July 36: The chronicle of an unprecedented mass uprising

On August 5, 2024, through an unprecedented mass movement, the long-standing fascist autocratic regime of Hasina came to an end. The students and the public referred to this movement as the “July Movement”. This was because the movement intensified throughout the month of July. Even after the end of July, the protesters continued to count days as July 32, July 33, July 34, July 35. This was because August is the month of mourning for the Awami League. The protesters wanted instead to keep alive the memory of the martyrs of July. Every day, countless people across various regions of Bangladesh were being killed by law enforcement agencies. The government's repression eventually reached an extreme level. In an attempt to suppress the movement, the government initiated a horrific massacre. The Awami League government killed nearly 1,500 people. The sight of such a procession of death transformed the student protests into a mass uprising. Sheikh Hasina, who had been in power for over 15 years, fled to India on the afternoon of August 5. At last, that much-desired victory was achieved at the cost of countless lives.

Today marks one year since that mass uprising. Let us recall those tumultuous days:

Backdrop
The underlying cause of the July mass uprising was the movement for quota reform in government jobs, which began in 2018. At the time, 56% of government job posts were reserved. Of this, 30% was for the children and grandchildren of freedom fighters, 10% for women, 10% for people from underprivileged districts, 5% for ethnic minorities, and 1% for the physically disabled.

Demanding the reduction of quota-based positions, merit-based recruitment in vacant posts, and a uniform age limit for all in government jobs, students from various universities took to the streets. Ignoring the protests of students and job aspirants, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced on 21 March that the quota system would remain in place. As part of the protests, thousands of university students across the country boycotted classes, held rallies, and began to block highways. On 11 April 2018, Sheikh Hasina announced the complete abolition of the quota system.

Four years passed. For the third time, the Awami League came to power through an illegal election. Due to enforced disappearances, killings, partisanship, extortion, the killing of democracy, and other reasons, there was simmering resentment among the people towards the Awami League government.

On June 5, 2024, the quota reform movement re-emerged. In response to an appeal from the families of freedom fighters, the High Court declared illegal the circular cancelling the freedom fighter quota in direct recruitment (grades 9 to 13) to government offices, autonomous and semi-autonomous institutions, and various corporations. In reaction, students from six universities began protesting.

Students of Dhaka University, Jahangirnagar University, Rajshahi University, Jagannath University, and Chittagong University staged peaceful protests against the quota system. Protesters alleged that the government was implementing a blueprint to reinstate the quota system by unlawfully interfering in the judiciary.
June 17, 2024 was Eid-ul-Adha. With the Eid holidays, students returned home, and the movement quietened. It began gaining momentum again from the start of July.

Early phase of the movement: July 1 to July 6
After the Eid holidays, students returned to their beloved educational institutions. The Dhaka University campus became lively once again with students’ footsteps. At this time, the quota reform activists began regrouping. They organised small rallies and processions. Along with Dhaka University, several other public universities joined. Protesters set July 4 as the deadline for meeting their demands.

The sky had already begun darkening with monsoon clouds. There were occasional rain showers. Amidst this, on July 2, Dhaka University students blocked Shahbagh intersection for about an hour. Reports from Dhaka said that on the same day, students from Jahangirnagar University also brought out protest marches. In front of the Jahangirnagar University campus, students blocked the Dhaka-Aricha highway for at least 20 minutes.

Shahbagh is one of the busiest intersections in the capital, Dhaka. On July 3, Dhaka University students blocked Shahbagh intersection for about an hour and a half. Long traffic jams spread in all directions. Many ordinary people still did not know why the blockade had taken place! Protests continued at several other public universities as well.
On July 4, it was very hot. It had rained in some places. The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court temporarily upheld the High Court’s verdict declaring void the decision to abolish the freedom fighter quota in first and second class government jobs. A six-member appellate bench led by Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan gave this order. During the hearing, the Appellate Division told the state party: for now, let the High Court’s verdict stand as it is. Once the verdict is published, you may file a regular appeal. We will hear it.

Rejecting this decision of the Appellate Division, the protesting students blocked Shahbagh intersection in the capital for the third consecutive day. While at Shahbagh, Nahid Islam, one of the coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, said, “We are not here for just one hour. We are here to realise our demands. We will go home only after our demands are met. The students have awakened. A relentless movement will be built to compel acceptance of our demands.”

