The Capitals: Dhaka in turmoil; Manila secures crucial diplomatic win over Beijing; and more

New Delhi

The deadly protests in Bangladesh are expected to recede as Supreme Court pared back contentious civil service hiring rules. Manila secured a crucial diplomatic win over Beijing over its right to resupply for its mission to a remote island in South China Sea. In Kathmandu, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli won a vote of confidence. 

Read in The Capitals for more

Dhaka, Bangladesh

On July 14, 2024, more than a month after a controversial June 5 verdict by Bangladesh High Court led to massive protests in Bangladesh, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina addressed a press conference. The court had declared Hasina government's 2018 decision to cancel 30 per cent reservation for descendants of freedom fighters illegal. High Court's June 5 verdict was up for challenge in Supreme Court for August 7, 2024. 

Protesters shield themselves with a metal sheet during a clash with Border Guard  Bangladesh (BGB) and the police outside the state-owned Bangladesh Television as violence erupted across the country after anti-quota protests by students, in Dhaka,  Bangladesh on July 19, 2024 | Photograph:(Reuters)

"Why is there so much resentment towards freedom fighters? If the grandchildren of freedom fighters don’t get quota benefits, should the grandchildren of Razakars?," Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said in a July 14 press conference. 

While the protests erupted in the wake of reinstatement of 30 per cent quota for freedom fighters and their descendants in government jobs, they quickly escalated into a flashpoint over Razakars. 

In the Bangladeshi society, the worst indignity has been to be branded a Razakar; a member of the East Pakistani volunteer force that worked against Bangladesh's creation during the 1971 war of liberation.

But the protesters soon made Hasina's Razakar reference into a street protest phrase. Soon after, Bangladeshi streets were filled with the slogan, "Tui Ke? Ami Ke? Razakar, Razakar/Ke boleche, ke boleche, Sairachar, Sairachar (Who are you? Who am I? We are Razakars. Who is branding us? The dictator, the dictator)".

Also read | How PM Hasina's 'razakar' barb became catchword of Bangladesh protests; here's what it means

At the time of filing The Capitals, 155 people are reported killed in the nationwide unrest. An overwhelming number of them were killed this week, after PM Hasina's 'razakar' barb.

"The protests reflect deep political and economic tensions in Bangladesh. For several years, Bangladesh's economy has been struggling and youth unemployment is a serious problem," Crisis Group’s Asia Director, Pierre Prakash told WION.

Bangladesh's civil strife forced Supreme Court to prepone the August 7 hearing over high court decision. On Sunday (July 21), the top court pared back contentious civil service hiring rules. 

Also read | Cast From The Past: When Kissinger failed to make China attack India during 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War

Soldiers are patrolling cities across Bangladesh but a nationwide internet blackout since Thursday has drastically restricted the flow of information to the outside world.

Washington D.C., United States

Dozens of Democrat leaders have called upon an ageing Joe Biden — who White House claimed tested positive for Covid earlier this week — to step aside from the November presidential race as a turbocharged Donald Trump continues to edge past the Democrat veteran. 

Also read | How Trump assassination attempt has turbocharged his presidential re-run

Reports in the US media say that Biden advisers are discussing the details, timing and setting of a possible withdrawal announcement. Vice President Kamala Harris is topping the list of presidential nominee hopefuls among the Democrats.

Also read | 'Julius Caesar-ing' of Joe Biden picks pace as over 30 Democrats urge withdrawal from White House race

With Biden's influence on decline, the corridors of power in Washington's District of Columbia appear poised for an announcement of consequence ahead of November elections.

Manila, Philippines

More than a month after the China Coast Guard attacked Filipino soldiers during a resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal in mid-June 2024, Manila announced on Sunday (July 21) that it had "reached an understanding on the provisional arrangement" with China on these missions. 

"The Philippines and the People’s Republic of China have reached an understanding on the provisional arrangement for the resupply of daily necessities and rotation missions to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal," said the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in a statement. 

Also watch: China Anchors 'Monster' Ship Inside Philippines’ Exclusive Zone | Beijing-Manila Dispute | Gravitas

Manila did not release details of the said arrangement, but said "both sides continue to recognise the need to de-escalate the situation in the South China Sea and manage differences through dialogue and consultation and agree that the agreement will not prejudice each other’s positions in the South China Sea."

Notably, the draft deal did not include two Chinese demands.

Beijing wanted Manila not to bring construction materials, and to give "advance notice and the right to inspect the ships."

Manila rejected these demands and the final arrangement did not include these provisions.

Kathmandu, Nepal

In Kathmandu, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli managed to keep his hold over power after he won the vote of confidence in the House of Representatives. The prime minister was backed by 188 members of the 275-member parliament whereas 74 lawmakers voted against him. The PM was required to get support from at least 138 lawmakers.

Oli will lead the new coalition government amid consistent crisis for the lack of political stability in the landlocked South Asian country. 

At 72, he succeeds Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda who lost the vote of confidence in the House of Representatives on July 12.