Five people have been killed and many injured in Bangladesh during student protests against the government’s job quota system, which has led to widespread violence.

Clashes erupted in the capital amid ongoing anti-quota demonstrations, resulting in hundreds of injuries as students opposed the quota linked to rising unemployment. The protests began in early July after a court ruling reinstated a quota for children of 1971 liberation war fighters, leading to significant backlash.

Read more: Controversy Erupts: Bangladesh Students Rally Against Job Recruitment Bias

Students from various groups across Bangladesh are leading the protests, calling for reforms to a system that reserves over half of government jobs. They advocate for a merit-based approach and organize through social media under the Students Against Discrimination movement.

Despite the government deploying riot police and paramilitary forces, violence escalated, with accusations that ruling party affiliates provoked clashes against the protesters.

The government has also accused the protesters of anti-national sentiment. Tensions remain high, with ongoing casualties and conflicts between protesters and the ruling party’s student wing, the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL).