Bangladesh Quota Protest: Why Are Bangladeshi Students Using The 'Razakar' Slogan?

The slogan "Who are you? Who am I? Razakar, Razakar!" has become a war cry for the student protesters across the streets of Bangladesh.

With the police failing to control violent protests against a controversial government job quota system, armed forces began patrolling the streets of Bangladesh after a nationwide curfew was imposed by the government, as reported by Hindustan Times.

Photo Credit: PTI

Bangladesh Quota Protest

Violence escalated following a remark made by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on the demonstrations. On July 14, Hasina stated, "If the grandchildren of freedom fighters do not receive [quota] benefits, who would get it? The grandchildren of Razakars?" In response to this statement, the protesting students retorted: "Tui ke? Ami ke? Razakar, Razakar! (Who are you? Who am I? Razakar, Razakar!)".

On Friday, the central jail in Narsingdi was stormed by protestors, the facility's inmates were freed, and the jail was set on fire. At least 115 people have died amid the protests, and a ban on public gatherings has been enforced. Students have accused the police of collaborating with the ruling Awami League's student wing, Chhatra League, and perpetrating widespread brutality, as reported by Hindustan Times.

Normal life has been disrupted with telecommunication services being cut off, and news broadcasts have been suspended. Several countries, including India, have issued travel advisories, and nearly 1000 Indian students have returned home so far.

Who are Razakars in Bangladesh?

The term Razakars refers to a militia force that assisted the Pakistan Armed Forces in suppressing pro-independence supporters in East Pakistan, now Bangladesh, during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.

The origins of Razakars can be traced to the erstwhile princely state of Hyderabad in post-independence India, as noted by Dr. Muntasir Mamoon, Bangabandhu Chair at Chittagong University in Bangladesh. They were a paramilitary force used by the Nawab of Hyderabad to resist integration with India post-1947. Following their defeat in Operation Polo by India, their leader, Qazim Rizvi, migrated to Pakistan.

In May 1971, the first set of Razakars in East Pakistan's Khulna was formed by Maulana Abul Kalam Muhammad Yusuf, a senior member of the Jamaat-e-Islami, as per Hindustan Times. Armed Razakars, comprised of migrated Biharis and socio-economically disadvantaged individuals, aided the Pakistan Army in suppressing pro-independence freedom fighters and terrorizing civilians during the war. In modern Bangladesh, being labeled a 'Razakar' is considered the worst form of slur and indignity.

The word has been adopted by protesting students as a form of retort to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's statement, which they found deeply offensive. Another slogan that has emerged is "Chaite gelam odhikar, hoye gelam Razakar" ("I went to ask for rights; instead became a Razakar").

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina questioned whether the protestors truly understood the history of Bangladesh and the role of Razakars in the 1971 genocide and crimes against Bangladeshi women. She expressed anger, stating, "They did not witness the bodies lying in the streets, yet they feel no shame in calling themselves Razakars."

What are Bangladesh students protesting?

The country's system reserves 56 percent of government jobs for certain groups, including 30 percent for the descendants of veterans from the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. The protesting students argue that the current government job quota system is unfair and counter to merit.

They also claim it benefits supporters of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the daughter of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangladesh's first Prime Minister and a hero of the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. Tensions over the quota system have been ongoing in Bangladesh. In 2018, the government scrapped the freedom quota after protests demanded it be capped at 10%, as per media reports.

On June 5, a division court of the Bangladesh Supreme Court restored the 30 percent quota system for freedom fighters following a petition by the children of veterans. The ruling Awami League has expressed agreement with the students' sentiments and has appealed for calm until the Supreme Court reviews the government's appeal against the High Court ruling on August 7.