Amid escalating unrest in Bangladesh, a hacker group known as “THE R3SISTANC3” has targeted the official websites of the Prime Minister’s Office, Central Bank, and police. The hacked sites displayed an identical message, “Operation HuntDown, Stop Killing Students,” emphasising, “It’s not a protest anymore, it’s a war now.”
The message condemned the violent response to peaceful student protests, accusing the government and its political cronies of orchestrating brutal violence and murder.
The group called for hackers, OSINT investigators, and journalists to join their cause, asserting that the time for passive observation is over. They urged for skills, information, and courage to take decisive action, declaring that the fight for justice has begun.
The unrest in Bangladesh stems from long-standing demands by students to overhaul the quota system in government jobs. This system originally reserved 30 percent of government jobs for descendants of veterans who fought in the 1971 war of independence.
Critics argued that the quota system disproportionately favoured allies of the ruling Awami League party, which spearheaded the liberation movement against Pakistan. Over 100 people have died in protests related to the contentious civil service hiring rules.
Following weeks of demonstrations, the Bangladesh Supreme Court recently ruled to reduce the quota for relatives of war veterans from 30 percent to 5 percent. The remaining 95 percent of government jobs will now be allocated based on merit, with a small portion reserved for ethnic minorities, transgender individuals, and the disabled.
This verdict comes after previous attempts by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government to abolish the quota system in 2018, which were reinstated by the High Court last month, reigniting public outrage and protests.
The protests have seen violent clashes between demonstrators and groups allegedly linked to the Awami League. Accusations of excessive force by police, including the use of tear gas, rubber bullets, and smoke grenades, have exacerbated public anger. Prime Minister Hasina has defended the quota system, emphasising the contributions of veterans to the nation’s independence, regardless of political affiliations. However, her government's portrayal of protesters as unpatriotic has only fueled further anger.
The government’s response to the protests has included stringent measures such as curfews, deployment of military forces, and a communication blackout, effectively isolating Bangladesh from the outside world. The decision to cut phone and internet connections has contributed to an “information blackout,” intensifying calls for broader political reforms and demands for the government’s resignation.
Protesters argue that their demonstrations are about more than just job quotas. They highlight the loss of lives, destruction of property, and suppression of information as central issues.
Political analysts suggest that the protests represent a pivotal moment for Bangladesh, posing a significant challenge to the government’s legitimacy. Despite the turmoil, opinions differ on the potential outcomes. Some predict political survival for Hasina’s administration, while others speculate on the protesters' ability to sustain pressure for systemic change.
The court’s decision to reduce the quota system has been met with cautious optimism by some protesters, but the broader implications remain uncertain amid ongoing restrictions and tensions. In response to the escalating crisis, Hasina’s government has declared public holidays and restricted non-essential services to manage the situation.
As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how the government will address the growing demands for justice and political reform. The hacking of key government websites underscores the severity of the unrest and the lengths to which groups will go to draw attention to their cause. The coming days will be crucial in determining the direction of the protests and the government’s response to the calls for change.
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