Protests in Bangladesh continued Saturday by students opposed to the government's job quota system.
Debris and fallen trees filled Dhaka's streets, with some protesters gathering despite a curfew enforced by the army to curb violence that has caused 114 deaths and thousands of injuries this week.
The protests focus on a controversial system reserving government jobs for specific groups.
In Sydney, Bangladeshi-Australians rallied in Lakemba to raise awareness about the violence in Bangladesh.
This Bangladeshi Australian doctor wishes to remain anonymous out of fear his family back home in Bangladesh could suffer repercussions.
We will call him Mohammed.
"There has been a quota system, if you understand, there was a different quota for different category or group of students in Bangladesh who wants to secure a job in the government, for the positions to work as Officer at a different level. So out of 100 positions, for an example, up to 55 being supposed to be allocated to different quotas. You know, that includes, you know, for the family of freedom fighters who fought, you know, against Pakistan in 1971 for Bangladesh; I'm talking about 53 years ago."
Currently, 30 per cent of public sector positions are allocated to the families of veterans who fought in the 1971 war of independence.
Mohammed explains that those who fought against Pakistan have long since retired from their positions, or have died.
Like those protesting in Bangladesh, Mohammed feels it's time to do away with the quotas system and give all Bangladeshis a fair go.
"They have already passed away. There's maybe their ancestors, or, you know, they're sort of, sort of grandkids, maybe in that stage, you know, the university students. They're no longer part of that, you know, that freedom fighters group anymore, because it has to be more fair for the students and for everyone to have that system that should be based only on the merit, not on the quotation or the quota. So what that means is is a heavily discriminated systems. Only 45 per cent allowed for the general population, and the remaining 55 per cent for a very small group of privileged group who secured the position just on the basis of this current rule."
Mohammed Raihan is a student at Dhaka University.
Mr Raihan echoes Mohammed's sentiments.
“If we see the current situation of Bangladesh, I don't think children of freedom fighters have the age to quality for the job, they are too old for the job. I don't think the grandchildren of freedom fighters should get a quota of jobs, as one generation has already had the chance to take the quota. If I take part in the freedom fight and something bad happens, that can affect my children's life, not my grandchildren's. So for that, freedom fighters can get benefits for the one time, and they got that. So we are saying that there shouldn’t be any more benefits. However, we are not saying to abolish the quota system, we are talking about reforming the system.”
On Friday, Bangladesh's government turned off the internet.
Now there is very little news coming out of Bangladesh, something that has Bangladeshi Australian Rubayat Hasan very concerned.
"I'm very worried. My younger brother, he's also a university student, he is also in the protest, so I'm very worried about my family and also my friends, whoever is joining them. We can't communicate with them what's going over there because all the internet and wifi, everything is blocked. We can't reach them, even they can't reach us. They're facing a lot of problems. They're getting beat from the government and the police and the situation is out of hand now."
The student protests in Bangladesh began weeks ago but escalated sharply this week when student activists clashed with police at Dhaka University.
Tear gas, rubber bullets, and water cannons were used to disperse crowds.
The government denies allegations of brutality but acknowledges the need for dialogue.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has called for calm and urged students to express their demands through peaceful means.
A curfew is in place with police authorised to shoot on sight those breaking the curfew.
The curfew, began at midnight on Friday local time and was set to last until Sunday morning.
Australians are urged to reconsider any travel plans to Bangladesh.
The Department of Foreign Affairs' SmartTraveller service upgraded the country’s emergency status, calling on Australians to “reconsider your need to travel”.
For those in Bangladesh, the department is advising Australians to avoid large gatherings, including protests, demonstrations and rallies and to "shelter in a safe place and follow the advice of local authorities.
