Abu Jakir :
The Awami League government is currently navigating intensified pressure from two concurrent movements: protests by university teachers over pension reforms and demands for student quota reform.
These issues have compounded existing societal unrest fueled by escalating commodity prices, economic challenges, and energy crises.
In response to the ongoing quota reform protests, government sources have indicated a cautious approach aimed at preventing student demonstrators from becoming direct adversaries.
However, the administration remains resolute in its stance against university teachers opposing the ‘Pratay’ pension scheme, signaling potential escalation in pressure on the Awami League-led government in the coming days.
**Political Turmoil Intensifies in Bangladesh: Opposition Gains Momentum**
In a significant turn of events, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and allied opposition factions have thrown their weight behind ongoing student quota reform and teachers’ pension protests, marking a strategic move to challenge the ruling Awami League.
Sources within the Awami League express unease over these developments, viewing them as attempts by the opposition to capitalize on public discontent.
The Awami League, grappling with public frustration over skyrocketing commodity prices, remains steadfast in its determination to quell dissenting voices.
Despite historical precedent of such opposition movements faltering, the government is keenly focused on preemptively addressing grievances to maintain stability.
Meanwhile, the BNP is actively plotting its next moves, aiming to exploit the government’s vulnerabilities amid the ongoing socio-political climate.
With inflationary concerns fueling public unrest, opposition parties are poised to intensify their rhetoric and mobilization efforts, posing a formidable challenge to the ruling regime.
BNP leaders believe that even if the Awami League forms a new government through a ‘one-sided’ and ‘rigged’ election on January 7, 2024, it will not be able to sustain power for long.
The government will have to contend with rising commodity prices, economic crises, gas and electricity shortages, social unrest, and the political movements of opposition parties.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told this correspondent, “We have no alternatives left.
The existence of this government means the destruction of our country and democracy.
To protect ourselves, we must build an increasingly intense movement. We must defeat them through this struggle.”
The primary force behind the quota reform protests is the spontaneous participation of general students, with the movement spreading nationwide.
In response, both the government and the ruling party, Awami League, have adopted cautious political stances.
Several key policymakers within the Awami League have indicated that instructions have been given to the party’s student wing, the Chhatra League, to avoid obstructing the peaceful activities of the student protesters.
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Sunday stated that the government is closely monitoring the student protests against the quota system. “The issue the students are protesting is based on a government decision.
The court has given a different verdict. We didn’t make this decision; it was made by the court,” he said.
Quader also expressed optimism that the nationwide work stoppages by university teachers and the student quota reform protests would find resolution. “We are in contact with the teachers.
As for meeting with them, I can’t say when exactly that will happen, but it will be resolved in due time,” he said.
In 2018, during the quota reform movement under the banner of the Bangladesh General Students’ Rights Protection Council, the government initially took a hard stance.
However, in the face of the protests, the quota system for government jobs in grades 9 to 13 (first and second class) was eventually abolished.
Now, to manage the current student protests, the government is highlighting this previous decision to abolish the quota system.
A minister, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that the Awami League government had abolished the quota system before and still maintains that stance.
The Awami League and Chhatra League have been instructed to convey this message to the protesters.
However, there are questions about how much confidence this statement will inspire among the protesters.
The government’s argument is that, following a writ petition, the High Court declared the circular abolishing the quota system illegal.
The government has appealed to a higher court to stay this order. The appeal is currently awaiting a hearing in the Appellate Division, and the final decision will be made by the court.
Multiple sources indicate that government ministers and Awami League leaders will politically emphasize these points in their communications.