2024: The 36-day July uprising that pushed Hasina from power

The 36-day uprising, sparked by a demand for quota reform, leads to the dramatic fall of Sheikh Hasina

A quota reform movement ignited at Dhaka University in mid-2024 culminated in the dramatic fall of Sheikh Hasina's 15-and-a-half-year rule.

The 36-day nationwide uprising, driven by widespread student discontent, toppled the long-standing Awami League government, forcing Hasina to flee to India.

The protests began as a call for reforms in public service quotas but intensified when Hasina, during a press conference, declared that the issue would be resolved in court.

Her remarks, questioning whether the descendants of freedom fighters should be replaced by those of collaborators, provoked a surge of resentment.

That evening, Dhaka University resonated with chants of "Tumi ke, ami ke—Rajakar, Rajakar," (who are you, who am I—collaborator, collaborator) creating an explosive atmosphere.

Instead of negotiating, the government resorted to heavy-handed measures—bullets, detentions, and crackdowns by law-enforcing agencies.

Streets ran red with blood, hospitals overflowed with casualties, and public anger surged.

Efforts to stifle dissent through social media and internet blackouts only backfired.

Within 20 days of violence, the government collapsed under the weight of its own crackdown.

On Aug 5, enraged crowds stormed government installations, including Ganabhaban, while chaos and looting erupted across Bangladesh. With the nation leaderless for three days, an interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus assumed power on Aug 8.

The aftermath saw a month of instability, marked by nightly robbery fears, community watch patrols, and protests from various factions, bringing governance to a halt.

A preliminary report by the Special Cell on Uprisings recorded “858 deaths” and “over 11,500 injuries” during the protests.

QUOTA REFORM SAGA

Quota systems in government jobs have existed since the country gained independence, though their rates and types have changed over time.

Until 2018, 56 percent of government job positions were reserved under quotas.

Among these, 30 percent were allocated for the children and grandchildren of freedom fighters, 10 percent for women, 10 percent on a district basis, 5 percent for ethnic minorities, and 1 percent for persons with disabilities.

In 2018, amid widespread protests in educational institutions across the country, including Dhaka, the quota system was abolished for first and second-class jobs.

However, quotas for third and fourth-class positions remained intact through a notification.

Challenging the legality of this notification, seven individuals, including freedom fighter's son Ohidul Islam, filed a writ petition with the High Court in 2021.

On Jun 5, 2024, the High Court ruled the abolition of the quota system invalid after the final hearing on the petition.

On the same day, students staged protests rejecting the verdict at Dhaka University, Jahangirnagar University, Rajshahi University, and other locations.

Subsequently, on Jun 9, the state appealed to suspend the High Court's decision.

An analysis of the events during this period reveals that while protests occurred nationwide for the first 40 days following the Jun 5 verdict, the movement turned violent by mid-July due to attacks on student processions by Bangladesh Chhatra League, the student wing of the Awami League, and indiscriminate police firing. This led to arson and destruction.

KEY EVENTS TIMELINE:

Jul 1: Under the banner of the Anti-discrimination Student Movement, students launched widespread protests in Dhaka, Jahangirnagar, Jagannath, Chattogram, and Rajshahi universities. A three-day programme was announced, demanding the abolition of quotas in government jobs.

Jul 7: The “Bangla Blockade” programme was observed nationwide. Massive protests and blockades paralysed Dhaka. The next day, a continuation of the “Bangla Blockade” was declared.

Jul 9: The Anti-discrimination Student Movement announced a dawn-to-dusk blockade at key points of the country’s roads and railways. Two students joined the appeal against the High Court’s verdict through a lawyer.

Jul 10: The Supreme Court’s Appellate Division issued a four-week status quo on the High Court’s order reinstating quotas, setting the next hearing for Aug 7.

PRESS CONFERENCE AND AFTERMATH

Jul 14: The High Court issued its full judgment, reinstating the quota system.

