SUMMARY

Widespread protests occurred in Bangladesh in July and August 2024 demanding the resignation of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. These protests, known as the ‘2024 Bangladesh Quota Reform Movement,’ were an initial response to the Supreme Court of Bangladesh reinstating the quota where 30% of government job entry positions are reserved for descendants of the 1971 “Freedom Fighters.” This quota had previously been rolled back under pressure of the 2018 Bangladesh Quota Reform Movement when students demanded government job entry positions would be based on merit.

When the Supreme Court reinstated the quota system, the 2024 movement – also known as the Anti-discrimination Students Movement – initially limited its demands to the quota system. However, when the protests turned violent due to clashes with the Supporters of Awami League’s youth wing, Chhatra League, and the police, students began demanding public apologies for the deaths of students, as well as resignation of key figures, and reimbursement for the families of casualties. When violence continued, the movement announced a non-Cooperation Movement on 3 August with a single demand: the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her cabinet. Their demands were met when, on 5 August, Sheikh Hasina fled to India.

Opponents of Hasina have been involved in the non-state category of UCDP organised violence.