In mid-July, what began as students protesting against a quota system in public jobs escalated into a widespread anti-government movement that ultimately led to Sheikh Hasina’s resignation and departure from the country. Behind the statistics and headlines were countless stories of bravery and pain. Many students faced arrests, injuries, and academic repercussions for participating in the movement. Yet, their resolve remained unshaken.
We interviewed students from various universities in Bangladesh and abroad who participated in the protests and assisted in connecting with the international media, especially during an internet blackout in Bangladesh; also asked about the support they received from locals. I also inquired about their potential role in the future as a Bangladeshi.
Istiak Ahmed, a BBA final-year student at North South University (NSU), vividly recalls the day police began beating students with sticks. “Police killed our brothers, and the government did not take any steps. That’s the first motivation for my quota reform movement. As a private university student, I wasn’t initially concerned about the quota system for public jobs. Still, when the police and Chhatra league attacked our brothers of public universities, we all came forward to protect them and blocked the Bashundhara-Kuril highway. On 29 July when we gathered as a group at NSU 8 no gate, the police arrived in vans and began arresting students. They also started beating students with sticks. The police attempted to apprehend an IUB student, but a few students and I intervened and saved him. In retaliation, the police began hitting us with sticks. I managed to return home later safely”, he recounts.
Tasfia Hassan, a freshman at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, felt compelled to support the movement from abroad. “I couldn’t stand seeing my friends and classmates getting hurt. I felt so powerless not being able to be there in person. So, I turned to social media as the only way to help. As an international student from Bangladesh studying in the US, a few Bangladeshi students notified our designated school official (DSO) about the situation. On 18 July, we organised a gathering on campus to stand in solidarity with the students in Bangladesh. Even though we were few, we felt that this step was necessary. The darkest part of the movement was the five days starting from 18 July, when the internet was completely shut down in Bangladesh. Those five days felt like an endless nightmare. I continuously raised my voice on social media to bring attention to the complete shutdown of the internet in Bangladesh, sharing what was happening to get international media coverage,” she shares.
MD Arafat Hossain, a BBA student at NSU, endured multiple tear gas shells and rubber bullets but continued protesting. “On the day Sheikh Hasina referred to us as ‘rajakars,’ I felt compelled to join the protests to counter her hateful rhetoric. I used Facebook, Instagram, and other channels to raise awareness and inform people about what was happening in our country. As an A-level student, my involvement in the 2018 road safety protests showed me the importance of standing up for what is right, even if it meant going against my parent’s wishes. I participated in the protests near Jamuna on the 17th and supported BRAC students involved in the Canadian University incident on the 18th. I endured multiple tear gas shells and rubber bullets but continued protesting. On that same day, a live bullet grazed my nose and hit the person next to me, who was immediately taken to the hospital. I also participated in the Shahbagh protests, where the one-point movement was announced, ultimately leading to Hasina’s resignation on the 5th,” he recalls.
Anirban Saha, a second-year student at Dhaka City College (DCC), recalls the moment he confronted police officers after witnessing the death of his classmate. “On 18 July, when they attacked our college area and shot my classmate, I couldn’t help but argue with all the anger I had; I argued with the police officers without fearing anything. They killed my brother, who was just protecting other students when they were open-firing. Since that day, I haven’t stopped going out on the streets untamed to stand up against the liars. Many rickshaw pullers used to offer us free rides and encourage us to continue the protest,” he says.
Meherun Nesa, a final-year student at Jahangirnagar University, recalls how a neighborhood family sheltered her and her friends during the protests and how a CNG driver safely transported them home. “I initially joined the peaceful protests with my peers, but the situation quickly escalated when BCL began brutally attacking us, and the police resorted to deadly violence, even shooting. I withstood tear gas daily, was struck by a stick, and was chased by the police. Amid the chaos, I hurriedly sought shelter in a nearby house, where the family offered us a haven,” she shares.
Many people supported the protesters during the movement. Some offered shelter in their homes, while others shared their phone numbers on Facebook as emergency contacts, encouraging protesters to reach out for help. A group of lawyers united to defend the students against unjust legal charges, providing their contact details to ensure accessible legal aid. During the blackout, when students could not reach out on social media for help, they didn’t give up. Instead, they directly contacted others through phone calls without fearing being tracked or raided. Neighbours and street vendors distributed food and water, and rickshaw pullers and CNG drivers offered free rides. This was especially important as many students were injured or fatally shot, requiring urgent transportation to safety or medical care. This collective and compassionate effort highlights that it wasn’t only the students protesting but also these people supporting them in any way they could throughout the movement.
Later, when asked about their potential role in the country’s future, the students said they see themselves as crucial in shaping Bangladesh’s future. They aim to sustain momentum through policy advocacy, systemic reforms for fairness, and grassroots movements for local empowerment.
The way students are already managing traffic in the absence of police on the streets, guarding their areas together at night, and cleaning the places- shows their resolve and dedication to contribute positively to their country. This underscores their commitment to building a more just and equitable Bangladesh in the future.