As a result, the movement began intensifying from the very next day and rapidly spread across the country. On July 5, under the banner of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, students staged sit-ins, protests, rallies, and road blockades. At the same time, they called for a boycott of classes and exams starting from July 7. From various universities across the country, to intensify the campaign, students under the banner of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement held sit-ins, protest rallies, and road blockade programmes and ended the day’s programmes by announcing the boycott of classes and exams from Sunday, July 7. Alongside this, they announced protest programmes for July 6 (Saturday).

On July 6, students from Chittagong University, Khulna University, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University in Dinajpur, Jessore University of Science and Technology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University in Gopalganj, and Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University in Tangail held sit-ins, protest rallies, and road blockades.

On the same day, from the blockade programme at Shahbagh, protesters announced the much-discussed nationwide ‘Bangla Blockade’ programme. Chief coordinator Nahid Islam, a student of Dhaka University, announced the next programme: “From 3pm tomorrow, the ‘Bangla Blockade’ programme is declared. Tomorrow, every intersection and every signal point across the country will be blocked.”

Bangla blockade
People heard this new mixed‐language term — Bangla Blockade — for the first time. The word surprised them. On the first day of Bangla Blockade, the entire city of Dhaka came to a standstill. On July 7, students from Dhaka University blocked Shahbagh intersection, those from Dhaka College blocked Science Lab intersection, Eden College students blocked Nilkhet intersection, Jahangirnagar University students blocked the Dhaka–Aricha highway, and students from Comilla University blocked the Dhaka–Chattogram highway. Amid dreadful traffic jams, passengers had to sit in vehicles for hours. Those unaware of the movement before were forced to understand it that day. Aligning with the central plan, colleges and universities across the country declared class and exam boycotts.
Calling this protest “irrational”, Sheikh Hasina commented that the matter should be resolved by the Supreme Court.

On July 8, for the second day, quota reform activists held Bangla Blockade. Students carried out blockades at 11 locations in Dhaka, protests at nine universities, and blocked highways and railways at six and three spots respectively. Protests were also held at nine universities outside the capital. Railway routes were blocked in Chittagong, Rajshahi and Mymensingh; while highways were blocked in Savar, Gopalganj, Barishal, Kushtia, Rangpur and Comilla.

At around 8:30pm, during the closing remarks at Shahbagh, Nahid Islam said: “We have been protesting since June 5. We submitted memoranda, used every possible channel to make our demands. We did not suddenly take to the streets. We are doing blockade for half a day; but we will not limit ourselves to that.”

On July 9, the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement announced a nationwide Bangla Blockade from morning till evening. At around 6pm, its leaders declared at a press conference that from 10 am on July 10, students across the country would block roads, highways and railways in observance of Bangla Blockade. Travel from various regions to Dhaka stopped. Those who had come to Dhaka on urgent business began leaving in panic. Public suffering reached its peak. In the conference, Nahid Islam stated: “Our protest is causing hardship to ordinary people. We do not desire this hardship either. The government must take responsibility for it. On this issue, we believe the executive has no authority to interfere in quota matters.”

Appellate Division’s injunction and continued movement
On July 10, the Appellate Division issued a stay order on the quota system for four weeks. The student protesters rejected this order and announced continuation of their campaign, demanding quota reform for all grades of government jobs. In a written message, coordinator Abdul Hannan Masud said: “We do not accept any suspended decision. Our single demand: parliament should pass a law so that the only quota remains the minimum (maximum 5 percent) quota for the underprivileged, abolishing all discriminatory quotas.”

On that day, the third day of Bangla Blockade took place nationwide. The movement gained intensity among students across the country. The entire nation was virtually paralysed. Rail transport also came to a halt.

July 11–13: Movement continues
While nothing extraordinary occurred on July 11, the momentum remained. Roads remained shut. Office-workers in Dhaka walked or took rickshaws to work. At that point, it was unclear where the movement was heading. In a press conference that day, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader said the quota activists were using their organised strength against the Supreme Court, which was “irrational and illegal.” The home minister stated the protesters were “going beyond limits.”

On July 12 around 5pm, students gathered and blocked Shahbagh. Meanwhile, when students at Comilla Victoria College protested, Bangladesh Chhatra League activists attacked them. They took a student filming the protest into a hall and beat him.

