Key Takeaways
- The Bangladeshi government has reinstated the quota system for public positions, sparking widespread protests.
- The protests have resulted in 19 deaths and over 2,500 injuries at Dhaka University.
- The Supreme Court will decide on August 7 whether to uphold or overturn the High Court’s decision on the quota system.
Dhaka: Bangladesh is currently experiencing a near-total national internet shutdown, internet performance monitoring organisation NetBlocks said on Thursday.
“Live network data show Bangladesh is now in the midst of a near-total national internet shutdown,” the watchdog said on Telegram.
The internet blackout occurs in the wake of earlier attempts to limit access to social media and mobile data services, according to its statement.
Protests against the quota system have escalated this week following violent clashes at Dhaka University. 19 people have died and over 2,500 have been injured, according to reports.
Protesters are urging an end to the quota system, which reserves 30% of government roles for veterans’ families from the 1971 war for independence. They allege discrimination and favoritism toward supporters of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, whose party, the Awami League, led the independence movement.
After protests in 2018, the government stopped quotas but reinstated them in June due to High Court orders after appeals from veteran families. The Bangladeshi Supreme Court will decide on August 7 after the government appealed the High Court’s decision.
