Bangladesh’s minister of state for information and broadcasting, Mohammad Arafat, has supported the government's handling of mass protests amidst international calls for an investigation into the crackdown on demonstrators. Arafat emphasized that the security forces aimed to restore peace during the student protests, attributing the violence to "third-party" actors such as extremists and terrorists rather than the students. The government's efforts to de-escalate tensions were highlighted, with Arafat condemning those attempting to exploit the situation to destabilize the regime. The protests initially centered on demands for reforms to Bangladesh's quota system for government jobs, resulting in a violent turn following clashes involving the Bangladesh Chhatra League. Subsequently, a curfew was imposed, universities were closed, and internet services were disrupted. The handling of the protests drew criticism and sparked international scrutiny, prompting calls for an impartial investigation into alleged human rights violations. United Nations Human Rights Chief, Volker Turk, urged for transparency in investigating the crackdown, emphasizing the need for accountability. Meanwhile, a group of UN experts echoed the call for a thorough, independent inquiry into the government's actions against protesters. Despite the government's denial of wrongdoing, the experts stressed the importance of an impartial investigation with international involvement. Arafat denied requests for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's resignation, citing her commitment to protecting the people. He also pledged an unbiased evaluation of the casualties, injuries, and deaths resulting from the unrest. As protesters halted their demonstrations temporarily, discussions continued regarding their demands, including public apologies for student deaths and calls for resignations within the government.