On a fateful day in 2024, Bangladesh was rocked by the tragic death of Abu Sayed, a bright and ambitious student from Rangpur's Begum Rokeya University. His death marked the beginning of a violent and tumultuous period in the nation’s history, with nearly 200 lives lost in the quota reform protests. The impact of Sayed’s death and the subsequent violence has profound implications for Bangladesh’s future.
A Dream Cut Short
Abu Sayed was the youngest of nine siblings in a family burdened by poverty. His elder brothers and sisters had to sacrifice their own education to ensure that Sayed could continue his studies. His admission to the English department at Begum Rokeya University was a beacon of hope for his family, especially for his father, Makbul Hossain, who was ill and bedridden. Sayed’s dream was to join the civil service, a position he believed could lift his family out of poverty.
Sayed's involvement in the quota reform protests stemmed from his desire to see a fair and merit-based system in place, which he hoped would increase his chances of success. However, this dream was brutally cut short when police bullets ended his life during a clash between protesters and law enforcers.
Sayed's peers rushed his bullet-hit body to Rangpur Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.
The news of Sayed’s death has left his family and community in shock and mourning. "Sayed was our only hope," his brother Ramjan told The Daily Star. The family’s hopes and dreams for a better future were shattered in an instant. Their village home in Babanpur, Rangpur, is now engulfed in grief and disbelief. Sayed's mother, Monowara Begum, has been plunged into a cycle of breakdowns and fainting spells, unable to cope with the loss of her youngest child.
Sayed's neighbor, Anwar Hossain, spoke of the young man's character, describing him as humble and gentle, and the brightest among his siblings. His death has deeply saddened the entire community, who had high hopes for Sayed’s future.
Just a day before his death, Sayed shared a poignant message on Facebook, expressing his readiness to sacrifice his life for the cause.
He posted a photo card of Professor Dr. Shamsuzzoha, a martyr from the 1969 student protests, writing, "Sir! We desperately need you right now, sir! Everyone of your generation has passed away, but you live on even after death. Your legacy is our inspiration. We are enlightened by your ideals."
Sayed's words resonate deeply, reflecting his commitment to justice and reform. His death has become a symbol of the sacrifices made by countless young Bangladeshis in their fight for a fairer society.
Gleefully Violent BCL Attackers
The unrest that followed Sayed's death culminated in a large-scale tragedy in Chattogram. On July 16th, a peaceful gathering of student protesters was met with gunfire from ruling Awami League and Chhatra League cadres, leaving three students dead. The city, which had started the day in its usual bustle, quickly turned into a battlefield. Eyewitnesses reported that reinforcements arrived from nearby schools and colleges to support the assaulted students, eventually forcing the ruling party assailants to retreat.
In a desperate plea, one of the cadres sent a video message to his patrons, begging for rescue. This cadre, along with others, was part of a group led by Helal Akbar Chowdhury Babar and Nurul Azim Rony, staunch associates of Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel, the country’s education minister and a Member of Parliament from a Chattogram constituency. The violence in Chattogram, fueled by the actions of these men, played a critical role in inflaming tensions and escalating the student protests into large-scale civil disorder.
Social media posts by Nurul Azim Rony revealed that men under his command had positioned themselves at the Sholoshahar Railway Station with large sticks to thwart the Anti-Discrimination Students Movement. Shortly after, Rony’s followers, along with other Jubo and Awami League men, attacked the protesters, opening fire as the students tried to mobilize.
Four men were seen pulling the trigger, including N H Mithu, a Chhatra League activist and follower of Rony.
Rony unapologetically took credit for the attack, declaring victory on social media and disparaging the protesters as "self-proclaimed razakars," a term historically used to label collaborators of the Pakistani military during Bangladesh’s Liberation War.
These well-publicized statements by Rony and Babar echoed the rhetoric of their patron, Education Minister Nowfel, who had also publicly disparaged the protesters.
A Sham Negotiation
Amid rising tensions, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina appointed Nowfel to negotiate with the protesters. However, his appointment was seen as insincere given his role in inciting violence. His ministry's warnings about special measures to ensure student safety only heightened fears of further brutality. The government's attempt to negotiate was further marred by reports of coercion, with at least one protest leader allegedly abducted and forced into negotiation.
The protesters' demand for accountability — to prosecute the Chhatra League goons and government officials involved in the violence — was essentially asking Nowfel to turn against his own allies. Unsurprisingly, the negotiations did not lead to any meaningful resolution, and the death toll continued to rise.
In a recent press conference, State Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Mohammad Arafat, attempted to shift the blame onto the protesters. He claimed, "Many of them are given drugs. They have been drugged so that they can come in front of the police to get their chests shot. We have been peacefully engaging with the students, discussed their demands and moved towards a peaceful solution. But is there no problem here? But we have to be strong to suppress the third party terrorists, Jamaat Shibir, militants. They are also putting fire to buildings across the nation."
Arafat's statements suggested that the protesters were under the influence of drugs and involved in violent activities, portraying them as aggressors rather than victims. He further insinuated that the clashes were a result of self-defense against militant attacks: "I would like to humbly say here that when you are attacked, what would the people who were inside and whose lives are in danger do when the militants attacked BTV? Will they be attacked and beaten to death, or will they fight back? When you fight back for self-defense, send police, send the BGB, and try to stop the attacker, then there will be a clash. There will be a clash."
