July massacre

This article is about mass killing committed by the Fifth Hasina ministry in 2024. For the related movement, see 2024 Bangladesh quota reform movement.
July massacre
Part of 2024 Bangladesh quota reform movement and 2024 Non-cooperation movement
Absentee funeral prayer for the deceased protesters on the campus of the University of Dhaka, 17 July 2024
Native nameজুলাই গণহত্যা
LocationBangladesh
Date15 July 2024 – 5 August 2024
(2 weeks and 6 days)
Attack type
Massacre
Deaths1000+ (MHFW estimate)[1]
650+ (OHCHR estimate)[2]
Injured20,000+ (including children)[a]
Victims
  • Student protesters
  • Political opposition
  • Civilians
Perpetrator
Assailants
MotiveTo suppress the protests[21]

The July massacre[b] (Bengali: জুলাই গণহত্যা, romanized: Julāi Gôṇôhôtyā) was the violent suppression and mass killings during protests in Bangladesh from July 16 to August 5, 2024. Triggered by the reinstatement of a controversial quota system and widespread public dissatisfaction, the crackdown was carried out by the government led by the Awami League party, its affiliated groups such as the Chhatra League, and various law enforcement agencies.

In June 2024, the Bangladesh Supreme Court reinstated the quota system in government jobs, triggering the resurgence of the quota reform movement in early July. Following weeks of demonstrations, tensions escalated on July 15 after clashes between protesters and members of the Chhatra League. In the days that followed, law enforcement agencies, including the Police, RAB, and BGB, as well as members of the ruling party's student, youth and volunteer wings, were involved in violent confrontations with the protesters. These clashes resulted in numerous deaths, including among protesters, law enforcement personnel, party members, bystanders, and children. By early August, the violence had resulted in substantial casualties, with estimates of fatalities ranging from two hundred to one thousand, and thousands more reported injured.

Despite the significant loss of life, Hasina’s government denied responsibility, attributing the violence to other factors. The events of July 2024 have since been widely scrutinized, with varying views on their impact on Bangladesh's sociopolitical landscape.

  1. ^ "More than 1,000 killed in Bangladesh violence since July, health ministry chief says". Reuters. 29 August 2024.
  2. ^ Preliminary Analysis of Recent Protests and Unrest in Bangladesh (Report). Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. 2024-08-16. pp. 6–7. 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.
  3. ^ "রক্তাক্ত জুলাই' মুক্তির মন্দির সোপান তলে…". shohid.info (in Bengali).
  4. ^ "350 injured as BCL attacks quota protesters". New Age (Bangladesh). 16 July 2024. Archived from the original on 15 July 2024.
  5. ^ "Āhata 297 jana ḍhākā mēḍikēlē cikiṯsā nēna" আহত ২৯৭ জন ঢাকা মেডিকেলে চিকিৎসা নেন [297 injured people were treated at Dhaka Medical]. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 15 July 2024.
  6. ^ "Clash involving BCL, around 250 quota protesters injured". www.dailymessenger. 15 July 2024.
  7. ^ "Clash involving BCL, quota protesters leave around 250 injured". UNB. 15 July 2024.
  8. ^ "Bangladesh students clash in job quota protests, at least 100 injured". Reuters. 15 July 2024.
  9. ^ "At least 100 wounded as Bangladesh students protest government job quotas". Al Jazeera. 15 July 2024.
  10. ^ "More than 400 injured in Bangladesh job quota rally clashes". Barron's. 16 July 2024. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
  11. ^ "ফেনীতে শিক্ষার্থীদের বিক্ষোভে ছাত্রলীগের হামলা, পুলিশসহ আহত ২০". Jamuna TV (in Bengali). Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  12. ^ "মুন্সিগঞ্জে পুলিশের উপস্থিতিতে ছাত্রলীগের হামলা, আহত-৫". Jamuna TV (in Bengali). Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  13. ^ "Several injured as violent clashes erupt at Barishal University". The Business Standard. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  14. ^ "Quota reform movement: 21 injured receive treatment at DMCH". Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  15. ^ "ব্রাহ্মণবাড়িয়ায় শিক্ষার্থীদের সাথে ছাত্রলীগের সংঘর্ষ, ওসিসহ আহত ২০=". Jamuna TV (in Bengali). Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  16. ^ "Quota movement: 70 injured as clash breaks out in JU". Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  17. ^ "Violence erupts in Dhaka over quota protests; 50 injured". The Financial Express (Bangladesh). Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  18. ^ "Child among six shot during Shanir Akhra clash following police attack". BDNews24. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
  19. ^ "Protesting students take position in Dhaka's ECB Chhatar". Prothom Alo. 2 August 2024.
  20. ^ গুহ, উত্তম (1 September 2024). "'র' ও হাসিনার পরবর্তী পরিকল্পনা কী?". The Mirror Asia (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 1 September 2024. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
  21. ^ Parvez, Saimum (22 August 2024). What will come after the July massacre in Bangladesh?. East Asia Forum.
  22. ^ "Justice, legal accountability needed for July massacre". New Age. 6 August 2024.
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