The Peaceful Protest: Bangla Blockade

On June 5, 2024 HC ruled the executive order to be illegal, four days later the government challenged the rule by an appeal to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court gives a stay order on the HC ruling. Things start off slowly, after a month on July 4th the students start off with demonstrations at the University of Dhaka campus, and soon the movement takes over across major public universities of the country. They call for the “Bangla Blockade” where the protesters block major intersections and roads across the country. This goes on from July 7th to 11th. The coordinators don’t block on the weekends, the protest is totally peaceful up until then.

14th July, 2024

After the weekend on the first working day, the Prime Minister holds a press conference about her recent visit to China. In that press conference, two journalists asked her about the Quota Protests that have been going on in the streets. One of those questions was, “If you have two candidates, one is a grandchildren of the freedom fighter, and another a grandchildren of a Razakar, who should the PSC (Public Service Commission) give the job to?” in answer to that question, the PM gets emotional, and says “Who do you think should get the job? Obviously it’s not going to be the grandchild of the Razakar”. Her tone did stroke the wrong chords with the students, the students had flashbacks of Matia Chowdhury calling them “Children of Razakar” Back in 2018. The entirety of the University of Dhaka halls roar with the chants “Tumi ke ami ke? Rajakar. Rajakar. Ke bolechhe Ke bolecche? Shoirachar! Shoirachar!” meaning “Who am I? Who am I? Razakar Razakar. Who said it? Who said it? Dictator! Dictator!” This is the first time during her regime that Sheikh Hasina has been openly called a dictator by the regular people.