Bangladesh protests escalate as government faces deadly backlash

Bangladesh is currently under a nationwide curfew and Internet blackout following a weekend of violent clashes between security forces and protesters, resulting in nearly 300 deaths and over 1,000 injuries. The unrest, initially sparked by a controversial government jobs policy, has evolved into a widespread movement against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who has been accused of increasingly autocratic governance.

The protests began in mid-July, focusing on a workforce quota system that reserves certain job positions for veterans of the 1971 war for independence and their families. Demonstrators have called for Hasina's resignation, expressing that her violent response to the protests is tarnishing her legacy, which is closely tied to the nation's founding.

In response to the escalating protests, the government has implemented severe measures, including an Internet blackout and a curfew, with security forces reportedly authorized to use lethal force. Although the government has since reduced the quota, the protests have broadened to demand accountability for the deaths resulting from the crackdown, with the toll now exceeding 200 fatalities. The situation remains tense as calls for justice and political change continue to resonate across the country.