An ongoing investigation has exposed the coordinated efforts behind the recent nationwide internet shutdown in Bangladesh, implicating key government bodies and officials.
The investigation, led by a newly formed committee under the interim government's Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Adviser, Nahid Islam, revealed that the internet shutdown was orchestrated by the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) and the National Telecommunication Monitoring Center (NTMC), with direct orders from the former State Minister for Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology, Junaid Ahmed Palak.
The shutdown, which began on July 18, disrupted all forms of internet access, including mobile and broadband services, and severely impacted daily life across the country.
The shutdown was initially justified by Palak as a response to a fire at a data center.
However, the investigation has since debunked this claim, revealing that the shutdown was a deliberate act to suppress the student-led quota reform movement that had gained momentum across the country.
Chronology of the shutdown
The shutdown began on July 15, when the BTRC's Engineering and Operations Department issued an order via WhatsApp to suspend mobile internet services in specific areas, including Shahbagh and the Raju Sculpture areas of Dhaka University.
This directive was soon extended to include major universities such as Jahangirnagar University, Chittagong University, Rajshahi University, and Shahjalal University of Science and Technology in Sylhet.
By July 16, the BTRC had expanded the shutdown to encompass 59 universities nationwide.
The decision, approved by the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology, was carried out without full consultation among all BTRC commissioners, raising concerns about the unilateral nature of the decision-making process.
On July 18, following orders from Palak, the BTRC instructed submarine cable companies and International Terrestrial Cable (ITC) providers to halt all internet bandwidth, effectively disconnecting the entire country from the internet by 9pm.
This decision was made in coordination with the NTMC, which had already begun issuing directives on July 17 to suspend various online platforms and mobile internet services.
Govt’s response
The shutdown, which lasted until early August, has faced widespread criticism, particularly in light of the number of student deaths during the protests.
The blackout, which included a 10-day mobile internet shutdown and a 13-day blackout on social media platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp, severely hampered communication and heightened public outrage.
The interim government, which took power amid significant political unrest, has since prioritized transparency in handling the situation.
ICT Adviser Nahid has made investigating the blackout a top priority, forming a seven-member committee on August 11 to probe the matter further.
The committee’s preliminary findings accused Palak of misleading the public and highlight the lack of proper consultation within the BTRC before implementing the shutdown.
The investigation has also led to the removal of Major General Ziaul Ahsan, the former director general of the NTMC, from his position on August 6.
The legal framework surrounding the shutdown is also under review.
According to Section 97 of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Act, 2001, the government has the authority to control telecommunication systems during periods of war or internal unrest.
However, the unilateral implementation of the shutdown without broad consultation has raised questions about the legality and ethics of the decision.