On July 13, despite being a weekend, students at universities and colleges across the country held protest marches. After rallying on Dhaka University campus, they blocked Shahbagh intersection. Students from Rajshahi University blocked a railway line for their protest. Later, at a press conference in Dhaka, they claimed lawsuits were being used to stifle the movement and declared that the next day they would present a memorandum to the President demanding quota reform for all grades of government jobs.

Memorandum to the President
On July 14, students held sit-ins, blockades and processions in the capital, then submitted their demands in a memorandum to President Mohammad Sahabuddin through his military secretary. A team of twelve representatives delivered the memorandum at Bangabhaban. Returning from Bangabhaban, at about 3pm the movement’s coordinator Nahid Islam addressed the assembled students.

"Who are you? Who am I? — Rajakar, Rajakar"
On the evening of July 14, in a press briefing at Ganobhaban, then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina made a controversial remark, calling the protesting students “sons of Rajakars”, which further inflamed the movement. In response, students protested late at night in the Dhaka University campus area. Campus protests began at midnight. Students from Dhaka University and surrounding institutions joined in chanting slogans targeting the Prime Minister’s comment: “Who are you, who am I — Rajakar, Rajakar.”

Attacks by Chhatra League
On July 15, at a press briefing at the Awami League chair’s political office, Obaidul Quader told the media that the party’s student wing, Bangladesh Chhatra League, would give the students an “appropriate reply”. Following his directive, student wing activists attacked the protesting students in Dhaka University, injuring at least 300 protesters.
Wearing helmets, Chhatra League activists entered Dhaka Medical College Hospital at about 7:30pm with rods and machetes, attacking injured protesters inside and outside. They vandalised several ambulances parked in the hospital. After hours of conflict, the protesters took control of three dormitories at Dhaka University: Dr Muhammad Shahidullah Hall, Fazlul Haq Muslim Hall and Amar Ekushey Hall.

Elsewhere, on Rajshahi University campus Chhatra League members injured six students in an attack. In Comilla University, coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement were summoned under pretext of exams and then assaulted and humiliated. On 16 July at 3 pm, protesters issued a call for mass protests and rallies across educational institutions nationwide.

Abu Sayeed
On July 16, students across the country staged extensive protests. Supporters of the ruling party, including Chhatra League and Jubo League, as well as law enforcement, attacked protestors. In Dhaka, Chattogram and Rangpur, fierce clashes between authorities and protestors resulted in at least six deaths. Among the deceased was Abu Sayeed (22), a student of the 12th batch in the English Department at Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur. A video of him standing before police, arms outstretched, then being shot, rapidly circulated on social media. That night, footage and images of his death spurred students to drive Chhatra League from Dhaka and Rajshahi universities. Protestors took control of many halls at Dhaka and Rajshahi University and damaged Chhatra League offices. The Sheikh Hasina government responded by shutting down educational institutions nationwide. The next day, students announced a new campaign of funeral prayers (ghayebana janaza) and coffin processions.

Declaration of ‘politically neutral’ campuses
On the morning of July 17, protestors expelled Chhatra League members from Dhaka University and other campuses and declared the campuses politically neutral. Clashes and assaults occurred in at least eight districts. Protesters blockaded roads and railways at ten locations. Over 50 people were reported injured. To honour those killed, the students held ghayebana janaza and coffin marches at the Raju Sculpture area in Dhaka University.

At around 7:30pm, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina addressed the nation and announced that she would initiate a judicial investigation into the violence and bring perpetrators to justice. On quota reform, she urged students to await the Supreme Court verdict, assuring them the decision would not disappoint them.

Complete shutdown
On July 18, under the ‘Complete Shutdown’ programme, Dhaka and 47 other districts witnessed widespread violence. Thousands of students took to the streets to stop transport entirely. Law enforcement and unknown assailants opened fire using live bullets, shotgun rounds and rubber bullets, resulting in at least 29 confirmed deaths. Chhatra League and police personnel attacked students from BRAC University and other institutions. Protestors vandalised BTV Bhaban, Setu Bhaban, and other government buildings. Internet services were suspended nationwide, and metro rail services were halted for an indefinite period. Violence occurred in 47 districts. At least 1,500 people were injured. In some cases, protestors clashed with security forces; elsewhere with ruling party activists. Border Guard Bangladesh personnel were deployed nationwide.

