More than a hundred students from University of Manitoba Bangladeshi Students’ Association (UMBSA) gathered Sunday night to support protesters in their home country calling for changes to the allocation of government jobs.
Bangladesh has been gripped by violence this week over the government’s quota system for public-sector jobs, which has sparked anger among students who face high unemployment rates. This has led to deadly clashes between protesters, security forces and pro-government student activists.
Jannat Ul Firdous, a psychology student at U of M, moved to Winnipeg three months ago and says the quota is discriminatory.
“If there is a quota, it might not affect me but it will definitely affect the future assets of Bangladesh. We should give privilege to the family of freedom fighters but not so much that our merit doesn’t show at some point. Where is the justice?” Firdous said Sunday.
Firdous says peaceful protest is a fundamental democratic right, and it is crucial that students’ voices are heard. In Winnipeg, students got together first at the University of Manitoba campus and continued at the International Mother Tongue Plaza in Kirkbridge Park.
“Let’s talk about this. I know the government wants this, but let’s talk about it. That’s what we wanted. And then we just never expected. Would you ever expect the police to fire [at] you?”
Student protesters in Bangladesh are demanding their government abolish a quota system that reserves up to 30 per cent of government jobs for families of those who fought for Bangladesh’s freedom in the country’s 1971 war with Pakistan. Internet and mobile services have been severed following clashes that have left dozens dead in recent days.
“Since this morning I have no idea what is happening to my parents. I am not able to talk to them or communicate with them, none of my friends, nobody at all,” Firdous said.
Firdous says through this gathering, the students in Winnipeg are trying to build awareness about what is happening back in their home country.
“In order to ensure the voices of the students are taken seriously, we need the world to see and question the responsible parties as they are almost unfazed even after the crackdown on students.”
Feeling helpless, shattered
Sudipta Dip, a computer engineering student at U of M, said he has not been able to connect with family or friends back home since Sunday morning. A friend of his has also died back home.
“This morning I was totally shattered. I couldn’t connect with my parents, I was even trying to call them, like a normal phone call, that wasn’t even working. They jammed everything, they were using signal jammer vehicles everywhere.”
Dip says he feels helpless, shattered and deeply concerned watching the situation play out from afar.
“Sometimes I feel privileged that I got a chance to stay out of the country. I can’t imagine myself being there and facing the same situation.”
Dip says they have prepared a formal petition to MLA Terry Duguid signed by 300 protestors. “He promised us through his assistant that he will submit the petition to the foreign affairs minister today.”
Dip says the group is planning to do another protest in front of the legislative building tomorrow at 11 a.m., and are also hoping to have a major rally afterward.
Mohammed Bin Mubarak, another student at U of M, says his friend was shot in the chest while at the protest.
“My body is here but my mind is back in Bangladesh. I wish I could express my feelings to you.”
Mubarak is frustrated with the government there.
“Our Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has to step out from her chair because whatever she is doing to our brothers and sisters is ridiculous and wrong.”
Victoria Mer Canjura is Ukrainian-Canadian, and said she came to the gathering Sunday to show her support to the community.
“As Canadians it’s our duty and our right to use our privilege out here to speak up for those who are unheard and to stand up for the people of Bangladesh and to call on the government … we have the resources to amplify this cause and that’s what we must do.”