JULY REVOLUTION IN BANGLADESH (2024)

This article is about the combined timeline of the quota reform and anti-government movements. For the quota reform movement, see 2024 Bangladesh quota reform movement. For the anti-government phase, see Non-cooperation movement (2024). For other uses, see July Revolution (disambiguation).

The July Revolution,[a] also known as the Student–People's uprising,[b] was a pro-democracy mass uprising in Bangladesh in 2024.[c] It began as a quota reform movement in early June 2024, led by the Students Against Discrimination, after the Bangladesh Supreme Court invalidated the government's 2018 circular regarding job quotas in the public sector. The movement escalated into a full-fledged mass uprising after the government carried out mass killings of protesters, known as the July massacre, by late July.[13] By early August, the movement evolved into a non-cooperation movement, ultimately leading to the ouster of the then-prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India.[10] Hasina's ouster triggered a constitutional crisis, leading to the formation of an interim government led by the country's only Nobel laureate, Muhammad Yunus, as the chief adviser.

Part of: Third wave of autocratization and Democratic developement in BangladeshVictory procession after the resignation of Sheikh Hasina in Shahbagh, Dhaka

Students launching Bangla Blockade during the quota reform movement in Shahbagh General mass in the non-cooperation movement in Shantinagar, Dhaka

Date

1 July – 5 August 2024 (1 month and 4 days)

Quota reform movement:

1 July – 3 August 2024

Non-cooperation movement:

4–5 August 2024

Location

Bangladesh and abroad Caused by

Authoritarianism and human rights abuse

Economic depression

Retainment of the controversial job quota system

July massacre

Goals

Initially focused on quota reform but then resignation of Sheikh Hasina and her cabinet

Resulted in

Successful

Resignation of Sheikh Hasina and her departure to India

Constitutional crisis and formation of the interim government under Muhammad Yunus

Political and religious violences

(See aftermath)

Parties

Students Against Discrimination

Liberal democratic opposition

Islamist opposition

Leftist opposition

Non-political protesters

Defectors

Bangladesh Government

Lead figures

Collective leadership

Sheikh Hasina Surrendered

Bangladesh Asaduzzaman Khan Surrendered

Obaidul Quader Surrendered

Casualties

Death(s)

1,000+ (MOHFW estimate)[3]

1,400+ (OHCHR estimate)[4]

1,581 (SAD estimate)[5]

Injuries

11,551. Timeline of Student–People's uprising

Quota reform movement

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Further information: 2024 Bangladesh quota reform movement

In 2018, a mass movement was held in Bangladesh demanding quota reform in government jobs, led by the General Students' Rights Protection Council. The main objective of this movement was to reform the ongoing quota system in Class I and II government jobs. Following the continuation of the agitation and pressure from the students, the government announced the abolition of the 46-year-old quota system.

However in 2021, seven children of freedom fighters, including Ahidul Islam, filed a writ petition in the High Court challenging this decision. Finally, on 5 June 2024, a High Court bench of Justice KM Kamrul Quader and Justice Khizir Hayat declared the decision to scrap the quota system invalid. Immediately after the announcement of the verdict, students started protesting against this verdict in various universities of the country.

The movement became more intense in July, with students staging blockades including the "Bangla Blockade". During this time, police used excessive force to quell the agitation led to clashes and a student named Abu Sayed was shot dead by the police in Rangpur. This incident intensified the movement and increased tension across the country.[35]

After that, the movement across the country including Dhaka became violent and many casualties were caused by the attacks of law enforcement agencies, Chhatra League and Jubo League in various places.[36] At this time, curfew was imposed across the country and the internet was shut down. The hearing date of the Appellate Division was later brought forward due to the agitation.[37]

The anti-discrimination student movement gained momentum when private university students joined on July 16. In response to the escalating quota reform movement, the government mandated the closure of all educational institutions on July 16, 2024. Subsequently, on July 17th, students residing in dormitories at public universities across the nation, including Dhaka University, were compelled to vacate their accommodations. However, due to the permanent residency of a significant portion of private university students in Dhaka, their presence within the city noticeably increased on July 18.[38]

