Bangladesh Protests Escalate: Students Demand PM Hasina's Resignation Amid Deadly Clashes

Students in Bangladesh plan a march to Dhaka, defying a nationwide curfew, after deadly clashes left nearly 100 dead. Protests began last month demanding an end to a quota system in government jobs but have evolved into calls for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's resignation. The country remains under a curfew with key services shut down.

Protests in Bangladesh have intensified as students prepare to march to the capital, Dhaka, on Monday despite a nationwide curfew. They are pressing for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's resignation following deadly clashes that killed nearly 100 people.

The unrest began last month with student groups demanding the removal of a controversial quota system in government jobs. It has since evolved into a broader campaign against Hasina, who secured her fourth consecutive term in an election boycotted by the opposition. On Sunday, the death toll reached 91, marking the deadliest day of protests since July 19. The government has responded by imposing a nationwide curfew, halting railway services, and closing down the country's massive garment industry.

The Bangladesh army has called for cooperation with the curfew and emphasized the importance of maintaining safety and security. However, violence has spread to 39 of the country’s 64 districts, involving attacks on government buildings and properties. Critics accuse Hasina's government of using excessive force, a charge it denies. High-speed internet has been shut down again amid calls for the army to take a backseat and for political solutions to the crisis.