Families of July Protest Victims Demand Law Advisor’s Resignation, Clash with Police in Dhaka
Dhaka, Aug 19: Families of those killed and injured in last year’s violent July demonstrations in Bangladesh took to the streets on Tuesday, demanding the resignation of Law Advisor Asif Nazrul of the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government.
The demonstrators began at the National Press Club before marching to the Secretariat, where they staged a sit-in that caused massive traffic snarls across central Dhaka.
Protesters Chant Slogans Against Government
Carrying placards and raising slogans, the protestors chanted:
- “Resignation, resignation, Asif Nazrul’s resignation”
- “One point, one demand, Asif Nazrul’s resignation”
- “Murderers roam outside, what is the judiciary doing?”
- “My brother is in the grave, why is the murderer outside?”
Their anger stemmed from what they described as the government’s failure to deliver justice to families a year after the July student movement that shook Bangladesh’s political foundations.
Families Speak Out: “Government Mocking Justice”
Bulbul Karim, father of one of the deceased, accused the authorities of negligence.
“Even after a year, we have not received justice for the murder of my child. The government is mocking justice. We see the accused getting bail in exchange for money, yet the law advisor is unable to take any action,” he told Dhaka Tribune.
Aminul Islam, who was himself injured in the 2024 protests, warned of renewed agitation:
“If the July injured take to the streets again, the consequences will not be good. The families of the deceased and the injured fear no one. The government must keep this in mind.”
Police Confrontation Turns Tense
As the marchers approached the Secretariat, police formed blockades, leading to scuffles with the demonstrators. Several family members alleged that they were mistreated.
Safat Siddiqui, mother of slain student Ahnaf, broke down while speaking to media.
“The police hurled abusive language at us — I cannot even repeat what they said. I was kicked by the police. We came here with a just demand.”
Police officials, however, defended their actions.
Deputy Commissioner of Ramna Division Police, Masud Alam, said:
“The families’ demands will be forwarded to the authorities, but the blockade created trouble for the public.”
Background: July Protests That Changed Bangladesh
The demonstrations recall last July’s massive student-led protests demanding reforms in the government’s job quota system. The protests escalated into violence, leaving dozens dead and hundreds injured.
The movement ultimately forced the resignation of Sheikh Hasina, the long-serving Prime Minister and Awami League leader, in August 2024. Her ouster was seen internationally as a major democratic setback, ushering in an interim administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus.
Since then, the country has witnessed repeated protests, growing lawlessness, and a deepening crisis of legitimacy for the caretaker government.
Why This Matters
The fresh protests highlight three critical challenges for Bangladesh today:
- Justice for Victims: Families allege powerful individuals implicated in last year’s violence remain free.
- Credibility of Interim Government: Demands for Law Advisor Asif Nazrul’s resignation put pressure on the Yunus administration already struggling with public unrest.
- Fragile Democracy: The episode reflects ongoing uncertainty in Bangladesh’s political transition since Hasina’s ouster.
Final Thoughts from TheTrendingPeople.com
The anger of families who lost loved ones in last year’s protests underscores Bangladesh’s unfinished reckoning with justice. As clashes with police intensify, the Yunus-led interim government faces growing disillusionment among citizens.
What began as a demand for fair jobs has now spiraled into a broader crisis of accountability and governance. For Bangladesh, the path back to stability depends on whether the interim regime can genuinely deliver justice—or whether anger on the streets will once again dictate political outcomes.