Bangladesh student protests: Dhaka slams US over unsubstantiated claims about stir
File photo.
Bangladesh on Tuesday (Jul16) slammed the United States for making "unsubstantiated" claims about the ongoing student protests in the South Asian country. On Monday, US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller expressed concerns about the protests in Bangladesh.
"We are aware of and are monitoring reports of widespread student protests in Dhaka and around Bangladesh that have killed two and attacked and injured hundreds," Miller said.
He added thatfreedom of expression and peaceful assembly were essential building blocks of any thriving democracyand Washington condemned any violence against peaceful protesters.
Bangladesh responds to US
In a statement, Bangladesh's foreign ministry said, "Use of unverified information to make such baseless claims can fuel violence and undermine Bangladesh government’s efforts to maintain a peaceful environment to allow non-violent protests or movement."
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
National Handloom Day 2026: From Alia Bhatt to Samantha Ruth Prabhu; Actresses who celebrated India's textile heritage as brides
)
The Royals enter the Doctor Who universe: King Charles and Queen Camilla beam into Commonwealth Games in TARDIS
)
Unitree Robotics targets $9 billion valuation in landmark IPO backed by DeepSeek and Tencent
)
India names 27 sites in Arunachal Pradesh
)
Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata OTT: When will Kangana Ranaut's film stream online?
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
How many soldiers operate one S-400 battery?
)
Shakib Al Hasan ready to return to Bangladesh—under one condition
)
‘Fake news’: MEA rejects report claiming India sought defence pact with Israel after Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey deal
)
Rockstar to unveil GTA 6 extended look ahead of November launch
)
Russia forms Ukrainian Volunteer Spetsnaz Brigade to fight Ukraine
)
Drug-resistant fungus that hides in hair and enters bloodstream reported in 23 US states
)
Technology transfer deal boosts India's defence manufacturing ambitions
)
Border row erupts in Europe after Ceuta crossings, Spain imposes border controls on Italy
)
Morale plummets on USS Abraham Lincoln: Are US sailors reaching a breaking point? | GRAVITAS
)
'Security can't be bought with Pakistan, Turkey deal': Iran tells Saudi Arabia
)
Baba Vanga's 2026 prophecy: 2 predictions 'already came true', 3 terrifying ones remain. Details inside
)
Colombia’s new president Abelardo de la Espriella vows to ‘defeat narco-terrorists’, signals hardline shift
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New Friday OTT releases (August 7, 2026): Operation Safed Sagar, Vadhandhi, Main Vaapis Aaunga- 6 movies and TV shows on Netflix, Prime Video and more
)
Squadron Leader Bhawana Kanth scripts history as Indian Air Force gets its first woman ‘Top Gun’ pilot
)
RSS says Gen Z protests reflect genuine distress
)
Trump says Iranian school bombing photos could be AI-generated - 'I don’t think...'
)
IAF officer held for sharing sensitive information in 'honey trap' case, booked under Official Secrets Act
)
Stray Kids under scrutiny? Fans react to Grammy submission silence after BTS boycott
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the Su-30MKI doesn't need external fuel tanks to fly vast distances
)
Jugal Hansraj reunites with Shekhar Kapur after 40 years for Masoom: The Next Generation
)
New speed limits, automatic challans: Big traffic change coming to Delhi-Meerut Expressway. All you need to know
)
India officially names 27 places in Arunachal to counter China's renaming claims
)
Trump calls White House ballroom ruling a 'national disgrace' as court says Congress approval needed
)
US sanctions Iran’s crypto network after Strait of Hormuz attacks, offers $15m bounty for intel on IRGC finance
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the Su-30MKI is one of the heaviest fighters ever built
)
Uttarakhand young innovator builds India's own flying vehicle, conducts first test flight: WATCH
)
Chilling video shows students take cover as teen opens fire at Thai school
)
Reese Witherspoon's father hospitalised after poolside incident in Nashville: Report
"Freedom of expression and peaceful assembly are cornerstones of our democracy, and the government remains steadfast to uphold those rights of the citizens while also safeguarding the public property and order," the ministry added and pointed out that violence did not have any place in democracy and politics.
At least five killed amid violent stir
The Bangladeshi Police said on Tuesday that at leastfive people have been killed amid violent protests in the country. This comes as student protesters have beendemanding the removal of the quota system in government jobs. Violence erupted on Monday.
On Tuesday, armed cadres and activists of the ruling Awami League,along with its associated student wings, took to the streets nationwideto counter protesters.
Brandishing sticks, bats, helmets, and even handguns, the cadres labelled the protesters as traitors while confrontations occurred in multiple locations in Dhaka, a report by the news agency Reuters said.
Protests have intensified after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina refused to meet the students' demands, citing ongoing court proceedings.The protesters are angry over public sector job quotas, including a 30 per centquota for family members of freedom fighters from the 1971 War of Independence, amid high youth unemployment.
Bangladesh orders closure of schools
The education ministryordered every high school, Islamic seminary and vocational institute in the country to close indefinitely on Tuesday.
"All high schools, colleges, Islamic seminaries, and polytechnic institutes will be shut down until further order, considering the security of the students," education ministry spokesman MAKhair told the news agency AFP.
(With inputs from agencies)