The Student Led July Revolution holds an auspicious place in the hearts of every Bangladeshi

as it has created a significant political and socio economic effect on the landscape of this
country. This movement has demonstrated the power of youths to stand against inequality and
injustice. This is one of the greatest student-led movements in this country’s modern history
where the students initially demand for quota reform and eventually it transforms into a mass
movement of taking a stand against a cruel fascist government.
The movement starts from the 1st of July on Dhaka University campus where the student
demand for reformation of the quota system because 56% of government jobs were quota
based rather than merit based. This created an unequal field of job opportunity in an already
struggling economy. Around 30% of jobs were reserved for the children and grandchildren of
freedom fighters who were only a minority of the population. The students were further enraged
when the High Court decided to reintroduce this quota. This movement collectively grew larger
as people realised that they were not only unhappy with the quota system but also with the
widespread corruption and injustice within the country. As the government took a hostile
approach to ignite the flames of this protest by shooting down protestors and taking every
violent step possible to stop this movement, they completely underestimated the power of the
youth.
While the initial demands were reforming the quota system, reserving fair percentage for
minorities and disabled people and passing proposing a new quota system with 5% quota, after
the destructive massacre on the students and civilians of the country, it became a nationwide
protest where the Anti Discrimination Student Movement formed a nine point demand. These
demands included : public apology of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, resignation of Home
Minister Assaduzzaman Khan and Transport and Bridge Minister Obaidul Kader, dismissal of
law enforcement involved in casualties with students, resignation of Vice Chancellor and
proctors of Dhaka University, Jahangirnagar University, Rajshahi University, banning the
student wing of Awami League known as Chhatra League, financial compensation to the
families of students who were killed or injured and reopening of educational institution and
student halls.
After mass killings, blockades and nationwide curfew, the rage of the people transformed this 9
point demand to the final 1 point demand, which only demanded the resignation of Sheikh
Hasina from power.
While the original motivation was creating an environment with equal job opportunities in a job
market that was erupting with unemployment, the protest evolved into a massive battle against
the authoritarian government of the Awami League that reigned with unfair elections and
essentially stole the fundamental human rights of free speech with time. Within the years they
were in power, they birthed an environment full of corruption, financial and economic instability
for the working class of Bangladesh. The elections held in between the years from 2014 to 2024
completely destroyed the trust of civilians for a free and fair election. The hearts of the people
were full of mistrust, sorrow and frustration over time and this July protest acted as a catalyst
that fueled the people to finally take a stand against this fascist government and overthrow
them.
This movement was led mostly by student organisations and did not have one formal figure but
rather a collective group of people who provided guidance and leadership. The movement
began in public universities and eventually made its way through private universities, colleges,
schools, madrasas and other educational institutions. The movement eventually formed a
central group of people known as the Anti Discriminatory Student Movement and the
government tried their best to dissolve their leadership by torturing and arresting them. The
police arrested 3 student coordinators namely: Asif Mahmud, Nahid Islam and Abu Baker
Majumdar. As well as detained Sarjis Alam and Hasnat Abdullah. They were allegedly beaten
and tortured while in police custody. The arrests were politically motivated and eventually
around 34 student coordinators were arrested.
Since the ultimate motivation was the complete breakdown of the autocratic regime that had
taken over the country, all kinds of people from all over the country engaged with the movement
and showed their support. The student leaders organised demands for state reformation rather
than a system of complete reformation of the country. This allowed them to have a politically
neutral stance that did not promote violence and the protests were held peacefully. Different
opposition parties also joined their hands, such as BNP, Jamaat-E-Islami and other leftist
organisations.
As the movements escalated across the country, the Prime Minister rather than having a neutral
demeanour, made controversial remarks and even labelled the students protesting as
“razakars”. These derogatory remarks converted this into a movement against oppression and
fascism. The greatest tool to facilitate the movement was the Internet. As the majority of the
protestors were Gen-Z , they knew how to effectively use the internet to preach the injustice
happening against them. Students posted all over social media such as Facebook, Twitter and
Instagram. They posted about ongoing police attacks and warned fellow protestors about areas
with extreme hostility to divert them to safety. From making protection gear, to finding methods
to tolerate tear gas, they took every step possible to educate themselves for their safety to fight
in this movement. Mass mails were sent to foreign news networks and media in order to
encourage them to shed light on the situation in Bangladesh as well as gain international
support.
These steps worked greatly, favoured the students and soon there were protests held worldwide
to support them. While the students protested by themselves, they alone were not enough. They
needed support from different social classes to create significant impact. This included the
support of the common men in the country, the workers, labourers and the intellectuals.
Collectively they became an unstoppable force that collapsed the fascist government.
This collaborative student movement eventually resulted in the resignation of Sheikh Hasina as
prime minister and fleeing the country. Many other ministers also fled alongside her on the 5th
of August. This date has emerged as an important historical milestone in Bangladesh. But the
battle was not over yet. The days that followed after her resignation were also filled with chaos
as there was no law and order across the country. The army announced its takeover and
promised to form an interim government to provide leadership. They advised the people to
remain calm and collective under these circumstances.
The first weeks were filled with enraged people marching across the country and vandalizing
government property. The nights were filled with violence and cases of robbery. Some even
targeted other minorities and attacked their homes. However, the people of Bangladesh vowed
to protect their minority brothers and sisters by guarding their homes and temples.
Eventually an interim government was formed and Dr. Mohammad Yunus was appointed as the
chief advisor. Under his leadership, Bangladesh saw a new dawn of hope and prosperity.
Since there was no law enforcement to protect and stabilise the situation, the students stepped
in again. They performed their civic duties such as controlling traffic, cleaning the roadsides,
patrolling neighbourhoods and painting the walls of public property with motivational graffiti.
This generation has truly inspired the people of Bangladesh with their spirit of fighting against
injustice and discrimination. This generation which was once considered has completely
uninterested in politics has shown that they are willing to do anything to reform their country and
build a safer and beautiful Bangladesh.