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This article is about anti-government protests in Bangladesh from 2022-2024. For for the following disinvestment movement and mass uprising that overthrew Sheikh Hasina, see Student–People's uprising.
10 December 2022 – 5 August 2024 (1 year, 7 months and 26 days) Initial phase: 10 December 2022 – January 2024 (1 year and 1 month) Student–People's uprising: 5 June – 5 August 2024 (2 months)
600+ (OHCHR estimate)[1][2]
1,000+ (Bangladesh government estimate)[3] (excluding initial phase)
Injuries
~20,000+ (excluding initial phase)
The Bangladesh protests of 2022–24 were a series of anti-government demonstrations against the administration of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Initiated by the Bangladeshi opposition parties on 10 December 2022, the protests continued spite of the government crackdowns. Though initially low-level, with instances of vandalism in late 2023, the movement gained momentum in 2024.[4] The protests became linked to the Student–People's uprising, as both shared similar objectives related to government accountability and systemic change. In July 2024, the unrest intensified and turned into a civil disinvestment movement, ultimately leading to Hasina's resignation and eventual exile from the country.
In December 2022, tens of thousands marched in Dhaka demanding the resignation of Sheikh Hasina.[5] The protests were linked to rising commodity costs and inflation as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. More violence escalated during October and November 2023, resulting in the deaths of two people.
In June 2024, the Supreme Court announced that reinstated the pre-2018 quota system in government jobs, triggering massive quota reform protests due to limited opportunity based on merit. Violent suppression angered the public further, resulting in thousands more casualties and hundreds killed, the event known as July massacre. This lasted until the overthrow of Sheikh Hasina government.
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (August 2024)
On 8 December 2022, significant unrest occurred as opposition parties, mainly the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), held a rally in Dhaka to demand free elections and the resignation of the government led by the Awami League. The government responded with a heavy crackdown. Hundreds of protesters were arrested, and clashes with the police resulted in the death of one protester.[6][7]
In January 2023, the opposition forces continued to mobilize in Dhaka. These rallies were primarily organized to protest the outcomes of the upcoming elections, demanding electoral reforms and the establishment of a caretaker government to ensure fair elections.[8]
On 28 October 2023, Anti-Government protests escalated significantly in Dhaka and other areas. Two protesters were killed, and dozens were injured in violent clashes with law enforcement. Protests also spread to the Kishoreganj District, where tensions between protesters and the police were similarly high.[9] During these demonstrations, a policeman was reported to have been beaten to death by a mob.[10] Following the announcement of the general election on 15 November 2023, violence and arrests surged. As opposition groups intensified their activities to demand transparent and fair elections, the government's crackdown grew more severe. By the end of 2023, four more people had been killed in protest-related violence, and over 5,330 individuals were arrested, according to local reports and human rights organizations.[11]
The protest began in June 2024, in response to the Supreme Court of Bangladeshreinstating a 30% quota for descendants of freedom fighters, reversing the government decision made in response to the 2018 Bangladesh quota reform movement. Students began to feel like they have a limited opportunity based on merit. The protest quickly spread throughout the entire country because of the government's violent response, as well as growing public dissatisfaction against an oppressive government. The situation was further complicated by many other ongoing issues, like the government's inability to manage a prolonged economic downturn, reports of rampant corruption and human rights violations, and the absence of democratic channels for initiating changes.[25][26][27][28]
The government sought to suppress the protests by shutting down all educational institutions. They deployed their student wing, the Chhatra League, along with other factions of the Awami League party. These groups resorted to using firearms and sharp weapons against the demonstrators.[d] The government then deployed Police, RAB, BGB and other armed forces, declaring a nationwide shoot-at-sight curfew[e] amid an unprecedented government-ordered nationwide internet and mobile connectivity blackout that effectively isolated Bangladesh from the rest of the world.[f] Later, the government also blocked social media in Bangladesh.[37] As of August 2, there were 215 confirmed deaths, more than 20,000 injuries,[38][39] and more than 11,000 arrests.[g] The unofficial death toll is between 300 and 500.[44] UNICEF reported that at least 32 children were killed during July's protests, with many more injured and detained.[45][46] Determining the exact number of deaths has been difficult because the government reportedly restricted hospitals from sharing information with the media without police permission, hospital CCTV footage was confiscated, and numerous individuals with gunshot wounds were buried without identification.[47][48][49]
The Awami League government and Prime MinisterSheikh Hasina have suggested that political opponents have co-opted the protest.[50][51] Despite the curfew restrictions the movement remained ongoing as it expanded its demands to include accountability for violence, a ban on the student wing of the government Chhatra League, and resignation of certain government officials,[52] including the resignation of Prime Minister Hasina.[53] The government's use of widespread violence against the general public turned the student protest into a people's uprising known as the non-cooperation movement.[h]
On 3 August 2024, coordinators of the Anti-discrimination Students Movement announced a one-point demand for the resignation of the Prime Minister and her cabinet and called for "comprehensive non-cooperation".[59][63] The following day, violent clashes broke out, resulting in the deaths of 97 people, including students. The coordinators called for a long march to Dhaka to force Hasina out of power on 5 August. That day, a large crowd of protesters made its way through the capital.[64] At around 3:00 p.m. (UTC+6), Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled to India, her government's biggest ally.[65] Widespread celebrations and violence occurred following her removal, while the military and President Mohammed Shahabuddin announced the formation of an interim government led by economist and Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus.[66] Meanwhile, Indian media outlets were seen engaging in a widespread disinformation campaign aimed at destabilising Bangladesh, following Hasina's resignation and departure to India.[67][68]
The protests' goals were finally achieved with the resignation of Hasina in the non-cooperation movement on 5 August 2024,[69] when an estimated 5 million people marched towards Shahbag Square in Dhaka, demanding the resignation of Sheikh Hasina. At around 15:00 local time, protesters were able to successfully raid the Ganabhaban, the residence of the Prime Minister. Hasina has since resigned and fled Bangladesh.[70][71]
^Preliminary Analysis of Recent Protests and Unrest in Bangladesh (Report). Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. 2024-08-16. pp. 6–7. According to available public reports by media and the protest movement itself, between 16 July and 11 August, more than 600 people were killed. Of these, nearly 400 deaths were reported from 16 July to 4 August, while around 250 people were reportedly killed following the new wave of protests between 5 and 6 August. [...] The reported death toll is likely an underestimate, as information collection has been hindered by restrictions on movement due to the curfew and the internet shutdown. Furthermore, hospitals were reportedly prevented by State authorities from providing details of those killed and injured. The majority of deaths and injuries have been attributed to the security forces and the student wing affiliated with the Awami League.