Awami League proposed reducing the quota in government jobs from 56 percent to 20 percent. The law minister said the government was ready to negotiate with the protesters. Internet access was cut from9 pm.

Nationwide curfew enforced
From July 19, the Sheikh Hasina administration imposed a nationwide curfew overnight. The military deployed to key points in Dhaka. At least 26 people were killed on the first day of curfew. The government announced the curfew would remain until further notice and declared general holidays on July 21 and 22. Clashes continued outside Dhaka. Metro stations at Kazipara and Mirpur‑10 were vandalised. On the same day, in Narsingdi, protestors vandalised government offices including BRTA and a metro station and freed nearly 900 inmates from the central jail, seizing over 80 firearms and more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition. To prevent protests, Dhaka Metropolitan Police suspended all gatherings and processions indefinitely.

Deaths rise sharply
On July 20, at least 44 people were killed in Dhaka alone from shootings and clashes. Outside the capital, another 59 lost their lives. Hundreds were injured, including students, political activists, police, journalists and passers‑by. Initially only students had joined the protests, but on Friday local residents also took part.

High Court verdict on quota reform
On July 21, the Supreme Court handed down its verdict in the quota case: the majority of quotas in civil service jobs were abolished, leaving recruitment 93 percent open on merit to general applicants. From the quota, 5 percent was reserved for children of freedom fighters, 1 percent for religious minorities, and 1 percent for the physically disabled and transgender individuals.

Later that day at around 4:30pm, 56 coordinators issued a joint statement urging an intensification of the ‘Complete Shutdown’. They claimed over 300 people had died, and that the government could not evade the killings simply by pointing to the court verdict. They alleged police had abducted some key organisers and forced statements. After concern was raised by the UN, EU and UK, the chiefs of the three armed forces met with Hasina. The curfew continued, and seven more deaths occurred.

Number of martyrs grows
On 22 July, reports emerged that at least six protestors wounded earlier had died, pushing the total to 187. Among the martyrs were Mir Mugdho, Tahir Jaman Priyo, Ashabul Yamin and Hasan Mehedi. Their brutal deaths – such as Yamin’s body being thrown off a police APC, or Mir Mugdho crying “Water… water!” – shocked the nation and stirred widespread public outrage. The growing toll propelled ordinary citizens onto the streets.

Three coordinators missing
Since July 19, three coordinators of the Anti‑Discrimination Student Movement had been missing. After five days they were found: Asif Mahmud, Abu Bakar Majumdar and Rifat Rashid, who had been abducted on July 19. Asif and Bakar both posted on Facebook that they had been blindfolded for five days. Asif was released at Hatirjheel and Bakar at Dhanmondi.

Hasina inspects metro rail damage
On 19 July, protestors burned down a metro station near Mirpur Kazipara. On July 25, Sheikh Hasina visited the ruins of the metro rail station. She reportedly burst into tears seeing the destruction, fuelling anger: “Why mourn metro rail while killing people?” The UN, Amnesty International, the US and Canada called for an end to the crackdown. This was Hasina’s first public appearance since the military deployment. While under treatment, three more people died, bringing the death toll to 204. On Friday and Saturday, the curfew was relaxed for nine hours. Amnesty said police used lethal force against protestors.

“Block raid”
On July 26, a nationwide “block raid” was launched. 555 cases were filed and 6,264 people arrested. The second day after the declaration of curfew, Hasina visited Dhaka Medical College Hospital. The UN demanded cessation of the crackdown and full restoration of internet service. Detectives from the police’s intelligence branch arrested three movement coordinators: Nahid Islam, Asif Mahmud and Abu Bakar Majumdar. On July 27, raids targeting protestors continued; most were students. DMP’s intelligence branch captured two more coordinators: Sarjis Alam and Hasnat Abdullah, stating they were taken into custody for their protection and to extract details of recent events.

In the last 11 days, 9,121 people were arrested nationwide. In Dhaka alone, 2,536 were arrested. Fourteen Western countries’ missions in Dhaka issued a joint letter demanding law enforcement accountability. Two more student movement organisers were detained by intelligence. The arrest campaign continued.

