Protests demanding quota reforms erupted across Bangladesh on Monday, including in Dhaka and Chattogram. The Daily Star reported that law enforcement dispersed protesters in many areas and detained at least 80 individuals.
In Dhaka, students from various universities and colleges protested against the detention of six coordinators by the Detective Branch of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police. The detainees were reportedly pressured to issue a statement calling for an end to the protests.
In Chattogram, police detained at least 10 students after breaking up a protest involving around 100 students in the Jamal Khan area. Witnesses noted that a large police presence, including Border Guard Bangladesh, Bangladesh’s Armed Police Battalion, and army personnel, was deployed at Cheragi intersection where students gathered for a rally around 3 pm local time. Tensions escalated when 100-150 members of the Jubo League and Chhatra League, led by Chattogram City Corporation Ward-21 Councillor Saibal Das Sumon, arrived and verbally abused the protesters. The confrontation turned physical when Jubo League and Chhatra League members beat two students and handed them over to the police. When other students attempted to free the detainees, the police used truncheons. Protesters then moved to Kadam Mubarak mosque and chanted slogans.
At approximately 4 pm local time, police fired stun grenades and tear gas at the protesters, resulting in injuries to three police personnel and a journalist. Later, another group of protesters threw bricks at police near Andarkilla Shahi Jame Masjid at around 5 pm, prompting law enforcement to fire rubber bullets and more tear gas.
Deputy Commissioner (South) of Chattogram Metropolitan Police, Mostafizur Rahman, stated that police actions were taken due to a ban on gatherings and protests during the curfew. At least 70 people were detained across various areas in Dhaka.
On Sunday, Abdul Kader, a coordinator of the quota reform protests, announced via social media that demonstrations would be held at eight locations in Dhaka, including Science Lab, Gate-8 of North South University, Jatiya Press Club, BNS Centre in Uttara, Mirpur-10, ECB Chattar in Mirpur, Rampura, and Mohakhali.
Police detained at least 10 protesters from the Mirpur-10 intersection, two from Purana Paltan, 10 from Uttara, 10 from in front of Star Kabab in Dhanmondi, and six from Badda. Security staff at a private university in Bashundhara Residential Area reported that students were gathered in front of gates 1, 2, and 5 since 10 am. Police detained at least 15 students and transported them in three police vans by 1:30 pm.
At Jahangirnagar University, students protested for the unconditional release of the detained coordinators, with several teachers expressing solidarity. At Rajshahi University, several hundred students blocked the Dhaka-Rajshahi highway from 12:20 pm to 1:00 pm, demanding justice for the detained coordinators and accountability for recent student deaths.
In Barishal, around 15 students were injured after allegedly being attacked by Chhatra League activists near the university’s administrative building. Students from Government Brojomohun (BM) College also protested in Nathullabad Central Bus Terminal area.
In Noakhali, students blocked the Dhaka-Noakhali highway in front of Noakhali Zilla School from 2 pm for three hours. In Thakurgaon, more than 200 students marched with black flags calling for justice for recent student killings.
Police broke up a demonstration by students in Firoz-Jahangir Chattar, Mymensingh. Pro-Awami League individuals stopped about 60 Comilla University students from advancing towards the Dhaka-Chattogram highway, leading to protests outside the university later in the afternoon.
At Shahjalal University of Science and Technology in Sylhet, students protested at the main entrance and later held a procession. A planned stage rally by the cultural platform Bangladesh Udichi Shilpigosthi in front of the Jatiya Press Club was thwarted by law enforcement.
Some quota reform coordinators have rejected the government’s call for nationwide mourning for those killed in recent violence. Instead, they urged students and the public to cover their faces with red cloth and share their photos online. The announcement, made by Mahin Sarker, a coordinator of the Anti-Discriminatory Student Movement, called on the government to address their nine-point demands and restore stability.
The demands include apologies from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and resignations from Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury, Law Minister Anisul Huq, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat, and State Minister for Post, Telecommunications, and Information Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak.
