12 July 2024: As protests gain momentum, government threatens a hardline stance
Hundreds of students converged at Dhaka’s Shahbagh intersection, reviving the anti-quota movement with a symbolic blockade and nationwide campus protests following police assault and attacks by ruling party activists
At approximately 5:20pm on 12 July 2024, anti-quota demonstrators — comprising university students and public service job aspirants — blocked Dhaka's Shahbagh intersection, renewing their call for reforms to the government job quota system and protesting police crackdowns on similar protests held outside the capital.
"You shouldn't be out on the streets for no reason. Your main task is to pursue your education… I trust you will use your own judgment and return to classes," Anisul Huq, then-law minister said on the day.
"Compliance with court orders is mandatory. Any activities that breach law and order will not be tolerated," said Habibur Rahman, then-DMP commissioner, hinting at the AL government's intention to take a hardline stance against protesters.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Earlier, around 5pm, students, under the banner of Students Against Discrimination, began a rally in front of the Dhaka University Central Library.
Students marched towards Shahbagh, and were later joined by students from Dhaka College. The protesters took up positions at the intersection with banners and slogans, demanding both the cancellation of the government job quota system and the reinstatement of the 2018 circular which previously reformed it.
The protest at Shahbagh was part of broader demonstrations held across campuses nationwide on the day, in response to incidents the previous day when police clashed with demonstrators in various locations. In Cumilla, police reportedly fired blank shots to disperse protesters.
Elsewhere, while students were protesting at Cumilla Victoria College, a group of Chhatra League members launched an attack on the protesters. During the situation, a student who was recording a video was taken to a hall and beaten by the Chhatra League members.
Protesters at Shahbagh declared via loudspeaker that the blockade would be brief and symbolic. As of 5:30pm, they continued occupying the road, chanting slogans against the quota system and police violence. A large contingent of police officers was stationed beneath the Shahbagh metro rail station but did not intervene.
On the previous day, 11 July (Thursday), the fourth consecutive day of the 'Bangla Blockade' programme had seen confrontations in several regions. Demonstrators claim police assaults were unprovoked and aim to intimidate legitimate demands for justice and reform.
Late Thursday night, protest coordinator Nahid Islam addressed a gathering in Shahbagh, announcing that Friday's programmes would include processions and rallies across universities and colleges throughout the country to protest the police attacks and demand justice.
