Amid ongoing unrest and nationwide repression, leaders of the student-led anti-discrimination movement declared a countrywide “March for Justice” to be held on July 31.
The announcement came late Tuesday night, with demands for accountability over mass killings, arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, and torture of students and civilians during the ongoing quota reform movement.
The announcement was made by Abdul Kader, a key coordinator of the movement, via Telegram at around 11:15pm. He called for simultaneous marches starting at 12:30pm on university campuses, court premises, and streets across the country. Kader urged people from all walks of life — including teachers, lawyers, rights activists, and professionals — to join the protest in solidarity. He also reiterated the students` nine-point demands, including an apology from then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and a UN-supervised investigation into the violence.
Earlier in the day, thousands of students and citizens observed a symbolic “Red Cloth Protest,” tying red fabric over their mouths and eyes to commemorate the victims of state violence. Social media platforms were flooded with red-themed profile frames, while silent marches were held by teachers at Rajshahi and Jahangirnagar Universities.
In contrast, ruling party supporters marked the National Mourning Day by wearing black badges, underlining a stark divide in public sentiment.
Meanwhile, demonstrators in Dhaka’s Gulistan area were met with police resistance during a protest rally featuring songs of dissent. At Purana Paltan, Left Democratic Alliance leaders demanded the government`s resignation over alleged repression and killings.
That evening, Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury announced a phased reopening of educational institutions, depending on the situation, and mentioned online classes as internet services had been partially restored.
Simultaneously, civil society members gathered at Dhaka Reporters` Unity under the banner “Demand for Justice Against Killing, Illegal Detentions and Torture.” They issued a 24-hour ultimatum demanding the unconditional release of six detained student coordinators and others held by the Detective Branch.
Dr Iftekharuzzaman, Executive Director of Transparency International Bangladesh, issued a strong warning about escalating protests if the detainees were not freed.
Responding to international pressure, then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina appealed to the United Nations and other global bodies to assist in a fair and impartial investigation into the violence. She visited Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital that afternoon to meet injured protesters and expressed her government’s intention to hold the perpetrators accountable.
Meanwhile, the Cabinet Division instructed all administrative levels — from city corporations to union councils — to form “anti-terrorism and sabotage prevention committees” to maintain law and order.
International condemnation mounted. Amnesty International Secretary General Agnes Callamard expressed grave concern in an open letter to Hasina, calling for justice and accountability. UN Secretary-General António Guterres cited credible evidence of excessive force and human rights abuses, expressing the UN’s willingness to intervene. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell also condemned the reported extrajudicial killings and the alleged "shoot-at-sight" orders issued during the protests.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir criticized the government for allegedly using the ban on Jamaat-e-Islami to distract from what he called state-orchestrated massacres.
By July 30, over 10,000 people had reportedly been arrested across the country, with 264 cases filed in Dhaka alone. The six student coordinators remained in DB custody for the fifth consecutive day, while mass arrests continued under the curfew.
That afternoon, a group of guardians, including members of Bangladesh Nari Mukti Kendra, attempted to hold a silent protest near Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Police forcefully dispersed the gathering.
As the July 31 “March for Justice” looms, tensions remain high, with the student-led movement showing no signs of retreat.
