Quota protests rooted in deeper economic, political issues: Economists | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Get the Paper
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Thursday
July 24, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Get the Paper
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
THURSDAY, JULY 24, 2025
Quota protests rooted in deeper economic, political issues: Economists

Economy

TBS Report
04 August, 2024, 06:40 pm
Last modified: 04 August, 2024, 06:55 pm

Related News

  • 2 July 2024: Campuses across the country unite against ‘irrational quotas’
  • Upcoming budget follows previous govt’s framework, say economists
  • Dip in exports, possible global economic slowdown: How Bangladeshi economists view Trump's tariffs
  • Strengthen institutions before liberalising import: Economists
  • Poor air quality hampers productivity, affects economy, expert warns

Quota protests rooted in deeper economic, political issues: Economists

TBS Report
04 August, 2024, 06:40 pm
Last modified: 04 August, 2024, 06:55 pm
Clashes broke out at Mohammadpur bus stand. Photo: Kanchan Kumar Nath/TBS
Clashes broke out at Mohammadpur bus stand. Photo: Kanchan Kumar Nath/TBS

Economists have stressed that understanding the deeper economic and political issues underlying the quota reform protest is more critical than its economic impact, and that the issue should be addressed politically.

"This movement should be viewed in a larger context," said Fahmida Khatun, executive director at the Centre for Policy Dialogue, at a webinar on "Carnage in Bangladesh: What Happened? What's Next?" organised by the Forum for Bangladesh Studies on Saturday.

"The quota movement may seem to have created a series of economic problems, but this problem is economic, political, and social at the same time. As a result, this problem has to be solved politically."

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

She said there is a huge opportunity for young workers. However, market management is not properly followed, and policies are crafted in such a way that only a few people benefit. Economic institutions are not strengthened.

"We hear many stories of high growth and social development, but we see that not everyone can enjoy these benefits equally. Political leadership and bureaucrats create a group for themselves, and they influence policies. As a result, there has been an outburst of deprived students," she added.

The economist also said that some policies in the power sector, ready-made garment sector, and banking sector are designed to benefit only a certain group of people, leaving a large portion of the population deprived.

Due to this austerity policy, the education and health sectors, social protection, and skill development are not given much funding, she added.

Hossain Zillur Rahman, a former adviser to a caretaker government, said the fear of creating a financial crisis in the current situation is not a matter of much concern.

"The agenda of the movement needs to be reviewed in terms of its content and fight. This will serve as our economic game. The reasons behind the problems should be identified. Here, not only quotas, but also issues such as corruption and question leaks have been brought to the fore," he added.

The economist said the students understand that without reforms, their jobs are not guaranteed. These students took to the streets in 2018 for road reform.

"Today's movement is due to economic and political deprivation. They have learnt to understand everything. As a result, the content of the student movement and their emotions should be given more importance than the economic challenges in the current situation," he added.

Jyoti Rahman, director of International Affairs at the Sydney Policy Analysis Centre, said, "The economy we are currently in could collapse at any moment. Production is disrupted. Our economy was small during the mass upheaval of the 1990s, but now the damage could be greater as our economy has grown."

"A call from the movement could lead to a major collapse in remittance inflows, potentially creating a crisis in foreign reserves. Due to the crisis in the dollar, the local currency will depreciate. Prolonged political unrest will impact reserves and remittances, affecting the exchange rate and inflation," said the economist.

Jyoti Rahman, director of International Affairs at the Sydney Policy Analysis Centre, said, "The economy we are currently in could collapse in no time. Production is disrupted. Our economy was small during the mass upheaval of the 1990s. But now the damage can be greater as our economy has grown bigger."

"An urge from the movement could lead to a major collapse in remittance inflows. This may create a crisis in foreign reserves. Due to the crisis in the dollar, the local currency will depreciate. In prolonged political unrest, the effect on reserves and remittances will affect the exchange rate and inflation," said the economist.

Top News

economist / Quota protest / Forum for Bangladesh Studies

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Hasina and Taposh in an event in 2020. Photo: Collected
    Al Jazeera investigation: Hasina, in call with Taposh, talks using helicopter to shoot, crush protesters in July uprising
  • Former Chief Justice ABM Khairul Haque being produced before the Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court  on 24 July 2025. Photo: TBS
    Ex-CJ Khairul sent to jail over July Uprising murder case
  • Representational image. Photo: Collected
    Tariff talks: Bangladesh, US set for crucial virtual meeting on 29 July

MOST VIEWED

  • Photo: Collected
    Bangladeshi man jailed for life in UK for murdering wife in front of their baby
  • Ctg port authority halts contractor recruitment for Kamalapur ICD operations for two months
    Ctg port authority halts contractor recruitment for Kamalapur ICD operations for two months
  • Fire at Cosmo School in Mirpur on 23 July 2025. Photo: TBS
    Fire breaks out at Cosmo School in Mirpur following generator explosion
  • Representational image. File Photo: Rajib Dhar/TBS
    Debate arises as edu adviser says postponed HSC exams of 22 and 24 July will be held on same day
  • BB issues dress code for all, discourages short-sleeved or length dresses, leggings for female staff
    BB issues dress code for all, discourages short-sleeved or length dresses, leggings for female staff
  • Infographics: TBS
    Stay orders won’t shield defaulters: BB governor 

Related News

  • 2 July 2024: Campuses across the country unite against ‘irrational quotas’
  • Upcoming budget follows previous govt’s framework, say economists
  • Dip in exports, possible global economic slowdown: How Bangladeshi economists view Trump's tariffs
  • Strengthen institutions before liberalising import: Economists
  • Poor air quality hampers productivity, affects economy, expert warns

Features

Illustration: TBS

The future of medicine: How innovations will catalyse quantum leaps in healthcare

1h | The Big Picture
Photo: Collected

24 July: More than 1400 arrested, 3 missing coordinators found

22h | Panorama
Photo: Mehedi Hasan/TBS

Aggrieved nation left with questions as citizens rally to help at burn institute

2d | Panorama
Photo: Mehedi Hasan/TBS

Mourning turns into outrage as Milestone students seek truth and justice

2d | Panorama

More Videos from TBS

Europe in trouble due to China-US dispute: Fear of China's seizure of rare minerals

Europe in trouble due to China-US dispute: Fear of China's seizure of rare minerals

34m | Others
Settlement failure may trigger up to 50% tariffs

Settlement failure may trigger up to 50% tariffs

49m | TBS World
Abrar Fahad's family meets with the chief advisor

Abrar Fahad's family meets with the chief advisor

1h | TBS Today
'Golapjan', a victim of multifaceted sexual harassment in the workplace

'Golapjan', a victim of multifaceted sexual harassment in the workplace

1h | TBS Stories
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net