervened, saying: “Jahiliya is under my foot!” or “Jahiliya has been abolished, and I have trampled it under my feet!”

This incident occurred despite the fact that both tribes had lost family members in the various wars, and Prophet Muhammad ﷺ still urged them to put aside their past grievances and embrace each other as brothers in Islam. Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ actions in this incident demonstrate his strong dislike for tribalism and his commitment to eradicating it amongst his followers. He emphasized the unity of Muslims, reminding them that their shared identity as Muslims was far more important than their tribal affiliations. By doing so, he taught that being a Muslim transcends tribal, ethnic, or national identities, and that our primary allegiance should be to Allah and the Ummah.

Furthermore, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ encouraged forgiveness and forgetting of past differences and moving forward together as a united community. He reminded Muslims that they are all equal and united in their faith, and should not let past conflicts or tribal loyalties divide them. This incident serves as a powerful reminder to Muslims of the importance of putting aside tribalism and embracing their shared identity as Muslims.

Via various actions, Bangladeshis are demonstrating their love for the larger Ummah over insignificant tribal divides, engineered by dishonorably devious external forces. One’s identity as a Muslim and loyalty to Allah is far higher than any other identity or priority. The recent draconian measures by the government against student protestors only proves their desperation to stop people from seeing through the propaganda and becoming part of the larger Ummah.