On July 31, 2024, thousands across Bangladesh took to the streets for the ‘March for Justice’—a nationwide protest that defied police blockades and marked a turning point in the student-led uprising that ultimately brought down Sheikh Hasina’s authoritarian regime just days later.
What began as a demand for quota reform had, by then, transformed into a broader call for justice, accountability, and freedom. The movement, led by students under the Anti-Discrimination Student banner, turned court premises and public squares into platforms of resistance, even as police cracked down with batons, tear gas, and sound grenades.
Despite violent suppression, the spirit of protest did not break.
In Dhaka, demonstrators gathered near the High Court shrine gate. When police detained several protesters around 12:30 p.m., others sat down in defiance, chanting for hours. Teachers and lawyers joined in solidarity. When another group was blocked from entering the court, they regrouped at Doel Chattar, later marching to Shaheed Minar for a rally.
At Jahangirnagar University, students and faculty united at Mahua Chattar with placards, chants, and a signature campaign, while in Sylhet, police used force to break up student protests, injuring at least 20.
Across the country, over 100 protesters were arrested and 90 injured, including journalists. The regime’s response underscored what many had long alleged—systemic repression, arbitrary detentions, and human rights abuses.
That same day, two factions of the Supreme Court Bar Association held opposing press conferences, exposing growing divisions in the legal community. International reactions quickly followed. The European Union postponed partnership talks, and the UN Human Rights Office condemned the violence. U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Cory Booker expressed grave concern, while India’s High Commissioner met with Hasina, who claimed the protesters were trying to “replicate Sri Lanka.”
Inside Bangladesh, panic rippled through the ruling class. Ministers and MPs began fleeing the country. Airlines saw a spike in one-way bookings to destinations like the UK, Canada, and Singapore. By the end of the day, over 10,700 arrests had been made nationwide—341 in just 18 hours.
Even social media wasn’t spared. Platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and WhatsApp were briefly blocked, only coming back online after 3 p.m.
A sudden shift in the power structure followed. DB Chief Md Harun-or-Rashid was removed from his post, and a new head was appointed amid mounting criticism.
The day ended not with silence, but with resolve. Student leaders announced “Remembering Our Heroes” for August 1—a day of grief and tribute. Families of the dead and injured would share their stories. Walls would be filled with portraits, graffiti, and poetry. The struggle would not be forgotten.
For many, July 31 wasn’t just a protest. It was a stand for dignity. A cry for justice. And the beginning of the end for a regime that had long overstayed its welcome.