Essay on July 24 Quota Movement/ Student People's Uprising

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July 24 Quota Movement/ Student People's Uprising in Bangladesh

 The 2024 Bangladesh is basically a reform movement was a series of anti-government and pro-democracy in Bangladesh. This movement was initiated primarily by university  students. At first they  concentrated on restructuring  quota systems for government job service but the movement expanded against autocratic government. The fascist government  severely killed protestors and civilians,  utmost of whom were  students. The students movement escalated and  latterly  crowned into a completely- fledged mass  insurrection known as the Pupil – People's  insurrection. Ruling party activists severely attacked  Quota Movement protesters at Dhaka University. They also attacked wounded demonstrators who were being taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for treatment. More than ten thousands were injured and more than thousands were killed in fierce clashes between protesting  scholars and law enforcers joined in by ruling party activists in civil. Pile of  students' dead bodies were burnt. 

July 17, 2024:

Police attacked  students at DU, JU and RU during" absentee burial" for student killers. Students declared " Complete  Shutdown" for the coming days. The then prime Minister Sheikh Hasina addresses the nation and announces a judicial  inquiry into  former day's killings.

July 18, 2024:

Police and BCL men attacked  students at Brac University and other institutions. At least 29 killed in daylong mayhem as clashes broke out in 19  districts of Bangladesh, inciters vandalised, torched BTV Bhaban, Setu Bhaban and other government establishments. Internet service blocked across the country. Metro rail operations suspended for indefinite period.

July 19, 2024:

 Effective from night, government announced civil curfew and deployed army after daylong violence killing at least 66 people. Further government establishments, including Narsingdi jail, metro rail stations, BRTA  services, vandalised and burned.

July 20, 2024:

At least 21 were killed on the first day of curfew amid army deployment. Curfew extended until  farther notice and a two- day general public vacation was announced. Crucial organiser of  Quota  rally were picked up and several BNP leaders were detained.

July 21, 2024:

Supreme Court curtails quota proportions to 7 percent. On this day at least seven killed amid curfew. Chiefs of three forces meet Sheikh Hasina, as UN, EU, UK voice concern over violence.

July 22, 2024:

Six injured people in former days' clashes died, taking death risk to 146. Hasina warns BNP and Jamaat of consequences; army  xhief expedients for return of normality. Arrest of BNP and Jamaat leaders continues.

July 23, 2024:

Govt issued  indirect reforming share system, but the Quota organisers rejected it. Apprehensions and raids targeting opposition leaders and demonstrators continued amid curfew. Broadband internet is back in some areas.

 July 24, 2024:

Inter-district  bus and launch services  resumed  partially.

July 25, 2024:

JP leader Partha Andaleeve, businessman David Hasnat, among dozens, were arrested, as social media remains off- limits. UN, Amnesty International, US, Canada called for end to crackdown. Hasina made first public appearance since army deployment and visited damaged metro rail station.

July 26, 2024:

Detective Branch of police picked up three organisers. BNP called for  public unity and ouster of government. Hasina visited Dhaka Medical College Hospital on the alternate day of public appearance after the curfew  announcement. UN called for an end to crackdown and full restoration of internet services.

July 27, 2024:

Block raids targeting protesters, mainly  students, continued as DB picked up two  further  Quota organisers. Fourteen foreign  operations prompted govt to hold law enforcers responsible for wrongdoings. Hasina visited Pongu Hospital, and said violence was committed to cripple economy of the country.

July 28, 2024:

Civil crackdown went on, with over 2.13 lakh people made accused in over 200 cases in Dhaka  city alone. Mobile internet is back, but social media remains shut. After having a  lunch with DB  principal Harunor Rashid at his office, six organisers  were forced to read out a written statement, lifting the movement. But, a section of organisers who were outside of DB office continued their protest  Government announced death toll for first time, setting it at 147.

July 29, 2024:

Protesters took to streets again in some districts, faced police obstructions and dozens were detained. Government announced plan to ban Jamaat-Shibir. HC rebuked DB over handling of the six quota organisers, including sharing the photograph of having lunch with them on social media.

 July 30, 2024:

Students and teachers of JU held silent procession, teachers of several universities held rallies, guardians protested death of children, obstructed by cops. Eminent citizens blamed government for loss of lives. Hasina said government would take "foreign help" for judicial probe, announced nationwide mourning for the next day. Police crackdown continued.

July 31, 2024:

Protesters rejected government-called nationwide mourning, staged demonstration in capital and elsewhere. Six quota movement organisers were still detained in DB custody. Eminent citizens formed probe body, urged public support. EU delayed partnership talks with Dhaka. Thousands of HSC students announced boycott of exams if fellow examinees were not released from police custody and from jail

 August 2, 2024:

Demonstrators continued protest against killings, thousands joined march for justice. Protesters were attacked by AL activists and police in capital, elsewhere, leaving two more dead. Protesters announced countrywide demonstration for next day and non-cooperation movement from Sunday. Facebook was blocked again for seven hours. Six organisers admitted "statement of withdrawal made from DB office was not voluntary".

August 3, 2024:

Coordinators of the Quota Movement announced a one-point demand for the resignation of the Prime Minister and her cabinet and declared  "comprehensive non-cooperation". On the following day, violent clashes broke out, resulting in the deaths of 97 people, including students.

August 4, 2024: 

Thousands of protesters assembled at the Shahbag intersection in the morning, announcing it as a form of civil disobedience to demand the government's resignation. The announced 'Gonobhabon (Prime Minister Building) Gherao' program on August 5, 2024 and urged the people from all walks of life to participate in the program.

August 5, 2024: 

Waker-uz-Zaman, the Chief of the Army Staff allowed Hasina 45 minutes to decide whether she would remain in power or resign as hundreds of thousands of protesters already surrounded Gonobhabon (PM residence) and more hundreds of thousands people started marching towards Gonobhabon (PM residence ) only 45 minutes away. Hasina decided and resigned on 5 August 2024, Her resignation was announced by Waker-uz-Zaman who is the Chief of the Army Staff. Later that day, Hasina fled to India in a chaotic departure, first by car, then by helicopter, and finally by plane.