Reza Mahmud :
The people of Bangladesh witnessed the unexpected beginning of the downfall of the autocratic Awami League (AL) regime on the very first day of July last year, as student protests erupted and transformed the ‘quota reform movement’ into a broader ‘anti-discrimination student movement.’
What began as a call for quota reform gained unstoppable momentum from July 1, eventually evolving into the historic ‘July Uprising’-a mass movement of students and ordinary citizens that brought an end to nearly 16 years of AL’s authoritarian rule.”
The new chapter of Bangladesh’s history was written by the student and masses July uprising which started this month in the previous year.
The Students-People’s Uprising, also known as the July Revolution, was a pro-democracy mass movement in Bangladesh from June 5 to August 5, 2024, that ended 16 years of authoritarian rule with the sacrifice of thousands.
The uprising began over a controversial job quota system and escalated following the government’s violent crackdown. The revolution culminated on August 5, 2024, when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned after ruling for over 15 years and fled to India, following mass killings.
Army Chief General Waker-uz-Zaman declared an interim government and promised accountability. Three days later, Nobel Laureate Prof. Muhammad Yunus was appointed as Chief Adviser of the interim government.
“The youths of Bangladesh has written a new chapter with their brave and blood for building discrimination and oppression free country in this July last year,” said Professor Dr. SM Ali Reza of Dhaka University while talking with The New Nation on Monday.
The Professor said, ” The aim of the sacrifice of the youths was for liberty of the poeple of the country.”
“After nearly one year of the revolution, we have found several sad things which harm the spirit of the July uprising. In different cases, some of the spirit of the July revolution was stained, paled as the major political parties found in divisions among theme for narrow partisan issues and interests,” he said.
Such divisions have to be erased for the sake of the goodwill for the nation, the Professor recommended.
As per the timeline of the July uprising the nation witnessed the gradual development which finally ousted the fascist Hasina rule from Bangladesh.
In June 5: The High Court invalidated the 2018 government circular preserving 56% of government jobs for quota holders. Students began nationwide protests, demanding executive abolition of the quota system instead of awaiting appeals.
June 6 : Protests spread to six major universities. A pause followed due to Eid-ul-Adha.
In July 1-3: Protests resumed. Students set a July 4 deadline for executive action, blocking key roads in Dhaka and elsewhere.
July 4-6: After the Appellate Division upheld the HC verdict, the movement intensified. Students formed the ‘Anti-Discrimination Student Movement’ and launched the “Bangla Blockade,” paralyzing traffic and highways.
July 7-14: Govt leaders accused protesters of disrespecting the court. Attacks by Chhatra League (BCL) began. Hasina’s remark calling protesters “children of Razakars” escalated anger. Authorities cut mobile internet; BCL attacked students in Dhaka and Chittagong.
July 15-17: BCL assaulted students at DU and hospitals. DU dormitories were taken over by protesters. Clashes left many injured. Hasina offered a judicial probe and asked students to await the court verdict. Students called for a transport shutdown.
July 18-19: The shutdown saw massive violence. BTV and other govt offices were torched. Metro rail services were halted; internet was shut down. At least 103 were killed in clashes. A nationwide curfew was imposed, and the army was deployed.
July 20-24: Curfew continued. Hasina approved quota reforms via gazette based on the court order. Broadband returned; social media remained blocked. Coordinators were released blindfolded after five days.
July 25-27: Arrests and raids intensified. UN, US, Amnesty condemned violence. Police held more protest leaders, and a crackdown widened. Over 9,000 arrested in 11 days. Hasina appeared publicly again.
Facebook was blocked and reopened intermittently.July 28-29: Police released a video of six detained leaders withdrawing protest, which was denounced by others as forced. Over 200 cases filed in Dhaka alone. Students and teachers held large rallies rejecting the govt-declared mourning day.
July 30-31: “March for Justice” protests erupted nationwide. Clashes and arrests occurred in multiple cities. Teachers and guardians joined protests. Protesters outlined nine demands and rejected Hasina’s probe offer.
August 1-3: Govt banned Jamaat and Shibir. UN offered to send a fact-finding team. Protesters demanded Hasina’s resignation and announced a non-cooperation movement. Attacks and clashes left more dead. UNICEF raised concern over deaths of 32 children. Long March to Dhaka was declared.
August 4: The deadliest day-at least 91 killed, including 14 policemen. Protesters attacked police stations and AL offices. Hasina labeled them “terrorists.” Govt re-imposed nationwide curfew and shut down the internet.
August 5: Thousands defied curfew to join the March to Dhaka.
Crowds stormed Ganabhaban. In the afternoon, Hasina resigned and fled to India with her sister. Army chief initiated talks with political leaders. Celebrations broke out nationwide. President Shahabuddin began steps to form an interim government.
