The Bangladesh government imposed a complete internet shutdown on Monday as protestors urged the public to join a "Long March to Dhaka," a day after violent clashes left nearly 100 people dead.
The protests demand Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation over a controversial job quota system.
The unrest erupted on Sunday when demonstrators, under the banner of Students Against Discrimination, clashed with supporters of the ruling Awami League, Chhatra League, and Jubo League. The violence resulted in 98 deaths, including 14 policemen, as reported by the Bengali-language newspaper Prothom Alo.
In response to the escalating violence, authorities enforced a nationwide curfew and cut off mobile internet services indefinitely.
The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement rescheduled their planned "Long March to Dhaka" to Monday, a day earlier than initially planned. Asif Mahmud, a coordinator of the movement, announced the decision in an urgent meeting on Sunday night, citing the need to address the growing unrest.
“In an urgent decision to review the situation, our 'March to Dhaka' program has been changed from August 6 to August 5. In other words, we are calling on students from all over the country to travel to Dhaka tomorrow (Monday),” Mahmud said in a press release.
“The final battle has come. It is time to make the final signature of this student citizen uprising. Come to Dhaka to be a part of history. Students will create a new Bangladesh,” he added, urging the general public to join the march.
Government measures
The Awami League’s planned mourning procession scheduled for Monday was cancelled due to the curfew. As of Monday morning, traffic in Dhaka was sparse, and students from various educational institutions began gathering at Dhaka Central Shaheed Minar, prompting police to disperse them with tear gas.
The government issued a total internet shutdown as the situation remained tense.
According to a government press release on Sunday, terrorist attacks were reported in various locations, prompting strict actions against the perpetrators.
A three-day general holiday was declared starting Monday to ensure public safety.
India issues travel advisory
In light of escalating violent protests in Bangladesh, the Indian government has issued a travel advisory urging its nationals to avoid travelling to the neighbouring country until further notice.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) released an official statement on Sunday, strongly advising Indian citizens residing in Bangladesh to exercise extreme caution and minimise their movements.
"Given the current developments, Indian nationals are strongly advised against travelling to Bangladesh until further notice," the MEA stated.
"All Indian nationals presently in Bangladesh are advised to exercise extreme caution, restrict their movements, and stay in contact with the High Commission of India in Dhaka through their emergency phone numbers: 8801958383679, 8801958383680, and 8801937400591," the MEA statement maintained.
International and domestic reactions
Meanwhile, the University Teachers’ Network proposed forming an interim government comprising representatives from various sectors. This proposal requires Hasina to transfer power to this interim body.
The teachers’ network outlined their proposal at a press conference titled ‘Proposal of an outline for transition to a democratic Bangladesh free of discrimination’ at the Sagar-Runi Auditorium of Dhaka Reporters’ Unity on Sunday.
Sunday’s clashes followed a series of violent confrontations over the past week, with more than 200 people killed.
These confrontations have centred around the controversial quota system that reserves 30 per cent of government jobs for relatives of veterans from the 1971 War of Independence.
Over 11,000 people have been arrested since the unrest began.
Officials claim Sunday’s protests were infiltrated by unidentified individuals and right-wing Islami Shashontantra Andolon activists, who erected barricades on major highways and within Dhaka.
In 39 districts, public representatives' homes, Awami League offices, police stations, and other government buildings were attacked, vandalised, and set on fire.
Government and international response
The government enforced a curfew in major cities and small towns across Bangladesh from 6 PM on Sunday, deploying troops, paramilitary border guards (BGB), and the elite Rapid Action Battalion alongside police forces.
Prime Minister Hasina had offered to sit for talks with the protest coordinators on Saturday, but the offer was rejected. Government leaders claim that fundamentalist Jamaat-e-Islami and its student front Islami Chhatra Shibir, backed by ex-premier Khaleda Zia’s BNP, hijacked the peaceful campaign.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk urged Bangladesh’s political leadership and security forces to respect the right to life and the freedoms of peaceful assembly and expression.
He pressed on the importance of accountability for human rights violations, including senior officers' responsibilities.
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