News / Bangladesh
‘As a community we are shocked, saddened and terrified’
“The senseless killing of young people has to stop,” said Naseem Talukdar, an entrepreneur whose connection to the Bangladeshi community in Bristol runs deep.
The second generation British Bangladeshi businessman spoke with Bristol 24/7 following events last week in Bangladesh, where over 100 young people died while protesting.
University students in Bangladesh had taken to the streets demanding change to a system which reserves a third of public sector jobs for the families of veterans from the 1971 war of independence from Pakistan.
is needed now More than ever
Fishponds-based businessman Naseem Taludkar said the situation in Bangladesh is directly affecting the Bangladeshi community in Bristol
Talukdar and other members of the Bristol Bangladeshi community gathered near the Cathedral on Sunday with posters and placards to express solidarity with people of Bangladesh. The rally was organised by the UWE Bristol Bangladesh Society.
“Young people are getting killed simply for asking for better job prospects,” Talukdar said.
He added that most of the young people killed in the recent rallies in Dhaka are no different from those who study in Bristol, with similar “aspirations and dreams.”
Both UWE Bristol and University of Bristol are currently home to some 600 Bangladeshis.
Talukdar explained how Bangladesh has come to a grinding halt as social media networks, internet service and telecommunications have ceased to function, causing a great deal of anxiety among the Bangladeshi community across the world.
He said many Bristol-based students are now stranded in Bangladesh after having returned home to see their families over summer break.
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Talukdar continued: “Like many countries in that part of the world, relations are relying on remittance sent by family members in the UK. They depend on that. It’s a lifeline.
“Also there are people who come to the UK for seasonal work, especially to work in fruit farms. The whole process has come to a halt as there are no means of communication.”
Talukdar founded the charity Projects Against Plastic and is also the director of social responsibility and sustainability at UK Curry Connect, a campaign group that raises awareness of skills shortages in the Asian catering industry.
He expressed disappointment at not being able to carry out some conservation work in Bangladesh where he was planning to plant one million trees next year.
As the current situation lingers, Talukdar reiterated the need to be “level headed” and not to be swayed by false information.
On Sunday Bristol’s Bangladeshi community gathered near Bristol Cathedral to express solidarity with people of Bangladesh
In a statement, UWE’s Bangladesh Society expressed “deep concern and strong support for the students currently protesting in Bangladesh.”
They also said: “We are alarmed by reports of violence against peaceful protesters, including the use of tear gas and aggressive policing tactics. The loss of life is tragic and unacceptable.
“We call for an immediate end to the violence and for a thorough investigation into the deaths of protesters.
“The ongoing internet disruptions in Bangladesh are deeply troubling, as they hinder the flow of information about these critical events.
“We urge our university community and fellow students to stay informed and to raise awareness about the situation.”
All photos: Naseem Talukdar
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