What's behind Bangladesh's massive student protests? | DW News

DW News
DW News
361,234
0
Published 2024-07-18
Bangladeshi authorities cut several mobile internet services on Thursday for "security" reasons following student protests. "Mobile internet has been temporarily suspended due to various rumors and the unstable situation created... on social media," Zunaid Ahmed Palak, the junior information technology minister, told reporters. Services would be restored once the situation returned to normal, Palak added. Shops and offices were open in Dhaka, the capital, but there were fewer buses on the streets. The government has ordered schools and universities to close indefinitely amid the protests.

Why are students protesting in Bangladesh?
Students have been demanding the abolition of a quota of 30% reserved for the families of those who fought in the 1971 war of independence from Pakistan. Protesters argue that the reservations have led to widespread unemployment in the South Asian country. Bangladesh has nearly 32 million young people who are out of work or education among a population of 170 million. At least six people have been killed and hundreds injured in the protests in recent days. On Thursday, protests continued nationwide, with police firing tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse demonstrators.

Authorities had shut all public and private universities indefinitely from Wednesday and sent riot police and the Border Guard paramilitary force to university campuses to keep order. In a speech on Wednesday, Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina promised her government would set up a judicial panel to investigate the deaths after police fired bullets and tear gas to scatter protesters. Hasina urged the students to remain patient until the Supreme Court hears the government's appeal against a High Court decision on August 7, which ordered the reinstatement of the 30% quota.

#Bangladesh
Subscribe: youtube.com/user/deutschewelleenglish?sub_confirma…

For more news go to: www.dw.com/en/
Follow DW on social media:
►Facebook: www.facebook.com/deutschewellenews/
►Twitter: twitter.com/dwnews
►Instagram: www.instagram.com/dwnews
►Twitch: www.twitch.tv/dwnews_hangout
Für Videos in deutscher Sprache besuchen Sie: youtube.com/dwdeutsch
All Comments (21)
  • @RostaMungdin
    I'm from Myanmar 🇲🇲 Save students 🇧🇩 Save Bangladesh 🇧🇩
  • @lightblueops8912
    I'm Bangladeshi 🇧🇩 I'm human 🇧🇩 I'm student 🇧🇩 I stand with the students 🇧🇩 I don't stand with the "Quota System"🇧🇩 Save Bangladesh 🇧🇩 Save the students 🇧🇩 Save our future 🇧🇩 Spread awareness 🇧🇩🇧🇩
  • @tarajingpot3362
    I'm from Philippines 🇵🇭 Save Students 🇧🇩 Save Bangladesh 🇧🇩
  • @maryturdieva230
    I’m from Kyrgyzstan 🇰🇬 Save Students of Bangladesh Save Bangladesh 🇧🇩
  • @salman0474
    I'm a Bangladesh's student The rulling government has turned down internet connection all over the country.. Over 21 students has killed. Please help us 😢
  • @sagardas9230
    I am from India i stand with Bangladeshi students brothers i support you
  • @boycheezy
    We Kenyans 🇰🇪 stand with Bangladeshi students 🇧🇩
  • @Alexander99763
    I'm from india🇮🇳 West bengal We are with our student brothers 🙏🏽🇧🇩
  • @moviecollection9540
    I'm from japan As a citizen of Bangladesh, I'm requesting to save the students of our country's goverment attacks ordinary students out of political vendetta.
  • @HazemSalama_0028
    Pray for Bangladesh 🇧🇩🤲🏻📿 From Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦
  • @jayedansari34
    praying from India 🇮🇳. stay strong students ✊🇧🇩
  • @MdhossenKhan.
    I m from Bangladesh Save students Save Bangladesh 😭😭😭
  • @istiaqfahimtonmoy6446
    I am a Bangladeshi student. We need international attention right now. We don’t want any quota in education sector. Our brothers are protesting for Their rights. We want freedom of study
  • @LieselMeminger.
    My husband is from Bangladesh.I am Turkish. I am supporting Bangladesh students from my heart.They have right to protest this silly system 🇧🇩🇹🇷
  • @fnkmeem2871
    In Germany, my family is in Bangladesh, Save Bangladesh