More than 4,500 Indian citizens and approximately 540 individuals from Nepal, Bhutan and the Maldives have been repatriated from Bangladesh with the support of Indian authorities following violent demonstrations against job quotas in the neighbouring country.

A nationwide curfew was enforced in Bangladesh yesterday (21 July), with the military deployed to suppress the protests that led to the deaths of at least 110 individuals and left hundreds wounded.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) reported that over 4,500 Indian students had returned to India while 500 Nepali students, 38 Bhutanese students and one Maldivian student had been brought back. The Indian High Commission in Dhaka has been facilitating safe passage for Indian nationals to border crossing points.

The High Commission and Assistant High Commissions in Chittagong, Rajshahi, Sylhet and Khulna are maintaining regular communication with Bangladeshi authorities to ensure the well-being and security of Indian citizens.

The missions are also in contact with Indian students studying in various universities in Bangladesh, as well as other Indian nationals, to provide necessary support and assistance.

The MEA had previously stated that there were around 15,000 Indians, including 8,500 students, in Bangladesh, all of whom were confirmed to be safe.

The Indian diplomatic missions in Bangladesh are prepared to offer any required aid to Indian nationals through their emergency contact channels.

Following West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s offer to provide refuge to distressed individuals from Bangladesh in her state, sources familiar with the situation clarified that such matters fall under the jurisdiction of the central government. “I should not be speaking on the affairs of Bangladesh since it is a sovereign nation and whatever needs to be said on the issue is a subject matter of the Centre. But I can tell you this, if helpless people come knocking on the doors of [West] Bengal, we will surely shelter them,” Banerjee said at a rally organised in Kolkata by the Trinamool Congress.

Banerjee referred to the UN resolution on refugees to justify her stand. “That’s because there is a UN resolution to accommodate refugees in regions adjacent to those which are in turmoil,” she said, citing the example of people from Assam being allowed to live in the Alipurduars area of West Bengal during the Bodo agitation.

However, one of the people cited above said anonymously, “These are matters which are handled by the union government. A state government has no locus standi on the issue and as such, their comments are misplaced.”

Banerjee assured that her administration would extend support to individuals in West Bengal with family members stuck in Bangladesh due to the unrest. She also mentioned that aid will be given to Bangladeshi nationals in West Bengal encountering challenges in returning to their home country.

She urged the residents of West Bengal to remain calm amidst the ongoing situation in Bangladesh. “We must maintain composure and avoid falling into any traps or getting carried away by the situation,” she stressed.

Why Bangladesh is witnessing this unrest

On the other hand, Bangladesh’s Supreme Court invalidated a previous high court ruling that had reintroduced job quotas for the descendants of veterans from the 1971 liberation war. The high court’s decision in June had sparked violent demonstrations, primarily led by students.

Despite the Supreme Court’s verdict, organisers of the movement against job quotas stated that their protests would persist. They called for accountability for the deaths of students during the protests.

The current unrest in Bangladesh stems from a combination of factors, primarily revolving around political, social and economic issues.

1. Quota in public sector jobs: The immediate trigger for the unrest is the contentious quota system for public sector jobs. This system reserves a substantive percentage of jobs for various groups, including 30% for the children of freedom fighters from the 1971 liberation war. Recent judicial rulings reinstated these quotas, leading to widespread protests from those who view the system as unfair and discriminatory.
2. Violent protests and government response: Protests have escalated into violent confrontations between demonstrators and law enforcement. The government’s response, which includes using rubber bullets, tear gas and water cannons, has been criticized for being excessive and violating international standards for the use of force. The unrest has resulted in several casualties, including dozens of deaths and has seen protesters attacking and setting fire to government buildings and police stations.
3. Political repression: The unrest is also fueled by broader political tensions. Opposition parties, particularly the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), have accused the ruling Awami League of engaging in widespread political repression. This includes mass arrests of opposition leaders and activists, as well as crackdowns on protests, all of which have intensified in the lead-up to the upcoming national elections.
4. Economic and social grievances: Underlying these immediate causes are broader economic and social issues. High unemployment rates, especially among the youth and dissatisfaction with economic conditions have contributed to the public’s willingness to protest. The government’s failure to address these issues effectively has further aggravated the situation.
5. Persecution of Hindus: Described in the next section of this report.

Persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh

Persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh has been a big issue since India’s partition in 1947, characterised by various forms of violence, discrimination, and human rights abuses. Here are some key aspects:

1. Violence and attacks: Hindus in Bangladesh have often been targets of violence, including physical attacks, arson, and vandalism. Homes, temples, and businesses owned by Hindus have been destroyed in communal riots and targeted attacks. These incidents often spike during political unrest or religious festivals.
2. Discrimination and marginalisation: Hindus face systemic discrimination in various sectors, including employment, education, and political representation. There are reports of Hindu students being bullied in schools and Hindu professionals facing bias in their workplaces. Additionally, Hindu candidates are often marginalized in the political arena.
3. Forced conversions and abductions: There have been numerous reports of forced conversions of Hindu women and girls to Islam. In some cases, Hindu women are abducted, forcibly married to Muslim men, and compelled to convert. These incidents are often accompanied by threats and violence against the victims and their families.
4. Property grabs and land seizures: Hindus have historically faced issues with illegal land seizures. The Vested Property Act, initially known as the Enemy Property Act, allowed the government to seize property from individuals it deemed enemies of the state, disproportionately affecting Hindus. Although the law has been repealed, many Hindu families continue to struggle to reclaim their land and property.
5. Cultural and religious suppression: Hindu cultural practices and religious freedoms are often suppressed. Temples have been desecrated, idols destroyed, and religious gatherings disrupted. Hindus frequently face obstacles in practising their religion openly and safely.
6. Government response and legal recourse: While the Bangladeshi government has occasionally taken steps to address these issues, such as arresting perpetrators of violence or providing compensation to victims, these measures are often seen as insufficient. The legal system frequently fails to protect Hindus or provide justice for crimes committed against them, leading to a culture of impunity for attackers.

These factors have combined to create a volatile environment, with palpable public discontent manifesting in widespread and increasingly violent protests. The government’s heavy-handed response and the contentious political climate suggest that the unrest may continue for some time.