On 3 August 2024, while student blood stained the streets, then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced that the gates of Ganabhaban were open for dialogue with protesting students. But the students did not fall for what they called a trap. Instead, they declared a single-point demand: the resignation of Sheikh Hasina.From the steps of the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka, leaders of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement (বৈষম্যবিরোধী ছাত্র আন্দোলন) announced this demand before a massive crowd. The entire area—Shaheed Minar and the adjoining streets—was overflowing with people from all walks of life, defying the rain. A unified chant echoed throughout: one demand, one goal—government must go.
Nahid Islam, one of the movement’s chief coordinators, formally rejected Hasina’s call for talks around 5 PM and announced the one-point movement.Earlier that day, Hasina met with central leaders of the Professional Coordination Council at Ganabhaban and said, “Ganabhaban’s doors are open. I want to sit with the protesting students and hear them out. I don’t want any conflict.”Rejecting her proposal, Nahid stated, “We have reached a unanimous decision for one single demand—to ensure people’s safety and justice in society, the resignation of Sheikh Hasina and the fall of her fascist regime.”
The protest site was charged with slogans such as:“আমার ভাই কবরে, খুনি কেন বাইরে?”,“Justice! Justice! We want justice!”,“দিয়েছি তো রক্ত, আরও দেব রক্ত”,“স্বৈরাচারের গদিতে আগুন জ্বালো একসাথে”,“বুকের ভেতর অনেক ঝড়, বুক পেতেছি, গুলি কর”,“পদত্যাগ! পদত্যাগ! শেখ হাসিনার পদত্যাগ!”In memory of student Mir Mahfuzur Rahman Mughda, who was shot dead on 18 July, students distributed free water while chanting “পানি লাগবে, পানি লাগবে”—a reference to his final cry. Even rickshaw-pullers joined the protest near Shaheed Minar, chanting “রক্তের বন্যায়, ভেসে যাবে অন্যায়” and demanding justice for all the killings and abductions during the movement.
Syeda Rizwana Hasan, then Chief Executive of BELA and now an advisor to the interim government, said, “The one-point demand was born from the deep public outrage. People have been shot in the chest. It’s natural that the entire nation is standing beside the students. Such regimes are only brought down by public uprising.”
In response to media queries, then-Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan claimed, “The protesters are no longer just students; they’ve turned political. If someone attacks you, would you not defend yourself? Law enforcement has the right to self-defense.” He denied any police involvement in protester deaths, even when reminded about journalists who were shot.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir remarked that the student movement had sparked a mass awakening and that the movement was now nearing victory.
That day in Chattogram, protesters attacked the residence of then-Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury and set fire to two vehicles. The office of then-MP Mahiuddin Bachchu at Lalkhan Bazar also came under attack.
From the Shaheed Minar rally, Asif Mahmud, another top coordinator, declared a program of total non-cooperation with 15 specific demands. These included a boycott of all taxes and utility payments, a shutdown of offices and industries, and an indefinite closure of educational institutions. Expatriates were urged to withhold remittances through official banking channels.
Meanwhile, Army Chief General Waqar-uz-Zaman addressed officers at the Army Headquarters’ Helmet Auditorium, assuring that the army would always stand by the people and the nation in times of need.
AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader accused cyber terrorists on social media of spreading disinformation and warned of conspiracies aimed at turning Bangladesh into a failed state.
At the same time, Hasina promised justice for all deaths related to the quota reform protests. In reaction, Professor Anu Muhammad told The Daily Star, “How can the killer conduct the trial of their own crimes?”
Protests and blockades broke out across Dhaka—Badda, Rampura, Banasree, Science Lab, Mirpur—and students seized control of key intersections.
Demonstrations also spread nationwide, cutting off Dhaka from the rest of the country.
In Cumilla, at least seven protesters were shot when ruling party activists allegedly opened fire near the Police Lines area. In Chattogram, protesters attacked the Lohagara police station. One protester was killed during clashes with police in Gazipur’s Sripur. Police fired rubber bullets and tear gas in Bogura, while violent clashes also erupted in Sylhet’s Chowhatta area. Despite the rain, students marched in Chandpur and Kushtia. In Narayanganj, students blocked main roads after their demonstrations.
Artists, bands, lyricists, and composers also joined in with solidarity rallies, aligning their voice with the anti-discrimination student movement.
