Inside Story

What is driving public anger in Bangladesh?

The government in Dhaka says political rivals are stirring up trouble ahead of an election expected later this year.

The deaths of two teenagers hit by a speeding bus in Dhaka has sparked days of protests in Bangladesh.

Thousands of students have blocked roads and stopped traffic, demanding tougher penalties for those responsible for traffic accidents.

The demonstrations turned violent when police fired tear gas and used water cannon on the protesters.

Dozens of students were injured.

Journalists were also targeted, with prominent photojournalist Shahidul Alam detained and reportedly tortured. 

Human Rights Watch says groups linked to the ruling Awami League party attacked protesters with machetes and sticks, but the government denies its activists were involved.

And on Monday it promised to introduce the death sentence for deliberate road traffic deaths in an attempt to end the unrest.

But the government has accused the opposition of instigating the protests for political reasons.


Presenter: Mohammed Jamjoom

Guests:

Charu Lata Hogg – Associate fellow of Asia Pacific Programme at Chatham House

Omar Waraich – Deputy South Asia director at Amnesty International

David Bergman – Journalist formerly based in Bangladesh for 13 years