This narrative attempts to justify the government's violent response and diverts attention from the accountability of state forces. It starkly contrasts with the government's handling of the 1990 movement against dictator Ershad, where only three people died, and he was forced to resign.
The current government's refusal to acknowledge the loss of nearly 200 lives, and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's failure to mention or show remorse for these deaths during a televised meeting with businessmen, highlights a troubling disregard for the lives lost and the demands for justice and reform.
A Growing Death Toll
The violence and unrest that began with the death of Abu Sayed have resulted in a growing list of casualties. By July 18th, at least 22 people had died, and as of now, the number has risen to 174, including:
- Sheikh Fahmin Zafar, 17, Uttara, Dhaka, Tongi Govt. College (18 July 2024)
- Shakil Pervez, Uttara, Dhaka, Manarat International University (18 July 2024)
- Farhan Faiyaz Ratul, 17, Dhanmondi 27, Dhaka, Dhaka Residential Model College (18 July 2024)
- Mehedi Hasan, Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Reporter, Dhaka Times (18 July 2024)
- Tahmid Tamim, 15, Narsingdi Sadar Upazila, Nasima Kadir Molla High School (18 July 2024)
- Junaid Hossain Adnan, Notre Dame College, Dhaka (15 July 2024)
- Asif Hasan, 20, Northern University, Dhaka (18 July 2024)
- Shahnewaj Fahad, East West University, Dhaka (18 July 2024)
- Sharif Hasan, Imperial College, Dhaka (18 July 2024)
- Tasauf Ul Alam, BRAC University, Dhaka (18 July 2024)
- Jahiduzzaman Tanvin, IUT (MCE 17), Gazipur (18 July 2024)
- Dipto Dey, 21, Madaripur Government College (18 July 2024)
- Shykh Aashhabul Yamin, Military Institute of Science and Technology (18 July 2024)
- Iqra, Narayanganj Govt. Mohila College (18 July 2024)
- Mir Mugdho Mahfuz, Bangladesh University of Professionals (18 July 2024)
- Md. Irfan Bhuiyan, CSE Student at United International University (18 July 2024)
- Mohammad Emad, HSC Student at Patiya Govt. College (18 July 2024)
- Imon Meah, 22, Govt. Shaheed Asad College (18 July 2024)
- Wasim Akrum, 3rd Year Hon’s Student, Chittagong College (16 July 2024)
- Nazmul, 20-22, Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Businessman (18 July 2024)
- Dulal Matbor, Farazi Hospital, Banarasi, Driver (18 July 2024)
- Iqbal, Dhaka (18 July 2024)
- Faisal Ahmed Shanto, 1st Year Hon’s Student, Omer Gani MES College (16 July 2024)
- Faruk, Employee at a Furniture Shop (16 July 2024)
- Monir, Science Lab, Dhaka (16 July 2024)
- Shahjahan, 25, In Front of Dhaka College, Hawker, New Market Area (16 July 2024)
- Imran, 25, Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Chef (18 July 2024)
- Jillur Sheikh, Aftabnagar, HSC 1st Year Student, Dhaka Imperial College (18 July 2024)
- Shakil Hasan, Reporter, Daily Vorer Awaj (18 July 2024)
- Shobuj Ali, Statistics Department, Dhaka College (16 July 2024)
- Shiraj, 35, Kuwait Bangladesh Friendship Govt. Hospital (18 July 2024)
- Jashim, 45, Kuwait Bangladesh Friendship Govt. Hospital (18 July 2024)
- Sabbir Hosen, 23, Employee at Organ Limited Care (18 July 2024)
- Abdul Gani, 45, Plumber (19 July 2024)
- Rasel, Rampura-Badda, Dhaka (19 July 2024)
- Rakib, 22, Merul Badda-Rampura Bridge, Electrician (19 July 2024)
Each name adds to the sorrow and anger that has gripped the nation, each death a stark reminder of the heavy price paid in the struggle for justice and reform.
Sayed's death and the violence that followed have exposed deep-seated issues within Bangladesh’s political and social systems. The lack of accountability and transparency has eroded public trust, and the government’s failure to address the legitimate concerns of the protesters has only deepened societal divisions.
The protests have highlighted the urgent need for reform, not just of the quota system but of the broader political and social structures. The government's heavy-handed response has shown that there is a need for a more inclusive and transparent approach to governance, one that listens to and respects the voices of all citizens.
A Call for Change
The death of Abu Sayed has become a catalyst for a broader movement for change in Bangladesh. His story shapes the country's future in the fight for justice and reform. His story, along with those of the 174 dead so far, demonstrates the strength and resilience of the Bangladeshi people in their fight for justice.
As Bangladesh moves forward, it is crucial that the government and civil society address the root causes of unrest through dialogue and understanding. Although the movement seems to be slowing down, it is not stagnant. Like a swinging pendulum, our efforts are in a strategic pause.
Some factions have given the government an ultimatum to restore the internet, indicating a desire for normalcy. However, there's a sizeable portion of Bangladeshis, including many Non-Resident Bangladeshis (NRBS) expect internet restoration to lead to mass protests.
We must remain vigilant and ready, inspired by the sacrifices of martyrs like Abu Sayed. By continuing our efforts, we can build a just and equitable society where the dreams of young people can be realized.
