23 July: Govt issues 7% quota gazette, coordinators stand firm on four demands
The government believes that the gazette resolves the quota issue, but protest coordinators demand justice for the deaths
The government finally issued a gazette notification formalising a 7% quota in public service on 23 July 2024. It came in line with the Appellate Division's verdict: 5% for freedom fighters, 1% for indigenous communities, and 1% for persons with disabilities and third-gender individuals.
After a five-day shutdown, broadband internet was partially restored in several regions, though access to social media platforms remained restricted.
Former Law Minister Anisul Haque said, "I believe it was a movement for quota reform, which has now been implemented," adding that the government will ensure proper treatment for the injured students.
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Nahid Islam, key coordinator of Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, welcomed both the verdict and the gazette as a victory for protesters, but called for justice over the recent violence. "The movement will continue until those responsible for the deaths and injuries are held accountable," he said.
"I believe it was a movement for quota reform, which has now been implemented"
The coordinators gave the government another two-day ultimatum to meet their four 'urgent demands.' They stated that only once these four conditions are fulfilled will discussions be possible regarding their broader eight-point charter of demands.
Nahid Islam said, "The amount of bloodshed and the number of lives lost to reach this gazette is deeply unfortunate. We want answers. Only after our four urgent demands are fulfilled will a dialogue on the remaining eight points be possible."
"We never wanted quota reform to come at the cost of so much blood. We demand justice for all casualties. The movement will continue until justice is served for every death and injury."
Among the four urgent demands, the first one is to restore internet services completely. The second is to withdraw the curfew. The third demand is to remove law enforcement from university campuses. Students want a safe and supportive environment so that residential halls can reopen and they can return. The fourth and final demand is to ensure the safety and security of the movement's coordinators.
Another coordinator, Hasnat Abdullah, held the government responsible for the damage caused by violence and arson. "Those responsible for the killings of protesting students must be brought to justice as soon as possible," he said. The movement, which began in front of the Dhaka University library, should conclude there as well, he noted—provided that the government ensures a proper environment for it.
"We never wanted quota reform to come at the cost of so much blood. We demand justice for all casualties. The movement will continue until justice is served for every death and injury."
Meanwhile, Asif Mahmud, Abu Bakr Mojumder, and Rifat Rashid—three key coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement—had been missing since 18 July.
At a press conference, Asif's father, Md Billal Hossain, said, "After seeing the news about Asif's enforced disappearance in the newspaper, I came to Dhaka today from Cumilla and searched for him at the morgue of Dhaka Medical College. I couldn't find him. Now I have only one plea: I want to know Asif's whereabouts."
