Bangladesh bans social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube on August 2, 2024, due to student riots. They hit the streets with a demand to put an end to the unfair system allotted to Government quota jobs. As a result of the protests, two people died, and over 100 civilians were injured.
According to the system, 30% of jobs are reserved for relatives of veterans who fought in the 1971 Independence War. Recently, the Supreme Court scaled back the quota for freedom fighters and descendants to 5%, but the students are still protesting. Many experts say their sudden backdrop has made them angry against the government and caused economic discontent.
The ban on popular social media sites comes shortly after Turkey’s similar action. The country also imposed a ban on Instagram earlier the same day. This is not new for Bangladesh to ban Meta-owned platforms.
Mohammad Rakib Uddin, one of the protestants, was wearing a college uniform when bullets pierced his hip. Thankfully, he is alive after his friends took him to the hospital.
Bangladesh’s government is now being criticized by the United Nations and the United States due to its cruel approach. On the other hand, the government says armed opposition supporters trigger the students to take on security officials and state-owned establishments.