Dhaka: Bangladesh witnessed an unimaginable start to the fall of the autocratic Awami League (AL) regime on the first day of July last year, as student protests transformed the ‘quota reform movement’ into an ‘anti-discrimination student movement’. The momentous event, now termed the “July Uprising,” involved a mass participation of students and the general public, ultimately ending the nearly 16-year rule of the AL.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the displeased students initially began their protest to demand the rescinding of the quota system in government jobs. This followed a High Court order that declared illegal the government’s 2018 circular that had scrapped quotas in recruiting first and second-class officers in government services. The deposed government had previously issued the circular in response to extensive student protests, which were met with violent attacks by AL’s student wing, Bangladesh Chhatra League.
The students’ anger reignited after the court reinstated the 56 percent quota system, which included allocations for descendants of freedom fighters, women, residents of backward districts, minority groups, and people with disabilities. The protesters saw the restoration of the quota system as a deprivation for meritorious students and swiftly took to the streets.
The student movement soon spiraled into a larger uprising as the government attempted to suppress the protests with force, leading to the deaths of at least 1,400 individuals and injuries to approximately 20,000 others. This brutal crackdown, reminiscent of the violence seen after the Liberation War, ensured the AL government’s downfall after it came to power in 2008.
The movement, which began gaining momentum on July 1, actually started on June 5 with an immediate reaction from Dhaka University students to the High Court order. Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain, a central coordinator of the movement, recounted in his book, ‘July: Matribhumi Othoba Mrityu,’ how he learned of the court’s decision and realized the need to mobilize against it.
Frustrated by the order, students gathered for an impromptu meeting on the DU campus, leading to a procession and rally rejecting the court’s decision. Nahid Islam, a central key-coordinator, announced further protests demanding the restoration of the 2018 circular.
This call to action resonated across the nation, with students from major universities staging demonstrations and submitting a memorandum to the Attorney General. As pressure mounted, the government filed an appeal with the Appellate Division, setting a hearing for July 4.
Despite an ultimatum set for June 30, the government’s failure to meet the students’ demands led to widespread demonstrations. Students and faculty boycotted classes and exams, and Nahid declared a series of protest programs to continue the movement.
From the rally, Nahid placed additional demands, including the formation of a commission to reform the quota system and the introduction of measures to ensure transparency and meritocracy in government recruitment.