What began as a movement to reform the quota system in government jobs transformed into a one-point campaign to unseat the Sheikh Hasina government, a shift that became unmistakable on 3 August 2024.

Until 2 August, few expected the anti-discrimination student movement to evolve into a full-fledged campaign for regime change. However, at a mass rally at the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka on 3 August, leaders of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement formally announced a single demand: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation.

Addressing the rally, coordinator Nahid Islam said the government had lost all legitimacy to remain in office. He argued that Hasina’s resignation alone would not suffice and called for legal action over alleged killings, corruption and abuses committed during her tenure.

The movement also announced the “March to Dhaka” programme, initially scheduled for 6 August. Organisers later advanced the programme by one day and urged people across the country to converge on the capital on 5 August.

On 5 August, thousands of students and citizens defied the nationwide curfew and marched towards Dhaka. By midday, Sheikh Hasina had left the country for India aboard a military aircraft, ending more than 15 years in power.

As crowds entered Dhaka from different directions, the military repeatedly urged people to remain calm and announced that Army Chief Gen Waker-Uz-Zaman would address the nation.

After holding meetings with political leaders and other stakeholders, the army chief announced at a press conference around 4:00 pm that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had resigned. He also declared that an interim government would take charge.

The quota reform movement had intensified after police shot dead Begum Rokeya University student Abu Sayeed in Rangpur on 16 July. Although the Awami League government formed a judicial inquiry into the violence that occurred between 16 July and 21 July, it failed to contain the growing unrest.

By late July, the protests had spread well beyond Dhaka. On 1 August, student leaders announced nationwide prayer gatherings and protest marches for 2 August, setting the stage for the decisive final days.

2 August: Protests escalate

On 2 August, UNICEF expressed concern over the deaths of at least 32 children during violence linked to the quota protests.

The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement held nationwide marches that day, triggering clashes between protesters, police and Awami League supporters in Dhaka and elsewhere. Thousands gathered at the Central Shaheed Minar, joined by teachers, cultural activists, professionals and people from all walks of life.

The movement alleged that detectives had forced six coordinators, including Nahid Islam, to record videos withdrawing earlier protest programmes while they were in custody.

Later that day, organisers announced demonstrations for 3 August and a nationwide non-cooperation movement from 4 August. Teachers, guardians, cultural activists, civil society members and left-leaning political groups also staged a protest rally in Dhaka demanding justice for those killed, the release of detainees, withdrawal of the curfew and the reopening of educational institutions.

Authorities temporarily blocked Facebook and Telegram on mobile networks for about five hours.

That night, Sheikh Hasina met leaders of the 14-party alliance at Ganabhaban and instructed officials to hold talks with student coordinators to calm the situation.

3 August: One-point demand emerges

On 3 August, the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement declared its one-point demand for the government’s resignation and also called for the formation of a national government.

Sheikh Hasina invited protesters to talks, saying the doors of Ganabhaban remained open. Coordinator Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan rejected the proposal, saying there could be no dialogue amid shootings and violence.

Nahid Islam also declared through Telegram that the time for dialogue and seeking justice from the government had passed.

The same day, 22 US senators and members of Congress wrote to then-US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressing concern over the violence and human rights situation in Bangladesh.

Mass rallies took place at the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka and New Market in Chattogram, while demonstrations spread across Rangpur, Sylhet, Faridpur, Rajshahi, Bogura, Barishal, Narayanganj, Barguna, Sirajganj and Cumilla.

From the Shaheed Minar rally, Nahid Islam formally announced the one-point demand and called for an inclusive national government under a widely acceptable leadership.

The movement declared an indefinite nationwide non-cooperation programme from 4 August, while the Awami League announced counter-rallies. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir urged the government to resign in response to public demands.

Meanwhile, Gen Waker-Uz-Zaman met senior military officers and later reaffirmed through the Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate that the Bangladesh Army would stand by the people.

4 August: Violence intensifies

The non-cooperation movement entered its first full day on 4 August, with widespread clashes between protesters, police and Awami League supporters. Authorities shut down 4G mobile internet services.

More than 100 people died in violence across the country, including at least 18 in Sirajganj, where police said 13 officers lost their lives.

Former army chiefs and retired military officers urged authorities not to deploy the armed forces against civilians. Former army chief Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan called for troops to return to barracks and prepare for emergency situations instead.

The government warned of possible militant attacks and imposed an evening curfew across metropolitan cities, municipalities, industrial zones, district headquarters and upazila headquarters from 6:00 pm until further notice.

Sheikh Hasina described those involved in violence as terrorists rather than students and urged citizens to resist them.

Meanwhile, a network of university teachers outlined a proposal for an interim government after the Awami League administration.

At a large gathering in Shahbagh, the student movement announced the “March to Dhaka”. Organisers brought the programme forward from 6 August to 5 August, while coordinator Asif Mahmud called on people nationwide to join the march. Nahid Islam also urged students to form resistance committees in every district, upazila and neighbourhood.

5 August: Government falls

Despite the curfew, crowds poured into Dhaka from early morning on 5 August in response to the March to Dhaka call. Authorities again shut down broadband internet services and enforced a three-day public holiday that closed government offices, banks, courts and educational institutions.

Security forces deployed troops around key installations as clashes broke out in several parts of the capital, including Bakshibazar, Rampura-Banasree and Bashundhara.

Reports soon emerged that Sheikh Hasina had left Bangladesh for India. Reuters initially reported that she and her family departed by military helicopter, although it later became clear that a military aircraft flew them to India.

The ISPR announced that the army chief would address the nation at 2:00 pm Bangladesh time. After meeting leaders of the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami and other political figures, Gen Waker-Uz-Zaman confirmed at around 4:00 pm that Sheikh Hasina had resigned.

He announced plans to form an interim government and said the military would consult the president on the transition.

Later that night, then-President Mohammed Shahabuddin announced that an interim government would take office immediately, Parliament would be dissolved and fresh elections would follow.

Nahid Islam, however, said the student movement would present its own proposal for an interim national government within 24 hours and would support no administration outside its proposed framework.

The ISPR lifted the curfew from the morning of 6 August, bringing an end to the extraordinary restrictions that had marked the final days of the uprising.

According to official figures, security forces’ use of force and violence during the movement claimed more than 800 lives. The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights later estimated that about 1,400 people died during the July-August unrest.