Turmoil in Bangladesh has escalated as young graduates face challenges entering the workforce in a struggling economy. Unemployment rates among young people are high at nearly 41 percent in a population of 170 million. The student protests initially began over outrage against quotas that reserve 30% of government jobs for the families of those who fought for independence from Pakistan.
Authorities have responded by deploying police and paramilitary forces, shutting down university campuses and banning public gatherings. Despite these measures, protests continue as students express frustration over corruption and irregularities in government job recruitment.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has defended the quotas, stating that veterans deserve respect for their contributions to the war regardless of their political affiliation. The situation escalated on Friday when three people were killed as police attempted to suppress the protests.
Reports from Reuters indicate that tear gas has been fired at protesters, and there have been disruptions in telecommunications, including mobile phone services. Some television news channels have also gone off the air. The blackout has made it difficult for individuals like author Nabela Noor to stay in contact with those affected.
In addition to the crackdown on protests, websites for important institutions such as the central bank, the prime minister’s office, and the police have been hacked by a group called THE R3SISTANC3. The hackers have sent messages calling for an end to violence against students and criticizing the government for shutting down the internet to silence dissent.
The situation in Bangladesh is rapidly evolving, with students and activists calling for global awareness and support in their fight for reform. As the protests continue and tensions rise, it remains to be seen how the government will respond and whether any meaningful change will come from the demonstrations.