Bangladesh protests (2022–2024) explained

The Bangladesh protests of 2022–24 were a series of anti-government demonstrations against the administration of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Initiated by the Bangladeshi opposition parties on 10 December 2022, the protests continued spite of the government crackdowns. Though initially low-level, with instances of vandalism in late 2023, the movement gained momentum in 2024.^[4] The protests became linked to the Student–People's uprising, as both shared similar objectives related to government accountability and systemic change. In July 2024, the unrest intensified and turned into a civil disinvestment movement, ultimately leading to Hasina's resignation and eventual exile from the country.

In December 2022, tens of thousands marched in Dhaka demanding the resignation of Sheikh Hasina.^[5] The protests were linked to rising commodity costs and inflation as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. More violence escalated during October and November 2023, resulting in the deaths of two people.

In June 2024, the Supreme Court announced that reinstated the pre-2018 quota system in government jobs, triggering massive quota reform protests due to limited opportunity based on merit. Violent suppression angered the public further, resulting in thousands more casualties and hundreds killed, the event known as July massacre. This lasted until the overthrow of Sheikh Hasina government.

Events

Initial phase

On 8 December 2022, significant unrest occurred as opposition parties, mainly the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), held a rally in Dhaka to demand free elections and the resignation of the government led by the Awami League. The government responded with a heavy crackdown. Hundreds of protesters were arrested, and clashes with the police resulted in the death of one protester.^{[6] [7]}

In January 2023, the opposition forces continued to mobilize in Dhaka. These rallies were primarily organized to protest the outcomes of the upcoming elections, demanding electoral reforms and the establishment of a caretaker government to ensure fair elections.^[8]

On 28 October 2023, Anti-Government protests escalated significantly in Dhaka and other areas. Two protesters were killed, and dozens were injured in violent clashes with law enforcement. Protests also spread to the Kishoreganj District, where tensions between protesters and the police were similarly high.^[9] During these demonstrations, a policeman was reported to have been beaten to death by a mob.^[10] Following the announcement of the general election on 15 November 2023, violence and arrests surged. As opposition groups intensified their activities to demand transparent and fair elections, the government's crackdown grew more severe. By the end of 2023, four more people had been killed in protest-related violence, and over 5,330 individuals were arrested, according to local reports and human rights organizations.^[11]

2024

One Point Movement

Outcomes

The protests' goals were finally achieved with the resignation of Hasina in the non-cooperation movement on 5 August 2024,^[12] when an estimated 5 million people marched towards Shahbag Square in Dhaka, demanding the resignation of Sheikh Hasina. At around 15:00 local time, protesters were able to successfully raid the Ganabhaban, the residence of the Prime Minister. Hasina has since resigned and fled Bangladesh.^{[13] [14]}

See also

• 2022–2023 food crises
• 2021–2023 global energy crisis
• 2013 Bangladesh violence
• 1990 Mass Uprising in Bangladesh

Notes and References

1. Preliminary Analysis of Recent Protests and Unrest in Bangladesh . 6–7 . . 2024-08-16 . According to available public reports by media and the protest movement itself, between 16 July and 11 August, more than 600 people were killed. Of these, nearly 400 deaths were reported from 16 July to 4 August, while around 250 people were reportedly killed following the new wave of protests between 5 and 6 August. [...] The reported death toll is likely an underestimate, as information collection has been hindered by restrictions on movement due to the curfew and the internet shutdown. Furthermore, hospitals were reportedly prevented by State authorities from providing details of those killed and injured. The majority of deaths and injuries have been attributed to the security forces and the student wing affiliated with the Awami League..
2. News: 2024-08-16 . UN report: Over 600 killed in Bangladesh between July 16 and Aug 11 . . UNB.
3. Web site: Over 1,000 died in Bangladesh protests that forced Hasina to resign .
4. Web site: Story . Inside . 11 December 2022 . What's behind antigovernment protests in Bangladesh? . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230425194122/https://www.aljazeera.com/program/inside-story/2022/12/11/whats-behind-anti-government-protests-in-bangladesh . 25 April 2023 . 11 December 2022 . . en.
5. Web site: Xiong . Vedika Sud,Yong . 11 December 2022 . Tens of thousands protest in Bangladesh to demand resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221211221037/https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/11/asia/bangladesh-protests-prime-minister-sheikh-hasina-intl-hnk/index.html . 11 December 2022 . 11 December 2022 . . en.
6. Web site: Mahmud . Faisal . Bangladesh opposition stages protests as it challenges PM Hasina . 2024-08-25 . . en.
7. Web site: 8 December 2022 . One Killed, Hundreds Arrested as Bangladesh Police Clamp Down on Opposition Rally . 13 December 2022 . News18 . en . 13 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221213232328/https://www.news18.com/news/world/one-killed-hundreds-arrested-as-bangladesh-police-clamp-down-on-opposition-rally-6566281.html . live .
8. Web site: Bangladesh opposition holds rally seeking PM Hasina's resignation . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230731083345/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/1/11/thousands-in-bangladesh-rally-in-anti-government-demonstrations . 31 July 2023 . 5 June 2023 . . en.
9. Web site: 31 October 2023 . Two killed in anti-government protests in Bangladesh . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231101011405/http://www.independent.co.uk/asia/south-asia/bangladesh-shooting-two-dead-bnp-protests-b2438948.html . 1 November 2023 . 1 November 2023 . . en.
10. News: 29 October 2023 . Opposition activists held over policeman's death in Bangladesh protest . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231101085340/https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/opposition-activists-held-over-policemans-death-bangladesh-protest-2023-10-29/ . 1 November 2023 . 1 November 2023 . . en.
11. Web site: Bangladesh opposition vows to continue protests despite 'autocratic' crackdown | Reuters . . 7 December 2023 . 7 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231207212349/https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/bangladesh-opposition-vows-continue-protests-despite-autocratic-crackdown-2023-11-29/ . live .
12. News: 5 August 2024 . Protesters storm Bangladesh PM Hasina's palace amid reports she has resigned and fled . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240805123134/https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/south-asia/bangladesh-army-chief-to-address-nation-as-fresh-protests-break-out . 5 August 2024 . 5 August 2024 . The Straits Times.
13. Web site: 5 August 2024 . Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina resigns, leaves the country: Reports . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240805094201/https://www.firstpost.com/world/bangladesh-protests-pm-sheikh-hasina-leaves-dhaka-for-safer-place-army-chiefs-addresses-nation-13801044.html . 5 August 2024 . 5 August 2024 . . en-us.
14. News: Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina has resigned and left the country, media reports say . 5 August 2024 . 5 August 2024 . South China Morning Post.