Internet Remains Unrestored in Bangladesh Despite Calm After Deadly Protests .

 

### Internet Shutdown in Bangladesh Persists Despite Calm After Protests

Bangladesh remains without internet for a fifth day, and the government has declared a public holiday on Monday. Authorities continue to exercise tight control despite the apparent calm following a court order that reduced a controversial system for allocating government jobs.

Earlier in the week, a curfew with a shoot-on-sight order was implemented, and military personnel were seen patrolling the capital and other areas.

The South Asian country recently experienced clashes between police and mainly student protesters, who demanded the end of a quota reserving 30% of government jobs for relatives of veterans from Bangladesh’s 1971 war of independence. According to at least four local newspapers, the violence has resulted in over a hundred deaths. However, authorities have not yet released official death tolls.

No immediate violence was reported on Monday morning after the Supreme Court ordered on Sunday that the veterans' quota be reduced to 5%. This decision means that 93% of civil service jobs will now be merit-based, while the remaining 2% will be reserved for ethnic minorities, transgender individuals, and disabled people.

On Sunday night, some student protesters called on the government to restore internet services. Hasnat Abdullah, a coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, announced to the Associated Press that they were withdrawing their calls for a complete shutdown, which they had attempted to impose the previous week.

“We are issuing an ultimatum for 48 hours to stop the digital crackdown and restore internet connectivity,” he said. He added that security officials deployed at various universities should be withdrawn, student dormitories reopened, and steps taken to ensure students can return to their campuses safely. Abdullah also demanded the government end the curfew and return the country to normal within two days.

Students have also called for the resignation of certain university officials who failed to protect campuses. Sarjis Alam, another coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, stated that they would continue their protests if all demands were not met. “We cannot step back from our movement like cowards,” he added.

Nahid Islam, another key organizer of the student protests, told reporters that the internet shutdown had disrupted their ability to communicate, alleging that authorities were trying to create divisions among protesters. “I am mentally traumatized ... our unity is being destroyed,” he said.

The US Embassy in Dhaka described the situation on Sunday as “extremely volatile” and “unpredictable,” noting that guns, tear gas, and other weapons had been used near the embassy. The embassy reported the deployment of the Bangladeshi army and urged Americans to be vigilant, avoid large crowds, and reconsider travel plans.

The protests represent the most serious challenge to Bangladesh’s government since Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina won a fourth consecutive term in January elections that were boycotted by the main opposition groups. Universities have been closed, the internet has been shut off, and the government has ordered people to stay at home.

Protesters argued that the quota system was discriminatory and benefited supporters of Hasina, whose Awami League party led the independence movement, and sought its replacement with a merit-based system. Hasina defended the quota system, asserting that veterans deserve the highest respect regardless of political affiliation.

The main opposition, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has backed the protests, vowing to organize its own demonstrations as many of its supporters joined the student-led protests.

The Awami League and the BNP have frequently accused each other of fueling political chaos and violence, most recently in the lead-up to the national election, which was marred by a crackdown on several opposition figures.