Protests in Bangladesh turn violent On Friday, 2nd August, Bangladesh banned popular social media apps Instagram, YouTube, TikTok and WhatsApp. Although not confirmed by government officials, Globe Eye News reported this ban on their official X (formerly twitter) account. The limited access to these social media platforms does not come as an out-of-the-blue move. Following the court order on June 5 that restored the earlier scraped reservation rate of 30% for the ‘children of nationally recognised freedom fighters’ from the Bangladeshi Liberation War of 1971, several students and teachers took to the streets. They demanded a merit-based system and protested against the controversial job quota reforms. However, the once peaceful demonstrations turned into violent protests, claiming over 200 lives and leading to more than 10,000 arrests, as reported by Indian Express. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, leader of the Awami League and currently in her 15th year as the Prime Minister, reacted to these protests by restricting access to mobile internet connection on 18th July. A shoot-on-sight order after curfew hours was also issued, all in the name of security and preventing the spread of misinformation. The initial ban on the internet connection uplifted on 23rd July was more comprehensive than the ban imposed on August 2nd, which reportedly targets only mobile data connections. Still, questions still arise on the autocratic nature of the government where the fundamental right to speech and expression has become a distant dream. The latest ban on social media apps has come without any notice on when it will be uplifted. These bans have not put an end to the protests which initially started against the quota reforms but have culminated into a cry for help against Hasina’s authoritarian rule, which has been time and again characterised by violence and corruption. Although the Supreme Court has reduced the reservation rate from 30 to 5 per cent, the people of Bangladesh are not willing to put the weeks of unrest and violence carried out against them under the rug. The government might try to curb the voices of many by implementing such bans and taking away their freedom of speech. Still, the demand for justice prevails as the country once applauded for its economic growth, now faces backlash from the very youth who contribute to its economy.
04 Aug 2024
Paridhi Minda
