Across Bangladesh, students are taking to the streets to protest, “Who are you? Who am I? Razakar, Razakar!” Such announcements are being made.

Dhaka: In light of growing student-led protests against the government in Bangladesh, the country has imposed a nationwide curfew and suspended mobile internet services. According to official statements, these drastic measures were deemed necessary to prevent the spread of misinformation.

Authorities have also closed schools and universities indefinitely following the curfew.
Amid the ongoing nationwide protests against job quotas in Bangladesh, the Border Security Force (BSF) conducted a security check at the Indian Immigration Check Post at Phulbari, Jalpaiguri.

“Who are you? Who am I? Razakar, Razakar!

Across Bangladesh, students are taking to the streets to protest, their voices in solidarity, “Who are you? Who am I? Razakar, Razakar!” The slogans are being seen as a collective message by the protesters in response to the controversial quota policy for government jobs.

As of Saturday, Bangladeshi authorities are scrambling to contain the growing unrest, even forcing the military to step in. Also, control operations have started in line with the entire nation coming under curfew.

Why are the protesters shouting slogans at Razakar?

The protests turned violent after Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina made controversial comments about the protests. On July 14, Prime Minister Hasina said, “If the grandchildren of freedom fighters don't get it [quota] Benefits, who will get? Razakar's grandson?”

In response to this statement, the protesting students opened fire and chanted “Tui ke? Amy what? Enjoy, enjoy! (Who are you? Who am I? Razakar, Razakar!)”.

Who are Razakar?

During the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971, a militia unit known as the Razakar existed. They stood shoulder to shoulder with the Pakistani army, helping them quell the growing clamor for independence in East Pakistan, the region we know today as Bangladesh.

The protests began after students reacted violently against a new policy of reserving a portion of government jobs for the descendants of the country's freedom fighters. Furthermore, protesters stormed the headquarters of state television in Dhaka and torched police booths as they called for a “total shutdown” of the country on Thursday.

Street battles between security forces using rubber bullets and tear gas have brought life to a standstill in several neighborhoods in Bangladesh, The Washington Post reported, citing Bangladeshi media.

(with input from agencies)