The entry of the word ‘Razakar’ made the situation in Bangladesh uncontrollable, know its meaning

New Delhi: Tui ke? Ami ke? Razakar, Razakar (Who are you? Who am I? Razakar, Razakar) A word Razakar has spread fire in India’s neighboring country Bangladesh. As soon as this word entered the protests going on for several days in Bangladesh demanding reform of the reservation system in government jobs, the matter escalated. The matter escalated so much that the government of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced a nationwide curfew in Bangladesh on Friday. So far more than 100 people have died in the violence there. The army has also been deployed to maintain peace. Amidst the protests of students, changing the criteria of reservation, what is Razakar, whose entry has fuelled the fire in Bangladesh?

What is the discrimination in reservation?
University students in Bangladesh have been protesting against the recruitment system since July 1. They say that this recruitment process is discriminatory and favors the children and grandchildren of war heroes of the Bangladesh Liberation War for high-paying government jobs. The protesters are demanding recruitment based on merit. Currently in Bangladesh, one-third of these government posts are reserved for the children of those who fought for the country’s independence in 1971. Some of these posts are also reserved for women and the disabled. The protesters say that this system is discriminatory and it benefits the supporters of PM Sheikh Hasina. They demand that it should be done on the basis of merit.

The entry of Razakars made the matter worse
On July 14, when Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina was asked by the media about the student protests, she replied that if the grandchildren of freedom fighters will not get the benefit (of quota), then who will get it. The grandchildren of Razakars. Angered by Sheikh Hasina’s statement, some protesting students retaliated and started shouting slogans of Tui ke, Ami ke, Razakars, Razakars. The matter worsened as some students called themselves Razakars amid the protests. This incident created a huge controversy in the country. The protest turned quite violent on Thursday. The protesters set fire to the government television station. Rail services had to be shut down due to the violence. Mobile internet has been shut down in many parts of the country. Schools and colleges are also closed indefinitely and eventually a curfew had to be imposed.

Who were the Razakars and what is their relation with Bangladesh?
Razakars were a brutal paramilitary force formed by the Pakistan Army during the Bangladesh Liberation War. They committed atrocities against freedom fighters and the people of Bangladesh. Even today, the term Razakar is a derogatory term in Bangladesh used to describe traitors and oppressors. Razakars worked as spies for the Pakistan Army and terrorised the people of Bangladesh. Razakars means volunteer or helper. Many were pro-Pakistan Bengalis who were against the partition of East and West Pakistan. They sided with the Pakistan Army during the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971.

India said – this is an internal matter of Bangladesh
India termed the violent protests in Bangladesh as an internal matter of that country. Foreign Ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal said that about 15,000 Indians, including 8,000 students, are currently living in Bangladesh and they are safe. The spokesman said that we have issued an advisory to Indian citizens and our students living in Bangladesh for their safety and assistance if needed. The helpline number is active 24 hours for contact. Jaiswal said that Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar himself is closely monitoring the matter.