The US State Department has condemned the violence in Bangladesh, where over 50 students have been killed and hundreds injured during protests against the government quota system, which allegedly favors supporters of Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina.
Regarding the ongoing crackdown on students and protesters in Bangladesh, Principal Deputy Spokesperson, Vedant Patel, in a press briefing, on July 18, 2024, said, “We are continuing to monitor the reports of violence from the ongoing protests in and around Dhaka. Freedom of expression and peaceful assembly are essential building blocks to any thriving democracy,” and condemned the recent acts of violence.
“Our thoughts are with those who have been killed or injured by this, and we’re continuing to rely on media and contacts on the ground for information,” he added.
India’s former Foreign Secretary, Harsh Shringla, who also served as High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh, noted “any instability will have implications on India,” and called for “resolution of situation and restoration of normalcy.”
Shringla, a former Indian Ambassador to the United States, told ANI, “These demonstrations in Bangladesh, student protests have been going on for the last three, four days. They have taken a number of lives, and there has been a reasonable amount of unrest and instability…” adding “Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina herself has come into the public domain and addressed the citizens to put these matters in perspective, saying that we are with you, we agree with what you are saying, but the matter is with the courts, and we will try and get the courts to convene as soon as possible to take a decision…”
According to reports, the government has deployed police and paramilitary forces in Dhaka to suppress the protesters, who claim that the “discriminatory” quota system is designed to benefit supporters of PM Hasina.
PM Hasina has initiated a judicial investigation into the students’ deaths. “I especially urge everyone to wait patiently until the Supreme Court verdict comes. I believe our students will get justice from high court, they will not be disappointed,” she said at a press conference on July 19th.
Meanwhile, Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, said, “The Secretary-General encourages the meaningful and constructive participation of youth to address the ongoing challenges in Bangladesh. Violence can never be the solution.”
