From peaceful demonstrations to the dramatic end of Sheikh Hasina’s rule, follow the key events that shaped the upheaval.
JUNE 5
The High Court reinstates the quota system for civil service jobs that was abolished by the government in 2018.
JULY 1
Dhaka University students build barricades blocking roads and railway lines to demand reforms to the quota system.
JULY 12
Students gather at Shahbagh and stage a ‘Bangla’ blockade. While protesting at Comilla Victoria College, a group of Bangladesh Chhatra League members launch an attack on the students.
JULY 14
During a press conference, when former PM Hasina is asked about the quota protests, she says, “If the grandchildren of freedom fighters do not receive (quota) benefits, who would get it? The grandchildren of Razakars?” Angered by the statement, the protesting students shoot back: “Tui ke? Ami ke? Razakar, Razakar! (Who are you? Who am I? Razakar, Razakar!)”.
JULY 15
Chhatra League and other ruling party activists attack quota protesters at Dhaka University. They also attack wounded demonstrators inside and outside Dhaka Medical College Hospital. As a result more than 300 students are injured.
JULY 16
Six people are killed in on-going clashes between protesting students, and Chhatra League members and law enforcement agencies in Dhaka, Chattogram, and Rangpur. These are the first recorded deaths in the protests. The government orders a nationwide closure of schools and universities.
JULY 17
Police attack student protesters at Dhaka University, Jahangirnagar University, and Rajshahi University. Students announce a nationwide ‘complete shutdown’ for the next day. Hasina addresses the nation and announces a judicial probe into the previous day’s killings.
JULY 18
Clashes escalate as private university and college students join the protest and the government deploys 229 platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh nationwide to maintain law and order amid a ‘complete shutdown’ announced by the protesters. Internet service, first 4G then broadband, is blocked across the country. Agitators torch the headquarters of state broadcaster Bangladesh Television and other government buildings and infrastructures. At least 29 people are killed amidst the clashes.
JULY 19-20
Effective from midnight, the government announces a nationwide curfew and deploys the army. More government establishments, including Narsingdi jail, metro rail stations, and BRTA offices are vandalised or torched. A key organiser of the protests is ‘picked up.’
JULY 21
The Supreme Court decides to reduce the quota system from 56 percent to 7 percent, but by then the situation had escalated to a matter of state authorised police brutality resulting in the deaths of countless minors and civilians.
JULY 23
Following a government-directed 150-hour internet blackout, broadband services resume. This leads to increased online activism against Hasina’s oppressive regime despite social media remaining off-limits. Arrests and raids targeting protesters continue amid curfew.
JULY 26-27
Detective Branch (DB) of police picks up five more protest organisers.
JULY 28
While mobile internet is restored, social media platforms remain inaccessible. From the DB office, six detained organisers announce the end of their movement. However, protesters outside the office vow to continue their demonstrations, claiming that the announcement was made under duress. The government confirms the death toll for the first time, reporting 147 fatalities.
JULY 30
The Students Against Discrimination Movement announces ‘March for Justice’, a new programme rejecting the government’s call for nationwide mourning for victims killed in the violence. They make a nine-point demand including a public apology from Sheikh Hasina and an investigation into the excessive use of force by law enforcement agencies.
Following the announcement, social media platforms flood with red profile pictures in solidarity with the students. Meanwhile, government supporters turn their profile pictures black.
AUGUST 1
Government bans opposition group Jamaat-e-Islami, cracks down on protesters and opposition parties, and continues blaming them for instigating student protests.
Six key organisers of the movement, who were forcibly detained by the DB for a week, are released. The organisers accuse the government of using the police to suppress the movement, including making arrests, torture, and intimidation of students. Many declare on social media that the month of July will continue until justice is served, tagging their posts with ‘July 32nd.’
AUGUST 2
The Daily Star estimates that between 150 and 266 people have died in connection with the protests, at least 10,769 individuals, many of them students, have been arrested in 673 cases across the country since July 18.
AUGUST 3
Students reject the government’s call for negotiation, announce a non-cooperation movement, and change their nine point demand to a one point agenda, demanding the resignation of Hasina and her cabinet members.
AUGUST 4
Thousands of students, teachers, guardians with children, lawyers, civil society members, freedom fighters, day labourers, and political activists join a demonstration at Shaheed Minar, braving the rain. The area reverberates with anti-government slogans, calling for the resignation of Hasina.
At least 93 people are killed in fresh violence as students demand the government to step down. The government declares a nation-wide curfew again and in response, The Students Against Discrimination Movement announces the ‘Long March to Dhaka’ programme for the next day, calling upon people across the country to join.
AUGUST 5
Upon seeing thousands of people from all walks of life march towards Dhaka defying the curfew to demand her resignation, and Bangladesh Army refusing to take up arms against its people, Sheikh Hasina, who served as the prime minister of the nation since 2009, is forced to resign and flee Bangladesh.
As Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman announces her resignation and the decision to form an interim government, citizens all over the country are seen celebrating on the streets. With no one to stop them, people storm Gonobhaban and the National Parliament House. Acts of vandalism, arson, and looting are reported at different locations throughout the country, mainly targeted at the monuments and residences of the ousted government.
AUGUST 6
Police stations and outposts remain deserted as hundreds of them are burnt down or razed to the ground in revenge for police brutality on
student protesters and anti-government campaigners. With the entire police force remaining absent and without any directives or announcements about law and order, establishments, shops and even private residences are looted, attacked, and vandalised across different parts of the country due to a complete collapse of law and order. Students and ordinary citizens take up the responsibility of directing traffic and patrolling their neighbourhoods at night.
AUGUST 8
Bangladesh’s President Mohammed Shahabuddin administers the oath of office to Dr Muhammad Yunus, as the head of the interim government.
The unprecedented escalation of events and the subsequent collapse of the government now leaves the nation looking forward uncertainly but with a renewed sense of hope.
The current youth of Bangladesh has never known a government outside of Awami League, but those of us who have are skeptical as we have not seen better examples from the other political parties of this country. While we understand the reasons why the interim government was set up the way it was and most people are more or less happy with the selection of advisers, a number of people are also uncomfortable with an unelected government running the show for a long period of time. While the students have impressed us with their vigour and strive for justice, many of us are apprehensive of inexperienced students being in charge of big ministries like ICT, Sports and Youth. While it is imperative that the nation reforms the systems that are incorrigibly corrupt, and addresses the horrific abuses suffered by people, it is also important to keep in mind the economy and the fact that we cannot afford to increase the financial burden on the nation. All reforms and measures should be taken keeping in mind the economic health of the country, as there is nothing that triggers discontent and discrimination more than poverty.
It has not been long since they were put in charge, so we must not be too quick to judge, but we are yet to see any impressive action from the interim government in terms of economic reforms and progress. Instead what we are increasingly witnessing is slightly alarming – the release of convicted killers and politicians of former opposition parties without much of an explanation; acquittals of cases against individuals in the current government, again without any explanations. Recently we have also begun the see arrests of politicians of the former government, marking the beginning of what appears to be the same witch-hunt we have seen for the past 15 years, only with the positions reversed.
Despite the doubts and apprehension creeping into the newfound sense of hope, there is no denying that general public of Bangladesh finally feel like they have been unshackled from chains. For the moment at least. While basking in the glory of claiming back our rights and freedom of speech, we must remember to stay vigilant so that no one is able to take it away from us again.
Photographs: Collected
