In light of the volatile situation, the High Commission of India in Dhaka and the Assistant High Commissioners of India in Chittagong, Sylhet and Khulna have established 24-hour emergency contact numbers for Indian citizens and students who require assistance:

Dhaka: Amid ongoing protests in Bangladesh over the current job quota system, the Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka issued an urgent advisory for Indian nationals and students to avoid unnecessary travel and minimize movement outside their residence due to the growing unrest in the country. The advice comes in response to recent violent clashes between students and police in Dhaka following the Bangladeshi government's decision to close all public and private universities.

Check emergency contact numbers

In light of the volatile situation, the High Commission of India in Dhaka and the Assistant High Commissioners of India in Chittagong, Sylhet and Khulna have established 24-hour emergency contact numbers for Indian citizens and students who require assistance:

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)

Why did the protests start in Bangladesh?

The protests have been fueled by demands to reform the country's quota system for civil service jobs, which reserves posts for certain groups, including descendants of those who took part in the 1971 war of independence against Pakistan.

Students of Brac University participating in a peaceful protest were attacked by the police
All eyes on Bangladesh#Save_the_Bangladeshi_Students#StudentsUnderAttack#QuotaReform#quotamovement #BanglaBlocked Shut down #Bangladesh pic.twitter.com/ihUD1gHE3v

— Pujanta Das Tirtha (@pujanta71) 18 July 2024

On Thursday, protests intensified as students clashed with law enforcers at various locations in Dhaka. At Merul Badda near BRAC University, protesters blocked roads and engaged in violent clashes with police, resulting in several injuries. By late morning, police fired tear gas to disperse the crowd, causing major traffic disruption in the area, the Dhaka Tribune reported.

Students blocked the Dhaka-Chittagong highway

Besides, the students obstructed the entrance of Basundhara residential area on Pragati Sarani and blocked the Dhaka-Chittagong highway in Jatrabari, severely affecting public transport and causing great inconvenience. There was also heavy police presence in and around Mirpur 10 roundabout, with many local markets and shops closed.

The protests began in response to alleged police brutality and have evolved into broader demands for justice for those injured or killed in earlier protests, as well as demands for violence-free campuses and rational reform of the quota system, Dhaka reported. Tribune.

Recent protests have been fueled by dissatisfaction with Bangladesh's quota system, which sets aside a significant number of civil service positions for certain groups. The system has been a contentious issue in Bangladesh for years, with current demonstrations showing deep frustration with both the quota system and law enforcement's response to peaceful student protests.