Bangladesh Restores Internet with 5GB Free Amid Ongoing Student Protests for Quota Reforms

Jul 29, 2024, 12:00 AM

Bangladesh has been experiencing significant unrest due to student-led protests demanding quota reforms in government jobs. The protests, which have been marked by violence and a severe government crackdown, led to a near-total communications blackout that lasted for ten days. The blackout was partially lifted last week, allowing the emergence of a digital yearbook commemorating the deceased protesters. The government restored internet access on Sunday, with Minister of State for Information and Communication Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak announcing 5GB of free internet. Despite the restoration, students have vowed to continue their protests if their leaders, including Rifat Rashed, Abdul Hannan Masud, and Mahin Sarker, are not released. The protests highlight the broader issues of corruption, cronyism, and inequality in Bangladesh, which have been exacerbated under an increasingly authoritarian regime. The demand for VPNs surged by 5016% during the internet shutdown, reflecting the public's need to circumvent the blackout. Protests have also spread internationally, with gatherings in places like Tempe, Arizona, in response to the alleged killings of protesting students.