Statements from coordinators at DB office
Nusrat Tabassum, another coordinator, was detained by the DB. At around 9pm, a video was circulated from DB offices in which six previously detained coordinators read a statement announcing the withdrawal of all protest programmes. However, three coordinators – Mahin Shakar, Abdul Qader and Abdul Hannan Masud – said that the video did not reflect the true position of the protestors. They claimed they were held hostage at the DB office and forced to read the statement at gunpoint. They affirmed that a DB office is never the place for a student press conference.

Meanwhile, the crackdown continued: over 213,000 people were accused in more than 200 cases in Dhaka alone. Mobile internet was restored, but social media remained blocked. The government, for the first time, announced the death toll as 147.

Jamat‑Shibir banned
On July 29, the government announced a ban on Jamaat‑e‑Islami and its student wing, Islami Chhatra Shibir. The High Court criticised the DB over its presentation of six quota organisers sharing meals with them on social media. On August 1, the government banned Jamaat‑e‑Islami, Islami Chhatra Shibir, and related organisations under the anti‑terrorism law. The UN proposed sending an independent fact‑finding mission. Six coordinators were released from police custody. Protestors held public marches and prayers for the martyrs. Teachers and students at five public universities held protest gatherings.

Procession of rebellion
On August 2, by midday crowds began gathering en masse in front of the press club. At first there was no obvious organiser; eventually the presence turned into a unified mass action. Former professor of economics at Jahangirnagar University, Anu Muhammad, presided over proceedings and demanded the immediate resignation of the Awami League government. Around 3pm, Anu Muhammad concluded his speech and announced the start of the “Procession of Rebellion” (Drohyatra). From there the march passed Kadam Fountain, High Court intersection, Doyel Chattar and the TSC, ending at the central Shaheed Minar. At the Minar, students and people paid floral tribute. At exactly that time, slogans rang out for the government’s resignation and for justice for the killings: chants like “I will not let my brother’s blood go in vain,” “My brother is in the grave, why is the killer free?”, “Down with dictatorship, democracy must prevail,” “Fire the killers, rise together.” People from universities, colleges, cultural and civil society, artists, lawyers, development activists and human rights defenders participated. Representatives from civic groups and various political and social organisations also joined.

One-point demand
Thousands gathered at the central Shaheed Minar. At 5:30pm, core coordinator Nahid Islam addressed the crowd and declared that the Anti‑Discrimination Student Movement had a single demand: the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Cabinet, and the formation of a national government under an acceptable leader. He said there was no plan to negotiate with the government and announced the “Long March to Dhaka” campaign. Though Hasina offered talks, the students rejected them.
In the evening, thousands of students and members of the public marched with their single demand: resignation of the prime minister. Previously, on July 31, Professor Salimullah Khan had called for her resignation, giving protesters courage.

July 35
On August 4, clashes in Dhaka and at least 21 districts led to nearly 91 deaths including 14 police officers; media reported at least 90 fatalities. Among the dead were 13 police officers in Sirajganj, killed in mob violence. Protests escalated when activists blocked major highways. Protesters targeted police stations and Awami League offices. Tear gas and rubber bullets were used; some people were hit by real bullets. In response, the government shut down the internet again and declared a nationwide indefinite curfew from 6pm.

Hasina criticised the protesting students, calling those involved in “sabotage” and destruction “terrorists,” while protestors demanded her resignation. Students declared a plan for marches from all regions to Dhaka. Army and police urged people not to break curfew or violate law. Former Army chief General Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan called for the withdrawal of the army and condemned the killings. Current Chief of Army Staff Waker‑uz‑Zaman said the armed forces always stand with the people.

July 36 – Day of victory
Defying the curfew, thousands from across the country gathered in the capital. Responding to the “March to Dhaka” call, thousands of students and citizens began the journey toward Dhaka. Faced with protestors, the military lowered their weapons. On the verge of Hasina’s fall, Awami League supporters attacked in various places, showing aggression. By midday the crowd surrounded Hasina’s official residence. In the afternoon, Hasina handed her resignation letter to President Mohammad Sahabuddin. She then fled to India by military aircraft with her sister, Sheikh Rehana.

All over Dhaka and across the country victorious students and citizens took to the streets. That day, millions in Dhaka celebrated victory. Just one month earlier, no one could have imagined that a small quota reform movement would ignite such a massive mass uprising and topple a long-standing fascist power.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS)