Produced by: Tarun Mishra
For 5 days (18th July to 23rd July), the government had shut down broadband WiFi connections, 3G and 4G as a measure to control the spread of information and prevent protesters from organizing online. This was done in response to the protests against the quota system that reserves 30% of government jobs for the families of veterans who fought in Bangladesh's war of independence against Pakistan in 1971. Even though the Internet is working, it is really slow in most regions.
Thousands of students from various universities in Dhaka, including Dhaka University, took to the streets to protest against the quota system. The protests started peacefully but soon turned violent as students clashed with security forces.
The protests continued and became more widespread, with students from other universities joining in. The government imposed a curfew and deployed the army to control the situation. The terror outfit Jamaat-e-Islami was found guilty of inciting violent riots across the country.
The protests spread to other cities in Bangladesh, including Chittagong and Sylhet. The government had shut down mobile internet services and blocked social media platforms to control the spread of information.
The Supreme Court of Bangladesh ruled that the veterans' quota must be cut to 5%, with 93% of jobs to be allocated on merit. The ruling was seen as a victory for the protesters, but they continue to demand the complete abolition of the quota system. Bangladesh Government banned Jamaat-e-Islami and its student outfit under terrorism charges after they failed to curb the violent rioters.
The protests continued, with students from various universities across the country joining in. The government attempted to negotiate with the protesters, but they refused to back down.
The protests turned more violent as they clashed with security forces. The government responded by deploying more troops and imposing stricter curfew rules.
The violence escalated further, with reports of looting and arson in some areas. The government declared a state of emergency and deployed the army to maintain order.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigns and flees the country as protesters storm her palace. The military seizes control, and promises to form an interim government.
The death toll from the unrest rose to nearly 300, with thousands injured. The situation remains volatile as different groups are now trying to grab the power.