On this date, a substantial confrontation occurred between law enforcement and students affiliated with Primeasia University BRAC University and East West University in the Rampura area. Simultaneously, students from AIUB, North South University, Independent University, Bangladesh, Dhaka International University and UIU staged demonstrations along Kuril Bishwa Road and Pragati Sarani. Concurrently, protests were initiated by students from Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology, Bangladesh University of Textiles, Southeast University in Mohakhali area and Northern University in the Uttara region.[39][40][41][42]

Razakar slogans

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Main article: Razakar slogans

Students of the University of Rajshahi using the Razakar slogans on 14 July 2024 at 11:30 p.m. (BST)

On 14 July, during a press conference, Sheikh Hasina responded to a question about the protests stating,

If the grandchildren of freedom fighters don't get quota benefits, will those then go to the grandchildren of the Razakars? That's my question to the countrymen.[43]

In response to Sheikh Hasina's comment, in the early hours of 15 July,[44] students began using slogans such as,

তুমি কে? আমি কে?

রাজাকার, রাজাকার।

কে বলেছে? কে বলেছে?

স্বৈরাচার, স্বৈরাচার!

lit. 'Who are you? Who am I?

Razakar, Razakar.

Who said it? Who said it?

Autocrat, Autocrat!'.[45]

Protesters argued that Hasina’s statement indirectly labelled them as "Razakars" and demeaned them for advocating for quota reform, which led them to adopt the slogan.[46]

Internet outage

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Further information: 2024 Bangladesh internet blackouts

To prevent the movement from spreading nationwide, government ordered the internet to be shut down across the country. The nationwide shutdown of Internet access begun on 18 July continued into 19 July.[47]

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English: Bangladesh is experiencing a near complete #Internet outage after a government-ordered shutdown of mobile networks. Traffic and announced address space dropped to near-zero around 15:00 UTC (21:00 local).

19 July 2024[48]

Judgment of the Appellate Division on the case

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Further information: Ohidul Islam and others v. The Government of Bangladesh and others

On 4 July, the Appellate Division, on 9 June declared the government's decision to cancel the Muktijoddha quota system in the first and second category of government jobs invalid without hearing the state party's application seeking a stay of the High Court's judgment. And upheld the verdict of the High Court for the time being. The state party is asked to file 'leave to appeal'. At that time, the then Chief Justice Obaidul Hasan said, the movement is happening, so be it. Do you change the verdict of the High Court by protesting on the streets?[49]

Later on 10 July, the Appellate Division issued a four-week status quo order on the High Court verdict along with some observations and directions in view of the petition filed by the state party and two students.[50] August 7 had been fixed for the next hearing.[51]

When the full judgment of the High Court was published on 14 July, leave to appeal was filed by the state and two students.[52] Based on the application of Attorney General AM Amin Uddin on 18 July, the Chamber Court of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, Justice M Inayetur Rahim fixed the date of hearing the case on Sunday, July 21.[53]

On 21 July, the Appellate Division reinstated the quota and quashed the judgment given by the High Court. At the same time, even though it is a policy-making matter for the government, in the interest of complete justice according to the constitution, the court ordered 93 percent merit-based recruitment in government jobs. On this day, for the first time in the history of Bangladesh, the proceedings of the Supreme Court were held under curfew.[54]

Massacre

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Further information: July massacre

By early August 2024, the unrest resulted in a significant death toll. Initial official reports claimed 215 deaths,[55] but a United Nations investigation later confirmed that at least 650 people were killed.[56] In August, the Interim Government's Health and Welfare Adviser, Nurjahan Begum, reported that over 1,000 individuals had been killed in the uprising and more than 400 students had lost their eyesight. Additionally, more than 20,000 were injured, and over 11,000 were arrested nationwide. Among the deceased were at least 32 children, according to UNICEF.[57] The exact number of casualties remains uncertain due to government restrictions on information, including reports that hospitals were barred from sharing data, CCTV footage was confiscated, and some victims were buried without identification. As of September the death toll is over one thousand.[58][59]

