The airwaves have been buzzing with visuals of U.S. students taking a stand against the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. In a striking display of solidarity, Columbia University became the epicenter of a student protest movement that rapidly spread to over 100 universities, including prestigious institutions like Yale, Harvard, and UCLA.
In Bangladesh, a nation grappling with internal strife, the embers of protest and violence may have momentarily cooled, yet the tensions smolder beneath the surface. As police continue to make arrests among student protesters and opposition members, the calls for change grow louder, and the risks taken by these young leaders are profound.
On Saturday, the streets of Daka were patrolled by soldiers as the Army imposed a curfew in Bangladesh. The government is attempting to quell student protests that have become increasingly violent and deadly over recent days. Since Thursday, the country has been cut off from the world, with internet and text messaging services shut down. But the demonstrations have continued, in spite of a ban on public gatherings. Hospital data reveals that the clashes have killed over 100 people and injured thousands. As the death toll climbs, the government has taken drastic measures.