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On July 12, 2024, a public holiday (Friday), students across Bangladesh continued their protests demanding the abolition of the quota system in government jobs. As part of their pre-announced programs, protesters organized rallies and demonstrations nationwide.
On the previous day, July 11 (Thursday), police obstructed the "Bangla Blockade" program led by the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, resulting in clashes with students in various parts of the country. Police used tear gas and batons, injuring nearly fifty students across different locations. In response to the police actions, the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement announced nationwide protest rallies and gatherings for Friday (July 12) afternoon. In Dhaka, the program at Shahbag was scheduled to begin at 4:00 PM but was delayed due to rain. Around 4:30 PM, students gathered in front of the Dhaka University Library, and by 5:00 PM, they held a protest rally at Shahbag. At around 5:45 PM, students from Dhaka College joined the rally. The protesters blocked the Shahbag intersection for over an hour. Before leaving Shahbag on Friday evening, Abu Baker Majumdar, a key coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, announced, "On Saturday (July 13), we will hold online and offline representative conferences in all 64 districts. At 6:00 PM, we will hold a press conference in front of the Dhaka University Library to announce our next steps. The government must address our one-point demand." Friday marked the 12th day of the movement, which began on July 1, demanding the abolition of discriminatory and irrational quotas in all grades of government job recruitment. On Friday night, a case was filed at Shahbag Police Station accusing protesters of vandalizing police vehicles, attacking police personnel, and assault. The case was filed by Khalilur Rahman, a driver from the Transport Department of Rajarbag Police Lines, naming unidentified individuals as accused. On the same day, students of Jagannath University held a protest rally on campus, starting at 4:30 PM from the Arts Building and circling the university’s main roads before concluding at the campus via Bahadur Shah Park and Kabi Nazrul College. Outside Dhaka, students protested in approximately 15 locations. However, in Manikganj, Chhatra League members obstructed students attempting to hold a human chain at Government Debendra College. In Rajshahi, students from Rajshahi University blocked the Dhaka-Rajshahi railway at around 5:00 PM near the Station Bazar. Students from Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology and Rajshahi Medical College also joined the protest. In Chattogram, students began a rally at 5:00 PM from Soloshahar Railway Station, joined by students from Chattogram University, its affiliated colleges, and other institutions, as well as job aspirants. The rally proceeded through 2 Number Gate, Chakbazar, Jamal Khan, and Kazir Dewri, ending at Almas Mor. At Jahangirnagar University, students held a torchlight procession at 6:45 PM, starting from the Central Library under the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement banner. In Sylhet, students from Shahjalal University of Science and Technology held a torchlight procession, while in Rangpur, Begum Rokeya University students organized a protest rally. When they attempted to take their rally outside the campus at 6:00 PM, police intervened. Students at Cumilla University also held a protest rally starting at 4:30 PM from the main road. In Mymensingh, students and job aspirants protested for quota reform, with demonstrations held by students from Anand Mohan College, Nasirabad College, Muminunnesa College, and other institutions. Students at the Islamic University in Kushtia and Gopalgonj University of Science and Technology also held rallies and gatherings. In Nilphamari’s Syedpur, students from various educational institutions formed a human chain. In Bogura, a rally started at 4:30 PM from Satmatha under the banner of general students. In Noakhali’s Maijdee, students from various institutions held a protest rally and gathering. Commenting on the protests, then-Law Minister Anisul Huq stated, “I cannot deny that the spirits of those who opposed Bangladesh’s independence and conspired to assassinate Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his family are involved in this conspiracy. The government’s duty is to protect people’s lives and property and address their concerns. If anyone disrupts this, action will be taken as per the law.” Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader remarked that the anti-quota movement was influenced by “anti-liberation forces and the spirit of the Liberation War.” Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Habibur Rahman said, “Everyone should have faith and respect for the judiciary. If anyone disrupts law and order in the name of the quota movement, action will be taken as per the law.”