The massacre, which have been referred to as the July massacre prompted significant criticism and calls for accountability. The University Teachers Network held a demonstration at the University of Dhaka, expressing concern over the violence.[60]

Protibadi Nagorik Somaj condemned the killings during the movement, describing them as a massacre and expressing doubts about the judiciary's ability to deliver impartial justice, as the inquiry commission was formed by the fifth Hasina government, which is also accused of involvement in the massacre. Some academics rejected the government-established public inquiry commission, calling for intervention from the United Nations.[61]

In Sylhet, Nagorik Alem Somaj organized a protest criticizing the killings.[62]

Sheikh Hasina, in her first public statement published through his son Sajeeb Wazed, since being ousted from power, called for an investigation into the deaths during the protests, while also asserting that the police and the Awami League were victims of "terrorist aggression."[63]

Govinda Pramanik, president of the Bangladesh National Hindu Grand Alliance, alleged that the government had killed over 500 innocent people to maintain power, urging that the events be prosecuted at the International Crimes Tribunal in Bangladesh.[64]

Several labor unions and organizations also criticized the killings, demanding justice for those who lost their lives during the July massacre.[65]

A protest march under the banner of Chittagong University Chhatra Dal in Chattogram demanded prosecution against Sheikh Hasina for the massacre.[66]

The Left Democratic Alliance, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal and the Anti-Fascist Left Front criticized the Awami League government rule, urging financial compensation for the families of those killed in the protests and free medical care for the injured.[67] Similarly, the National Democratic Party demanded 10 million taka in compensation for the families of those who died during the massacre, along with a government job for at least one member of each affected family.[68]

Islami Andolan Bangladesh called for an independent tribunal to ensure justice for the victims of the massacre.[69] In addition, the People's Rights Party called for all political parties within the Grand Alliance, including Awami League, to be barred from future elections.[70]

Non-cooperation movement

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Main article: Non-cooperation movement (2024)

On 4 August, thousands of protesters gathered at the Shahbag intersection in the morning, obstructing it as a form of civil disobedience to demand the government's resignation.[71]

Following the start of the Non-cooperation movement, various left-wing organisations in Bangladesh took part in protests. The Proletarian Party of East Bengal for example began a graffiti campaign within the city following the fall of Hasina and the Awami League aimed at criticising the army and calling for an end to military rule.[72] Other far-left student groups also took part in the revolution, such as the Revolutionary Student-Youth Movement, a Marxist-Leninist-Maoist organisation.[73]

At least 97 people died nationwide in confrontations, shootings, and pursuits related to the Non-cooperation movement. Fourteen police officers were killed across the country, with 13 deaths occurring at the Enayetpur police station in Sirajganj. Another officer was killed in Eliotganj, Comilla.[74] Twenty-seven police facilities were attacked and vandalized, and a hundred policemen were injured in these incidents, according to an official statement by the Bangladesh Police.[75]

In Dhaka, unidentified individuals set fire to and damaged various vehicles, including cars, ambulances, motorcycles, and buses, at the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University during the protests.[76] Around 4.30 p.m., eleventh-grade student Golam Nafiz was shot by the police in Dhaka Farmgate area, whose photo of being taken to the hospital on rickshaw went viral on internet, creating high outrage by netizens.[77] By 12:00 p.m., users across the country reported internet inaccessibility.[78] The government ordered the closure of Facebook, Messenger, WhatsApp, Instagram, and all other Meta-owned services, directing internet service providers to comply after 1:00 p.m.[79]

The government declared a three-day general holiday starting from 5 August, during which banks will also remain closed.[80] The Anti-Discrimination Students Movement confirmed their intention to march towards Dhaka on 6 August to demand the Prime Minister's resignation.[81] The Bangladesh University Teachers' Network proposed a framework for an interim government, suggesting it be composed of teachers, judges, lawyers, and representatives from civil society, reflecting the views of various civil and political groups for a democratic transition.[82]