On the same day, a press conference at the prime minister’s official residence stirred further outrage. When asked about the issue, then prime minister Sheikh Hasina made a controversial comment: “If the grandchildren of freedom fighters won’t get jobs, will the grandchildren of the Rajakars (collaborators) get them?” She clearly said the court would resolve the matter, and if there was unrest, the law would take its course.

That night, protests erupted in the dormitories of Dhaka University. The chant “Tumi ke, ami ke—Rajakar, Rajakar” (who are you, who am I—collaborator, collaborator) began, intensifying tensions further.

Jul 15: Attacks by the Chhatra League and pro-government supporters targeted protesters on the Dhaka University campus. Videos of innocent female students being beaten with sticks spread on social media, causing public outrage. Graffiti with anti-autocracy slogans began appearing on walls across the city.

Jul 16: A leave-to-appeal was filed in the Appellate Division. Violent protests and road blockades occurred nationwide, leading to the deaths of six people. Among the victims was Abu Sayed, a student of Begum Rokeya University's English department, who was shot by police while trying to protect himself with his arms outstretched. The video of the shooting ignited further anger.

In response, all educational institutions across the country were closed, and university dormitories were vacated, with Chhatra League leaders forcibly removed.

Jul 17: A “Gayebana Janaza” or symbolic funeral prayer was held at Dhaka University, leading to clashes with police. The focus of the protests shifted to private universities. Later that evening, then prime minister addressed the nation, urging students to remain patient until the verdict from the higher court.

Violence continued, and clashes broke out in the Jatrabari area, where police indiscriminately fired shots, resulting in several casualties, including a journalist. The toll plaza on the Mayor Hanif Flyover in Jatrabari was set on fire, and Facebook was blocked that night.

Jul 18: The violence showed no signs of abating. In Merul Badda, police were trapped and had to be rescued by helicopter. Arson attacks were launched on the BTV building, and several government buildings, including Banani's Setu Bhaban and the Disaster Management Building in the capital’s Mohakhali, were targeted. Clashes with police continued, leaving students and other protesters injured or killed. The Awami League proposed reducing the quota to 20 percent, instead of the previous 56 percent.

The government signalled its readiness for dialogue, with then law minister Anisul Haq announcing their willingness to meet with protesters. However, the platform for the Anti-discrimination Student Movement rejected the proposal for talks. Internet services were shut down from 9pm onwards.

Jul 19: Violence erupted again in Dhaka and other parts of the country, leaving the situation tense. There were widespread incidents of vandalism, arson, and clashes, with protesters targeting government buildings like the metro rail station, elevated expressway toll plaza, and Mirpur Indoor Stadium. Senior BNP leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi was arrested. The internet shutdown caused further disruptions, and a curfew was imposed at midnight. At least 56 people were killed in the violence.

The Anti-discrimination Student Movement announced their decision to continue their shutdown, demanding public apologies from Hasina and resignations from two ministers, along with nine other demands. In a meeting at the Padma Guest House, three leaders of the movement presented eight demands to government officials. The Law Minister Anisul, Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury, and State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat attended the meeting.

Jul 20: Despite the curfew, clashes between law-enforcing agencies and protesters continued in Dhaka, Savar, Gazipur, and Mymensingh. Many protesters were injured or killed. In a meeting with the three main coordinators of the movement, the ministers discussed the students' eight demands. However, differences emerged among the coordinators about the discussions. Violence in Dhaka and Narayanganj claimed at least 26 lives.

Jul 21: The Appellate Division heard the quota case and cancelled the High Court's ruling for the restoration of quotas. It ordered a new allocation: 93 percent merit, 5 percent for freedom fighters, 1 percent for indigenous communities, and 1 percent for the disabled and third-gender quotas, with an option for government changes. Curfews continued, and a nationwide shutdown of public and private institutions, including banks and factories, was enforced.

Jul 22: The quota movement's coordinator Nahid Islam suspended the complete shutdown for 48 hours, giving the government an ultimatum to meet four demands. A general holiday extension was announced, and curfews were extended.

