Mass protests broke out in Bangladesh in early July over a controversial quota system that reserved 30% of government jobs for relatives of veterans who fought in the 1971 war. But the issue over which people protested quickly expanded to include broader demands around freedom of speech and democracy. As the protests expanded, so too did the repression and in about 5 weeks of protests, as of August 2, there were about 215 deaths and more than 20,000 others injured, accompanied by more than 11,000 arrests in various parts of the country. 

My guest today is Taslima Akhter, President of Bangladesh Garment Workers Solidarity, and a participant and activists in this protest movement.