Asif Mahmud, a coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Students Movement, announced that their march to Dhaka had been rescheduled to 5 August, instead of 6 August. He called on protesters and civilians nationwide to march toward the capital and participate in civil disobedience.[83] Several former Bangladesh Army officers, including former chief of staff Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan, held a press briefing urging soldiers to return to camps and refrain from getting involved in the political crisis or being used against civilians.[84][85]

Retired Brig. Gen. M. Sakhawat Hossain stated that there was significant unease among the troops, which likely pressured the chief of army staff as soldiers were deployed and witnessing the events. Retired officers, including Brig. Gen. Mohammad Shahedul Anam Khan, defied the curfew on Monday and took to the streets, with Khan noting that the army did not intervene. In response to calls for a march to Dhaka, DMP Commissioner Habibur Rahman warned of zero tolerance, stating that legal action would be taken against curfew violators.[86]

The Anti-discrimination Students Movement rejected the curfew and encouraged everyone to march towards the Ganabhaban and Prime minister's office.[87]

In the morning of 5 August 2024,[88] units of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police and Armed Police Battalion would be sent to hold the Chankharpul area of Dhaka and disperse the approaching participants of the Long March to Dhaka, at first the police were firing tear gas, sound grenades, and rubber bullets.[88] However, some like Md. Sujon Hossain, constable[89][90] of the Armed Police Battalion, would fire live bullets indiscriminately at the protestors,[88][89] leading to the deaths of seven people.[89]

Reports indicated Sheikh Hasina had been moved to a secure location.[91] On the same day, up to 135 people, including 24 police officers, were killed during protests.

Main article: Resignation of Sheikh Hasina

Hasina resigned on 5 August 2024, as large crowds of demonstrators surrounded the prime minister's residence.[93] Her resignation was announced by General Waker-uz-Zaman, the Chief of the Army Staff.[d] Later that day, Hasina fled to India in a chaotic departure, first by car, then by helicopter, and finally by plane.[93] She left with no resignation speech.[93]

Hasina reportedly flew in a Bangladesh Air Force C-130 transport to Hindon Air Force base in Ghaziabad, India, where she was received by the Indian national security advisor Ajit Doval along with other senior military officials.[e] Indian foreign minister S. Jaishankar told the Parliament, "At very short notice, she requested approval to come for the moment to India."[93] Her son, Sajeeb Wazed, initially said that she would not return to politics and planned to "stay in Delhi for a little while" before her next destination, but subsequently said on 7 August that she and the Awami League would remain active in the Bangladeshi political scene[102][103] and that she would return to the country once elections were declared.[104] He also insisted that Sheikh Hasina was still the prime minister, saying that she was unable to formally submit her resignation after being forced to flee from the protesters.[105] Hasina had hoped to go to London, but the United Kingdom reportedly rebuffed initial overtures seeking political asylum. She reportedly considered seeking temporary residence in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Belarus, or Qatar. Because her nephew lives in Finland, that country was speculated as a possible destination. Although Sajeeb Wazed lives in the U.S., she is considered unlikely to seek asylum there, as the U.S. government criticized her rule in Bangladesh.[106]

Hasina was living in a secret location in India under tight security as of August 2024.[107] Sajeeb Wazed said that the protests which led to her resignation had support from a foreign intelligence agency, without naming any country.[108] In a statement published in the Indian media on 11 August, she accused the United States of influencing her resignation, and previously accused the United States of conspiring to oust her in the Jatiya Sangsad.[109] However, Wazed called the statement "false and fabricated" and said Hasina "did not give any statement before or after leaving Dhaka".[110] The White House also denied allegations of any US involvement.[111] On 13 August, Hasina released her first confirmed statements since her overthrow published by Wazed Joy calling for an investigation into the killings made during the protests, while insisting that police and the Awami League were also victims of "terrorist aggression".