In Bangladesh, a series of student-led protests that started in July culminated in the ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, marking a dramatic shift in the country’s political landscape. The protests, which began as demonstrations against government hiring rules, escalated into a nationwide movement that led to the downfall of the 76-year-old prime minister.
The unrest began on July 1 when university students in Dhaka initiated blockades to demand reforms of the civil service quota system, which they argued was used to favor loyalists of Hasina’s ruling Awami League party. The protesters accused the government of exploiting the quota system to stack the civil service with party loyalists. Despite their pleas, Hasina dismissed the protests as a waste of time, dismissing the students’ demands.
By July 16, the situation had intensified dramatically. The first recorded deaths occurred when clashes between protesters and pro-government supporters turned violent in Dhaka. Six people were killed as violence erupted, with protesters and supporters clashing with sticks and throwing bricks. In response, the government ordered the nationwide closure of schools and universities to quell the unrest.
On July 18, the confrontation escalated further. Despite Hasina’s attempt to calm the situation by vowing to punish those responsible for the violence, the protesters remained defiant. They rejected her olive branch, chanting “down with the dictator” and setting fire to government buildings, including the headquarters of Bangladesh Television. The government responded by imposing an internet blackout, attempting to cut off communication among the protesters. The violence continued, with at least 32 people killed and hundreds injured despite a curfew and the deployment of soldiers.
The situation took a significant turn on July 21 when Bangladesh’s Supreme Court, which critics view as a tool of Hasina’s government, ruled that the reintroduction of job quotas was illegal. However, the court’s decision did not meet the protesters’ demand to completely abolish job reservations for the children of “freedom fighters,” leaving many protesters dissatisfied.
The turning point came on August 5. Thousands of protesters stormed Prime Minister Hasina’s palace in Dhaka, forcing her to flee the capital by helicopter. Her departure came on the heels of the deadliest day of the protests, during which at least 94 people were killed, many in confrontations with her supporters. The chaos was so widespread that soldiers and police were often seen standing by without intervening, a stark contrast to their previous efforts to suppress the unrest.
In the wake of Hasina’s dramatic exit, Bangladesh’s army chief, General Waker-uz-Zaman, appeared on state television to announce that the prime minister had resigned and that the military would establish an interim government. This announcement marked the end of Hasina’s autocratic rule and ushered in a new phase of political uncertainty in Bangladesh.
The protests, which began with student demands for job reform, ultimately evolved into a massive political movement that challenged the government’s authority and exposed widespread dissatisfaction with Hasina’s leadership. The violence and upheaval over the past month have had a profound impact on Bangladesh, leading to significant political changes and raising questions about the future direction of the country.
