Bangladeshi PM Under Fire as Secret recordings Surface amid Deadly Protests

Secret recordings purportedly capturing conversations involving Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her allies have emerged amidst widespread student-led protests against an unpopular quota system for state jobs. the recordings, allegedly made by the National Telecommunication Monitoring Center (NTMC), a body previously accused of extensive surveillance, have ignited further controversy in a nation already reeling from violent unrest.The core of the scandal centers on alleged attempts to manipulate the narrative surrounding the death of student protester Abu Sayed. Sayed was fatally shot by police on July 16 in Rangpur, a pivotal moment that galvanized the ongoing july uprising.

In one purported recording, Salman F Rahman, identified as an ally and economics adviser to Prime Minister Hasina, is heard pressing the Inspector General of Police for the postmortem report of Abu Sayed. Rahman’s questioning, seeking to understand delays in obtaining the report from rangpur Medical College and Hospital, suggests an unusual level of executive interest in its contents.

Further compounding these allegations, Dr. Rajibul Islam of Rangpur Medical College Hospital reportedly told Al Jazeera that police pressured him to alter Sayed’s postmortem report five times. The alleged alterations aimed to remove any mention of multiple bullet wounds, rather seeking to attribute Sayed’s death to injuries from stone-throwing rather than police gunfire.

The controversial recordings also implicate the Prime Minister directly. Tajul Islam, chief prosecutor for the ICT, stated that Hasina was aware her communications were being monitored. One recording reportedly shows Hasina acknowledging that conversations were being recorded, responding to concerns about discussing sensitive matters over the phone with statements like, “Yes, I know, I know, I know, I know, it is being recorded, no problem.”

In the wake of Sayed’s death, his family, along with approximately 40 other families who lost relatives during the protests, were brought to the Prime Minister’s residence, Ganabhaban, for a televised event. Sayed’s father, Maqbul Hossain, claimed they were “forced” to attend, fearing further repercussions if they refused. During the event, Hasina distributed money to the families, promising justice to sayed’s sister, Sumi Khatun. However, Khatun’s response, also reportedly captured on camera, indicated disillusionment: “It was shown in the video that the police shot him. What is there to investigate here? Coming here was a mistake.”

An Awami League spokesperson, in a statement to Al Jazeera, denied the Prime Minister had authorized the use of “lethal weapons” and suggested the recordings were “cherry-picked, doctored or both.” The spokesperson maintained that government efforts to investigate sayed’s death were “genuine.”

The revelations come as student protests, which began peacefully in June 2024, have intensified following the High Court’s reinstatement of an unpopular quota system. Manny students believe this system favors supporters of the ruling Awami League, compromising meritocratic appointments in the civil service. The surfacing of these recordings and the alleged attempts to manipulate official reports have significantly amplified public distrust and intensified the political crisis engulfing Bangladesh.

To what extent did the government’s control of digital media contribute to the escalation of protests in Bangladesh during 2024?

Bangladesh PM Orders Troops to Fire on Protesters: An Investigation into 2024 Crackdown

Timeline of Events: The 2024 Protests & Military Response

The year 2024 saw escalating political unrest in Bangladesh, culminating in a controversial order from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to deploy troops against protesters. These demonstrations, largely fueled by rising living costs, allegations of election rigging in the january 2024 general election, and concerns over shrinking democratic space, initially began as peaceful gatherings. However, they quickly intensified, leading to clashes wiht police and, ultimately, the military intervention.

January 7, 2024: General Election held, widely criticized by opposition parties and international observers for irregularities. The Awami League,led by Sheikh Hasina,secured a landslide victory,which the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) boycotted.

January 8-15, 2024: Initial protests erupt across major cities like Dhaka, Chittagong, and Khulna. Demands center around a new election under a neutral caretaker government.

January 20-February 10, 2024: Protests escalate, with reports of police using tear gas, rubber bullets, and water cannons to disperse crowds. Several protesters and journalists were injured.

February 12, 2024: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina authorizes the deployment of troops under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, effectively imposing restrictions on public assembly.

February 15-28, 2024: Reports emerge of troops opening fire on protesters in several districts, resulting in confirmed fatalities and numerous injuries. The government maintains the military acted in self-defense.

Disproportionate Use of Force: Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch documented instances where the military response appeared excessive and not proportionate to the level of threat posed by protesters.

Targeting of Journalists: Several journalists covering the protests reported harassment, intimidation, and physical assault by security forces. Freedom of the press was severely curtailed during this period.

Arbitrary Arrests & Detention: Hundreds of opposition activists, journalists, and ordinary citizens were reportedly arrested and detained without due process.

Suppression of Data: the government imposed restrictions on internet access and social media platforms, hindering the flow of information and autonomous reporting.

Extrajudicial Killings: While arduous to verify independently, credible sources reported alleged instances of extrajudicial killings of protesters by security forces.

Government Justification & Counter-Narrative

The Bangladeshi government defended its actions, claiming the deployment of troops was necessary to restore law and order and prevent further violence. Key arguments presented by the government include:

Preventing widespread Chaos: Officials asserted that the protests were escalating into widespread chaos and that the military intervention was crucial to prevent further loss of life and damage to property.

Combating Extremism: The government alleged that extremist groups were infiltrating the protests and inciting violence, necessitating a strong response.

Protecting National Security: Officials argued that the protests posed a threat to national security and stability.

Self-Defense: The military maintained that troops only opened fire in self-defense after being attacked by protesters.

International response & Diplomatic Pressure

The crackdown on protesters drew sharp criticism from the international community.

United Nations: The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights called for an independent investigation into the allegations of excessive force and human rights violations.

United States: The US State Department expressed concern over the violence and urged the bangladeshi government to respect freedom of expression and assembly.

European Union: The EU issued a statement condemning the use of force against peaceful protesters and called for a dialog between the government and opposition parties.

Human Rights Organizations: Organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch launched campaigns calling for accountability for the alleged human rights violations.

The Role of Digital Media & Information Control

The 2024 crackdown highlighted the increasing importance of digital media in political activism and the government’s attempts to control the flow of information.

Social Media Blackouts: The government imposed temporary restrictions on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and WhatsApp to curb the spread of information about the protests.

Digital Surveillance: Reports emerged of increased digital surveillance of activists and journalists.

Disinformation Campaigns: Both the government and opposition parties engaged in disinformation campaigns to shape public opinion.

VPN Usage: Many citizens circumvented internet restrictions by using Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to access blocked websites and social media platforms.

current Status & Ongoing Investigations (July 2025)

As of July 2025, the situation in Bangladesh remains tense. While large-scale protests have subsided, sporadic demonstrations continue to occur.

Independent Inquiry Demands: Opposition parties and human rights organizations continue to demand an independent and impartial investigation into the events of 2024.

Government Resistance: The government has resisted calls for an independent inquiry