Bangladesh's July Uprising: A Nation's Struggle for Democracy and Justice
Bangladesh's July Uprising: A Nation's Struggle for Democracy and Justice
The July Uprising of 2024, also known as the July Revolution, was a pivotal moment in Bangladesh's history, marking the end of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's 16-year tenure and ushering in a new era of political transformation. Origins: Quota Reform Movement The unrest began in early June 2024 when the Bangladesh Supreme Court reinstated a controversial quota system in public sector jobs, reserving 30% of positions for descendants of 1971 Liberation War veterans. This decision reignited longstanding grievances among students and young professionals, who viewed the system as discriminatory and a barrier to merit-based employment . The Students Against Discrimination (SAD) group organized peaceful protests across universities, demanding reforms to the quota system. However, tensions escalated when police and ruling party affiliates, notably the Chhatra League, violently suppressed demonstrations, leading to widespread outrage . Escalation and the July Massacre Between July 16 and Augus…