Md. Rezaul karim Razu,Staff Reporter,Dhaka:

July 15, 2024 — a day now marked in red in Bangladesh’s history — witnessed one of the most coordinated crackdowns on student activism in recent times. On that day, members of the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), the student wing of the ruling party, launched violent attacks on students across the country who were peacefully protesting to reform the public service quota system. What unfolded was a calculated assault on voices of dissent — one that left a lasting scar on the nation’s democratic conscience.

Background: The Quota Reform Movement

Bangladesh’s public service quota system has long been a subject of criticism. A significant portion of government jobs were reserved under various quotas, leaving merit-based candidates frustrated and marginalized. Though a similar anti-quota movement erupted in 2018, leading to some changes, many believed the reforms were superficial. In 2024, frustration reignited. Students began to rally under a simple demand: equal opportunity in the recruitment process for public jobs.

Their slogan was clear: “Merit, not privilege.”

The Attack of July 15

As the movement gained momentum, tension grew. On July 15, 2024, violence erupted.

At multiple campuses — including Dhaka University, Rajshahi University, Chittagong University, and others — BCL activists carried out planned assaults on demonstrators. Armed with rods, sticks, helmets, and in some cases, weapons, they targeted student protesters, especially those organizing or leading the movement.

Dhaka University’s TSC area turned into a battlefield. Female students were attacked. Journalists were beaten. Even hospital emergency units were reportedly stormed by ruling-party loyalists searching for injured protesters. Video footage circulated on social media showed police standing by passively — or in some instances, allegedly aiding the attackers.

National Outcry

Social media exploded with outrage.

Teachers, civil society groups, human rights organizations, and opposition political parties condemned the attacks.

Multiple universities declared indefinite closure.

International media began covering the story, amplifying pressure on the government.

Although the authorities initially denied the attacks, viral footage and survivor accounts painted a damning picture.
The Voice of a Generation

What began as a movement for reforming quotas became a larger symbol of resistance — against state repression, partisan politics on campuses, and the erosion of civil liberties. July 15 ignited a political awakening among a new generation of students and youth. Many compared it to the 2018 quota reform protests and the Safe Roads Movement, calling it a new wave of youth-led awakening in Bangladesh

Conclusion

July 15, 2024 was not just a day of violence. It became a turning point — a moment when a generation stood up against injustice, in the face of batons and bloodshed. The echoes of that day continue to resonate across campuses and communities. History will remember July not only for the attacks but for the courage that emerged in response. It was a day that shook Bangladesh — and awakened its conscience.