Bangladesh Unrest: Why The Term ‘Razakar’ Provoked Unprecedented Violence During Quota Protests

Quota protests in Bangladesh have turned violent, resulting in the deaths of at least 133 people. PM Sheikh Hasina has been criticized for her handling of protests, with some calling her a dictator.

Quota protests in Bangladesh have spiralled out of control. Soldiers were patrolling cities around the clock to quell growing civil unrest sparked by student demonstrations, with riot police firing on protesters who defied a government curfew. This week's violence has killed at least 133 people so far, posing a monumental challenge to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's autocratic government after 15 years in office.

The demonstrations started weeks ago to protest a quota system that reserves up to 30 per cent of government jobs for relatives of veterans who fought in Bangladesh’s war of independence in 1971. The protests turned violent earlier this week on Tuesday when thousands of anti-quota protesters across the country clashed with members of the ruling Awami League’s student wing, Bangladesh Chhatra League, killing several students. Prior to the killings, Hasina on July 14 labelled those opposing the quota as "razakar" - a term used for those who allegedly collaborated with the Pakistani army during the 1971 war. 

Already angry with the Hasina government, the protesting students became more enraged after hearing the term ‘Razakar’ in the PM’s July 14 address. Now, they are actively labelling Hasina a ‘dictator’ due to the state’s brutal crackdown on agitators. Protestors are saying they’d much prefer ‘Razakars’ over a dictator like her. In protest, they came up with several different slogans to deride Hasina’s statement. While one was: “Tui ke? Ami ke? Razakar, Razakar!” (“Who are you? Who am I? Razakar, Razakar!”), another was: “Chaite gelam odhikar, hoye gelam Razakar.” (“I went to ask for rights; instead became a Razakar"), according to a report by Reuters. 

Significance Of Word 'Razakar' In Bangladesh

The term ‘Razakar’ is considered derogatory in Bangladesh, where people associate it with atrocities committed during the Bangladesh Liberation War, also known as the Bangladesh War of Independence in 1971. Before the 1971 Liberation War, the Pakistan Armed Forces, in what was then East Pakistan, created three main militias to suppress civil disobedience and target freedom fighters. They were called the Razakars, the al-Badr and the al-Shams, according to a report by Indian Express. 

These militia groups, with the support of the Pakistan Armed Forces, subjected Bengalis to genocidal rape, torture, murder and forced deportation, among other forms of violence and abuse. As per a report by report by BBC Bangla, the term has been long used to describe Bangladeshis who sided with the Pakistani government which was ousted by Muktijoddhas led by Sheikh Hasina’s father Sheikh Mujibur Rehma following the 1971 Liberation War which led to the birth of the nation.

Now, when someone is called Razakar in Bangladesh, the person is often considered equivalent to being a traitor.

What Hasina Said?

During a press conference on July 14, when Hasina was asked about the student protests, she said, “If the grandchildren of freedom fighters do not receive (quota) benefits, who would get it? The grandchildren of Razakars?”

Talking to Indian Express, an Awami League supporter said Hasina’s remark was a sarcastic, rhetorical question, asking whether the grandchildren of Razakars should get quota benefits when it comes to jobs in Bangladesh.

But the remark further triggered anger among students, escalating an already tense situation. Protesters claim that Hasina is labelling them as Razakars to curb dissent.

Current Situation In Bangladesh

The United States has asked its citizens not to travel to Bangladesh and allowed the voluntary departure of its non-emergency government employees and family members in view of the ongoing civil unrest in the South Asian country. The development comes just a day after the US issued a new travel advisory for Bangladesh, urging Americans to reconsider their travel to the strife-torn country.

Authorities in Bangladesh have imposed a strict curfew across the country and military personnel patrolled parts of the capital to quell further violence after days of clashes over the allocation of government jobs left more than 40 people dead and hundreds injured. 

The Government of Bangladesh has declared a curfew throughout Bangladesh, ordering everyone to stay indoors. The Bangladeshi Army has been deployed throughout the country to reinforce the police. Telecommunications have been interrupted in Dhaka and across the country.