Bangla: INTERNET নিজে নিজে বন্ধ হয়ে গেছে”
English Pronunciation: INTERNET nije nije bondho hoye geche.”
Meaning: The internet shut down by itself
During the July Uprising in Bangladesh, authorities took drastic measures to quell the growing wave of protests—one of the most concerning tactics being the internet shutdown. The government's claim that the internet "shut down by itself" was widely criticized and mocked, especially after the statement made by the former Information Minister, Zunaid Ahmed Palak. His assertion that the internet disruption was merely a technical glitch stood in stark contrast to the reality on the ground, where millions of Bangladeshis found themselves cut off from the rest of the world.
The Government's Claim vs. The Reality
Palak’s comment, “The internet shut down by itself,” became infamous during the protests. It was an attempt to downplay the situation and mask the government's intentional actions to restrict access to information. In truth, the internet shutdown was deliberate—a classic move by authoritarian regimes to suppress dissent, control narratives, and prevent the protests from gaining global attention. For over 10 days, Bangladesh was effectively isolated from the world, as the government imposed a nationwide blackout, cutting off internet access and restricting the flow of information.
The Sarcastic Resistance: "The Internet Shut Down by Itself"
In response to the government's attempt to dismiss the internet shutdown as an accidental technical issue, protesters turned the phrase into an act of resistance. Graffiti and posters bearing the message "The internet shut down by itself" emerged across Dhaka, reflecting the public's awareness of the government's tactic and their refusal to be silenced. The sarcasm behind the statement emphasized the deliberate nature of the shutdown, mocking the official narrative.
The internet blackout served as more than just a tool for censorship—it became a symbol of the government’s fear of transparency and accountability. Protesters, activists, journalists, and citizens saw this action as an effort to control the narrative, block the spread of information, and prevent the global community from witnessing the intensity of the protests. The message on the posters, therefore, was not just a critique—it was a defiant response, a reclaiming of truth in the face of digital oppression.
How the Shutdown Affected the Protests
For over a week, citizens of Bangladesh were unable to connect to social media platforms, share updates, or access real-time news. The government's action, while aimed at suppressing dissent, only heightened the resolve of the people. As the internet was cut off, protests grew even more intense in their defiance of the government. All the television media was censored and no one could show what is happening in that time. Killings, abduction took place during the internet shutdown but no one could show it because of the internet shutdown.
What the authorities failed to recognize, however, was that the very shutdown that was meant to stifle the protests became a rallying cry for the resistance. It reminded the people of the power of digital platforms, the essential role they play in organizing, sharing information, and making their voices heard. Even without the internet, the protesters found ways to spread their message and unite—showing that the government’s control over information could not break the spirit of resistance.
Global Attention and Digital Oppression
The internet blackout not only impacted local communications but also drew international attention to the government’s actions. The use of digital tools for protest and the subsequent restrictions by the authorities highlighted a growing global issue: the rise of digital authoritarianism. Governments around the world are increasingly resorting to internet shutdowns to stifle protests and suppress political dissent, and Bangladesh’s July Uprising became yet another example of this disturbing trend.
Despite the government's best efforts to silence the voices of the people, the defiant response of the protesters, symbolized by phrases like "The internet shut down by itself," served as a powerful reminder of the importance of digital freedom. It also underscored the resilience of the people, who, even in the face of technological oppression, continued to demand justice, equality, and change.
Conclusion: The Resilience of the People
The internet shutdown during the July Uprising was not an accident; it was a calculated decision by the government to isolate the protests from the rest of the world. However, the statement “The internet shut down by itself” symbolized more than just irony—it represented defiance against the authoritarian tactics of censorship. The Bangladeshi people proved that even when cut off from digital communication, their voices could not be silenced. This moment in history will be remembered as one where the power of the people triumphed over attempts to control the narrative, and the internet shutdown only strengthened their resolve in the fight for democracy and freedom.
Comments