Students in Kolkata staged a rally on 19th July, 2024, in support of the ongoing protests in Bangladesh against the quota system in government jobs. The protest, led by the All India Democratic Students Organisation (AIDSO), saw students from various universities and organisations participate. The rally began at the Academy of Fine Arts area and attempted to march to the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission office but was stopped by the police . The students were seen holding placards and banners expressing solidarity with the Bangladeshi protesters.
The protests in Bangladesh have been met with violence from the authorities, resulting in the deaths of at least 39 people. The Bangladeshi government has responded to the movement with an iron fist, shutting down mobile internet services to suppress the demonstrations.
The students in Kolkata raised slogans against Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her government . They also clashed with the police, resulting in the detention of several protesters.
The protest in Kolkata is a show of solidarity with the Bangladeshi students who are demanding the abolition of the quota system that reserves up to 30% of government jobs for the family members of veterans from Bangladesh’s 1971 war of independence. The students believe that this system is unfair and that jobs should be awarded based on merit.
This rally is a testament to the power of student movements and their ability to transcend borders. The students in Kolkata are standing in solidarity with their counterparts in Bangladesh, demanding justice and equality in the face of oppression.
