On July 13 last year, student protesters demanding reform of the quota system in government jobs issued a 24-hour ultimatum for the withdrawal of police cases filed against them and announced a march towards Bangabhaban to submit a memorandum to the President.
At a press conference held in front of the Central Library of Dhaka University, the student coordinators declared that on July 14 at 11 am, they would begin a mass foot march involving students from Dhaka University, Jagannath University, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, DU-affiliated colleges, and other institutions in Dhaka.
Hasnat Abdullah, a key coordinator of the anti-discrimination student movement, said that students across the country would simultaneously march to their respective District Commissioners’ (DC) offices and submit the memorandum through them.
Nahid Islam, another central coordinator, demanded police withdraw the case filed at Shahbagh Police Station against unnamed individuals, challenging authorities to name those allegedly involved in causing damage. “If they believe we did anything wrong, they should name us instead of filing anonymous accusations,” he said.
In response to the growing movement, senior police officials and government leaders, including Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, warned students against road blockades, labeling their demands as inconsistent with the constitution and state policy.
The then Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal also urged the students to end their protests peacefully, while Harun-Ur-Rashid, then Additional Commissioner of DMP’s Detective Branch, warned of consequences if public life or property was harmed.
In contrast, BNP Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas expressed support for the student protesters, calling their demands “just” and accusing the government of using distraction tactics to weaken the movement.
The protests continued across the country. At Jahangirnagar University, students held outreach campaigns throughout the day. Later that evening, a new 38-member Coordination Committee was announced to lead the JU protests, comprising 24 coordinators and 14 assistant coordinators.
Meanwhile, in Rajbari, student demonstrators blocked the Dhaka-bound “Madhumati Express” train by staging a sit-in protest on railway tracks, as part of the national demonstration.
The student movement, which gained momentum under the banner of anti-discrimination and equality, continues to demand legislative reforms to the quota system through an emergency session of Parliament.
