New "anti-quota protests" broke out in Bangladesh on Friday, resulting in two fatalities and over 100 injuries, according to the Associated Press. Thousands of demonstrators gathered in Dhaka and other regions of Bangladesh, calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Over 2,000 protesters gathered in various parts of Dhaka to voice their opposition to Sheikh Hasina’s government, with some chanting "down with the autocrat" and demanding justice for the victims. In the Uttara neighbourhood, clashes broke out between police and students, with security forces using tear gas and stun grenades to disperse the crowd, who were throwing stones.

Tensions escalated on Saturday as student leaders rejected Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s invitation to discuss the ongoing protests. Last month's demonstrations against civil service job quotas sparked severe unrest, resulting in over 200 deaths in some of the worst violence seen during Hasina's 15-year rule. The group "Students Against Discrimination," which organised the initial protests, has called for a widespread non-cooperation movement starting on Sunday.

Students are demanding a public apology from Hasina for last month's violence and the removal of several of her ministers. They are also calling for the government to reopen schools and universities, which have been closed since the peak of the unrest.

Sheikh Hasina has proposed a meeting with protest coordinators and ordered the release of detained students as large crowds gathered in the streets of Dhaka on Saturday. "My doors are open. I want to sit with protesters and listen to them. I don’t want any conflict," she said.

She is accusing the two main opposition parties, which support the students, of inciting the violence. On Thursday, her government imposed a ban on the country's largest Islamist party, Jamaat-e-Islami, prohibiting it from all political activities due to its alleged involvement in the unrest.

The government restricted the Jamaat-e-Islami party and all affiliated groups on terrorism charges, according to a notice issued by the Home Ministry on August 1.

The current unrest is Hasina's most significant challenge since the deadly protests following her victory in the January elections, which were boycotted by the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party. Last month, student groups led demonstrations against job quotas in government positions, including a 30% reservation for families of veterans from the 1971 war of independence from Pakistan.

These demonstrations turned violent, resulting in at least 150 deaths, thousands of injuries, and approximately 10,000 arrests. The protests temporarily subsided after the Supreme Court reduced most quotas. Despite the Court lowering the veterans' quota to 5%, protests continued, reflecting broader dissatisfaction with the government and growing economic discontent.

Image source: AFP