Protests Erupt in Bangladesh Over Job Quotas

Bangladeshi students are set to resume protests after the government ignored their demands to release detained leaders and apologize for recent violence that resulted in at least 205 deaths, including police casualties. The unrest, sparked by opposition to a 30% civil service job quota for relatives of ex-servicemen, has led to thousands of arrests and a nationwide curfew. Student leaders from the group Students Against Discrimination have been among those detained, prompting calls for a nationwide rally to garner public support. Their demands include an apology from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the dismissal of certain ministers, and the reopening of schools and universities. Although the government has restored mobile internet after an 11-day shutdown, security forces remain active, indicating ongoing tensions. Critics argue that the government's crackdown reflects increasing autocracy under Hasina's administration, marked by mass arrests and suppression of dissent.