Bangladesh Restores Internet After Student Protests Over Job Quotas

Bangladesh has restored internet services as the country stabilizes following student protests against job quota reforms. These demonstrations, which began last month in universities and colleges, escalated into nationwide unrest, injuring thousands. The government's crackdown included curfews, army patrols, and internet suspensions to control the violence.

"The broadband and mobile internet connectivity has been restored with full functionality by now," the foreign ministry stated on Sunday, July 28. Throughout the unrest, other forms of communication, like landlines and mobile calls, remained operational.

The government assured international partners that the situation is returning to normal due to timely and appropriate measures taken by authorities and citizens.

The United Nations, international rights groups, the US, and Britain criticized the force used against protesters, urging Bangladesh to respect the right to peaceful protest. Critics accuse Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of becoming more autocratic during her 15-year rule, with allegations of mass arrests, forced disappearances, and extrajudicial killings, which she denies.

Protests erupted in June after a high court reinstated job quotas, including reservations for veterans' families from the 1971 independence war. Police used rubber bullets, tear gas, and sound grenades to disperse tens of thousands of demonstrators. 

Students paused their protests after the Supreme Court abolished most quotas on July 21, opening 93% of jobs to merit-based candidates. The government claimed the "mostly peaceful and issue-specific students' movement" was non-violent, blaming opposition parties BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, who denied involvement.

Student co-ordinator Nahid Islam announced in a video message from police headquarters that their main demand had been met and called for educational institutions to reopen. Nahid, detained by police while in the hospital, was reportedly held to ensure the security of protesters.