News Mania Desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/29th July 2024
Bangladesh has reinstated its mobile internet services after an 11-day blackout imposed in response to widespread student protests. The blackout, which began on July 17, was lifted on Sunday following a crucial meeting between government officials, internet service providers, and other stakeholders. Zunaid Ahmed Palak, the state minister for telecommunications and information technology, confirmed the resumption of 4G mobile internet services on social media. To compensate for the disruption, internet providers have announced a “5G internet bonus” for the next three days.
The mobile internet blackout was a drastic measure taken by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government amid escalating violence and unrest over the controversial government job quota system. The protests were sparked by a recent decision from a High Court bench to reinstate a quota that reserves 30 percent of government jobs for the descendants of veterans from Bangladesh’s 1971 war of independence. This decision reversed a previous abolition of the quotas in 2018, leading to claims of discrimination from student groups.
The student-led demonstrations, initially peaceful, turned violent as they clashed with police. The turmoil has resulted in nearly 200 reported deaths as of last Thursday. The internet shutdown, which was aimed at disrupting the organization and communication of the protesters, significantly complicated their efforts to coordinate and mobilize.
In addition to the internet blackout, the government implemented a curfew with a shoot-on-sight order, which was later modified to a restricted time frame from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Offices and banks, which had been closed or operating under restricted hours, also resumed normal operations last week.
Despite the government’s pledge not to take legal action against student protesters, media reports indicate that approximately 2,700 people have been arrested nationwide. The scale of the unrest and the government’s response reflect the intense and ongoing nature of the conflict over the job quota system.
The resumption of internet services marks a return to normalcy for many Bangladeshis, but the underlying issues remain unresolved. The government’s actions have sparked significant debate about the balance between maintaining order and respecting citizens’ rights to protest. As the situation continues to develop, the focus will likely remain on how the government addresses the demands of the protesters and whether further measures will be taken to prevent future unrest.