Jul 23: Broadband internet services were gradually restored with priority, followed by full restoration the next day.

Jul 24: Offices reopened after three days of general holidays, with limited working hours from 11am to 3pm due to the continued curfew.

Jul 26: Hasina visited the Bangladesh Television building and the metro rail station to observe the destruction caused by the protests. Her emotional reaction, however, was met with public scepticism, with many labelling it a “drama.”

Jul 27: Amid criticism for not visiting the injured, Hasina visited the Pangu Hospital to meet the wounded. She blamed BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and its student wing Islami Chhatra Shibir for the violence, calling it an attempt to cripple the economy.

Jul 28: Hasina met families of the dead, including Abu Sayed, a student killed during the protests. However, media reports suggested that they were pressured into attending the meeting. The then home minister Asaduzzaman Khan confirmed 147 deaths, while other reports indicated over 200. Mobile internet services were restored after a 10-day hiatus.

Jul 29: The ruling 14-party coalition agreed to ban Jamaat-Shibir's politics, with Hasina presiding over the meeting. Clashes broke out across the country in response to the quota movement's ongoing protests.

Jul 30: A nationwide mourning day was observed for those killed in the quota protests. In protest, the movement urged people to change their Facebook profiles to red and post pictures wearing black cloth over their eyes.

Jul 31: A March for Justice was organised, calling for accountability for the deaths during the protests. Clashes occurred between protesters and law enforcers across various locations, including the Supreme Court and Dhaka University. Hasina expressed interest in international help for a fair investigation, and the United Nations showed willingness to send an inquiry team.

Aug 1: Six coordinators of the Anti-discrimination Student Movement were released from the DB office. A programme called “Remembering Our Heroes” was held to commemorate the dead. Conflicts broke out in Cumilla, Narayanganj, and Barishal. The Awami League government issued a notification banning Jamaat-Shibir and its affiliated organisations for “terrorist activities” in the quota movement.

Aug 2: Reports surfaced of an attack on a mass procession, leading to clashes that resulted in two deaths, including one police officer.

Aug 3: Hasina proposed discussions with protesting students, offering an open invitation to her residence. The protesters rejected the offer. A large gathering at the Central Shaheed Minar called for the government’s resignation. While Dhaka remained relatively calm, at least 11 districts witnessed attacks, vandalism, and clashes, leading to one fatality. Home Minister Kamal said he would resign if the prime minister wished. He further said if attacked, a “response” would be given in self-defence, adding that the student movement was no longer “apolitical.”

Aug 4: On the first day of the non-cooperation movement, the then ruling Awami League announced its participation in protests. The day saw extensive clashes, resulting in over a hundred deaths, including at least 14 police officers and 19 leaders and activists from the Awami League and its affiliates. A “March to Dhaka” was announced by the Anti-discrimination Student Movement amid a large gathering in Shahbagh.

In a statement from the Prime Minister's Office, it was requested that students and guardians return home safely due to ongoing militant attacks. Strict measures were promised against the attackers.

Aug 5: On the eve of Hasina’s downfall, the Awami League displayed aggression by attacking protesters in various locations. Thousands of students and citizens, responding to the “March to Dhaka” call, began heading toward the capital. By midday, news spread that Hasina had resigned and fled to India aboard a military aircraft. Gen Waker-uz-Zaman, the army chief, confirmed that an interim government would be formed to manage the country. Celebration parades erupted across Dhaka, as the public took control of Ganabhaban, the prime minister's residence, confiscating items. Various police stations, the Bangabandhu Bhaban, the Awami League office, and the homes of many AL leaders were attacked. In the evening, President Mohammed Shahabuddin met with leaders of various political parties, including the BNP and Jamaat, at Bangabhaban and announced that an interim government would be formed as soon as possible.

The students had promised to oust Hasina by the end of July, and after the events of Jul 31, they recalculated their timeline, marking Aug 5 as “July 36.”

[Writing in English by Arshi Fatiha Quazi]