6 July 2024: Nationwide ‘Bangla Blockade’ announced
In the afternoon, protesters blocked the Shahbagh intersection for almost an hour. After that, Nahid Islam announced ‘Bangla Blockade’ to take place across the country at 3:00 pm the next day
Students called for a nationwide blockade of roads and highways on 6 July 2024, demanding the abolition of the quota system in government jobs. They named the protest program 'Bangla Blockade'. In addition, classes and examinations at all universities and colleges were boycotted.
This announcement was made by the protesters at Shahbagh, following a pre-scheduled demonstration. Under the banner of 'Anti-Discrimination Student Movement', the protesters blocked the Shahbagh intersection for nearly an hour. They declared that they would not return to classrooms until their demand for quota abolition is met.
As part of their scheduled program, anti-quota demonstrators held protests on the campuses of several universities and colleges, including Dhaka University, Jahangirnagar University, Rajshahi University, Jagannath University, and Khulna University. They also blocked highways in Tangail, Rajshahi, Rangpur, and Kushtia, as well as roads at Tatibazar in Dhaka and in Khulna.
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Around 3:15 pm, several thousand students began a march from in front of the Dhaka University Central Library. The procession passed through various roads, entered the BUET campus, and moved through Palashi and Azimpur areas before reaching the Shahbagh intersection via the Dhaka University campus. From around 4:45 pm, the protesters blocked the Shahbagh intersection for nearly an hour.
The government is irresponsibly placing students and the judiciary in a confrontational position. The executive branch cannot evade its responsibility. In 2018, the Prime Minister said there would be no quota. So why has it returned? Why are students being deceived? If necessary, we will organise a general strike. This is not just a student movement. Teachers and parents must also join the cause.
Some chants during the protest translate: "One point, one demand — quota must not come back," "No quota, only merit," "The weapon of youth must roar once again," and "Down with the quota system, let the meritorious be free."
A large number of police officers were stationed on one side of the street during the protest. Due to the blockade, all types of vehicular movement at Shahbagh came to a halt, causing severe traffic congestion and immense suffering for commuters.
Before lifting the blockade, Nahid Islam, then coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, announced that the 'Bangla Blockade' would take place nationwide the following day (7 July) at 3:00 pm. In Dhaka, students from various universities and colleges will take to the streets at key locations such as Shahbagh, Science Lab, Chankharpul, Nilkhet, and Motijheel. Outside Dhaka, students will block highways in different districts and university areas.
Nahid Islam further stated that the government is irresponsibly placing students and the judiciary in a confrontational position.
"The executive branch cannot evade its responsibility. In 2018, the Prime Minister said there would be no quota. So why has it returned? Why are students being deceived? If necessary, we will organise a general strike. This is not just a student movement. Teachers and parents must also join the cause," he said.
Meanwhile, many leaders and activists of the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) stayed at Modhur Canteen from the beginning to the end of the protest programme near the Dhaka University Central Library.
Allegedly, BCL leaders tore down banners and obstructed demonstrators in different university halls.
When asked about the allegations, BCL president Saddam Hossain told Prothom Alo that the organisation had instructed its leaders and activists to behave with tolerance and responsibility. "There is no scope for our members to be involved in such acts," he said.
