Dhaka, August 1 (V7N) – A year has passed since the student-led quota reform protests in Bangladesh turned deadly, prompting widespread concern over human rights, political freedom, and state violence.
 
On the first anniversary of the July 2024 student uprising in Bangladesh, the organization Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir, with full support from Simon Industrial Group, held a commemorative event to reflect on the events of that month, which saw a violent crackdown on students protesting perceived discrimination in government recruitment quotas.
 
The original protests were led primarily by students opposing a system they claimed was unjustly biased and exclusionary. On the day now marked by many as a symbol of resistance, security forces allegedly opened fire on unarmed demonstrators, resulting in multiple deaths and injuries. Rights organizations at the time expressed serious concern about the use of force and called for accountability.
 
Over the past sixteen years, opposition groups have frequently accused successive governments of political suppression, enforced disappearances, and extrajudicial actions against dissidents. The events of July 2024 have become a focal point for those critical of the political climate, with many claiming it reflected a broader trend of intolerance toward peaceful protest and opposition voices.
 
This year’s observance aimed to educate the new generation about that turbulent period and to keep alive the memory of those who were killed or injured. Speakers emphasized the importance of peaceful activism, transparency, and the need for inclusive governance. They also urged the government to initiate an independent investigation into the violence of July 2024 and to ensure such incidents are never repeated.
 
Attendees included students, civil society members, former activists, and families of those affected. The event concluded with a call for unity across political lines and a renewed commitment to justice, equality, and democratic freedoms in Bangladesh.
 
This commemoration adds to the growing historical record of student-led political action in Bangladesh, a country where student movements have often played pivotal roles in shaping national discourse and demanding reform.
 
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