Inquilab

How Bangladesh’s Quota Reform Protest Turned into a Mass Uprising Against a ‘Killer Government’ In July 2024, Bangladesh saw a major student-led protest against the government job quota system. Students from Dhaka University and other universities initiated the "Anti-Discrimination Student Movement," which quickly spread nationwide. Despite the Prime Minister labeling the protests as "unjustified" and the Supreme Court's decision to uphold the quota system, students continued to demand its complete abolition. The protests turned violent, leading to clashes between students, police, and ruling party members, resulting in injuries and deaths.
In response, the government imposed a nationwide curfew, deployed the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), closed universities, and enforced an internet blackout. The violent government crackdown contributed to the eventual downfall of the ruling party after 15 years in power.