Indian High Commission Advises Caution Amid Student Protests in Dhaka
The Indian High Commission in Dhaka has issued an urgent advisory for Indian citizens and students in Bangladesh to avoid non-essential travel and minimize movement outside their residences due to escalating unrest in the country.
Background
Recent violent clashes between students and police in Dhaka followed the Bangladeshi government’s decision to close all public and private universities. The protests are driven by demands for reform of the country’s quota system for civil service jobs, which reserves positions for specific groups, including descendants of those who participated in the 1971 war of independence against Pakistan.
Protests Intensify
On Thursday, protests intensified as students clashed with law enforcement in various locations across Dhaka. In Merul Badda, near Brac University, demonstrators blocked roads and engaged in violent confrontations with police, resulting in multiple injuries. Police deployed tear gas to disperse the crowd, leading to significant traffic disruptions in the area.
Additionally, students obstructed the entrance to the Bashundhara Residential Area on Pragati Sarani and blocked the Dhaka-Chittagong highway in Jatrabari, severely affecting public transportation and causing widespread inconvenience. The Mirpur 10 roundabout and surrounding areas also experienced a heavy police presence, with many local markets and shops remaining closed.
Demands and Response
The protests began in response to perceived police brutality and have evolved into a broader demand for justice for those injured or killed in previous demonstrations, as well as a call for a violence-free campus and rational reform of the quota system.
Emergency Contacts
In light of the volatile situation, the High Commission of India in Dhaka and the Indian Assistant High Commissions in Chittagong, Sylhet, and Khulna have established 24-hour emergency contact numbers for Indian nationals and students who require assistance:
| Location | Contact Number |
|---|---|
| High Commission of India, Dhaka | +880-1937400591 (also on WhatsApp) |
| Assistant High Commission of India, Chittagong | +880-1814654797 / +880-1814654799 (also on WhatsApp) |
| Assistant High Commission of India, Sylhet | +880-1313076411 (also on WhatsApp) |
| Assistant High Commission of India, Khulna | +880-1812817799 (also on WhatsApp) |
The Indian government continues to monitor the situation and advises all citizens in Bangladesh to adhere to the travel advisory and reach out to the High Commission or Assistant High Commissions if they are in need of urgent assistance.
Doubts Revealed
Indian High Commission -: The Indian High Commission is like an office in another country where Indian officials work to help Indian citizens living or traveling there.
Dhaka -: Dhaka is the capital city of Bangladesh, a country that is next to India.
civil service quota system -: The civil service quota system in Bangladesh is a rule about how many jobs in the government are reserved for certain groups of people.
protests -: Protests are when people gather to show they are unhappy about something and want it to change.
Emergency contact numbers -: Emergency contact numbers are phone numbers you can call if you need urgent help, like if you are in danger or lost.
