July Uprising: Culmination of a 17-year Struggle

The July Uprising, often termed the ‘July Revolution’, marks a defining turning point in the nation’s history. Rather than a sudden eruption, it was the result of nearly 17 years of sustained resistance against Sheikh Hasina’s authoritarian rule.

This protracted struggle laid the foundation for the mass uprising. Therefore, the July Uprising must be understood as the culmination of years of resistance, activism and sacrifice by countless individuals who paved the way for the nation’s liberation from Hasina’s fascist rule.

Earlier, the 1/11 government failed to play a pro-democratic role and was influenced by external forces, which was later revealed in the autobiographies of various political leaders. Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) led by the late Begum Khaleda Zia initially took a responsible role in continuing the post-1/11 democratic process. But later, the Hasina government abolished the caretaker government system and weakened democratic institutions.

BNP from the beginning was against this undemocratic move, which was the beginning of BNP’s renewed struggle for democracy. Countless BNP leaders and activists faced attacks, false cases, killings, extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances. Harassment in their everyday lives became normal, which disrupted their personal and family lives. Despite all this suffering, they remained committed to their struggle for the democratic trajectory of Bangladesh.

During the 2024 elections, many BNP activists could not stay in their houses and escape to hidden place due to continuous harassment by police and threats by AL’s leaders.  According to BNP office, a total of 1,42,983 cases were filed against its leaders and activists between 2007 and 11 January 2025, involving more than six lakh individuals. “At least 2,597 people have been killed in extrajudicial killings, torture in custody and shootings of protesters during Hasina’s fascist regime,” says a report by Netra News, based on data collected by Bangladeshi human rights researchers between 2009 and 2022. Top leaders, including Begum Khaleda Zia, were often unable to live a normal life with their families. This prolonged mental and social isolation carries a serious human cost that cannot be ignored. Not only opposition political activists, but also promising writers, journalists and academics have played a significant role in anti-fascist resistance. Despite facing harassment, intimidation, threats and even imprisonment, they have spoken out in favour of restoring democracy through their writings.

The so-called 1/11 government and Hasina’s long misrule thereafter adopted various repressive measures to suppress opposition voices and curtail press freedom. One of the most powerful tools of the Hasina government to control opposition was the Digital Security Act (DSA), introduced in 2018. Between 2018 and 2022, the government filed 1,109 cases under the DSA, resulting in the arrest of 161 opposition politicians and 138 journalists. Writer Mushtaq Ahmed died in custody while arrested in this case.

By 2022, the opposition forces led by BNP launched a simultaneous movement against the fascist regime. The party held divisional rallies across the country, drawing crowds from all walks of life. They demanded the restoration of democracy, as well as the rise in prices of essential commodities and government mismanagement and corruption. On 31 July 2022, during a BNP protest in Bhola district against load-shedding, Jubo Dal activist Abdur Rahim was killed and hundreds of its leaders and activists were injured in police violence. On 7 December 2022, police attacked BNP activists in Nayapaltan ahead of a mass rally scheduled on 10 December, killing Maqbul Ahmed (43) and injuring over 50 others. Despite these incidents, thousands of people participated in the rally in Dhaka demanding Sheikh Hasina’s resignation. On 28 October 2023, the anti-government movement reached a peak. The general public, including BNP leaders and activists, staged a massive resistance across the country, including Dhaka, on that day. Two people were killed and many others were injured in violent clashes with law enforcement agencies. According to Reuters and human rights organisations, by the end of 2023, several more people had died in protest-related violence and more than 5,330 people had been arrested.

The July Uprising was organised through a mass participation that demonstrated the deep commitment of the people to democracy and national sovereignty of Bangladesh. It defended the country’s independence and sovereignty. According to media reports, quoting coding health ministry of Bangladesh, during July Uprising more than 1,000 people killed, more than 20,000 people got injured, many of whom got permanent disabilities and lost their eyesight. Today democratic Bangladesh stands with these people’s immense sacrifice.  

However, the significance of July Uprising cannot be fully appreciated without acknowledging the 17 years of struggle that preceded it because the base of this mass uprising rooted in the long years struggle against Hasina fascist regime. So, July itself created a final culmination of the anti-fascist resistance. It united us in the interests of the country, forgetting political divisions. The July Uprising brought together diverse groups, including madrasa students, leftists, women, religious minorities and indigenous communities, in a united movement for justice and freedom.

Today the nation enjoys the democracy. So, now it is essential not only to uphold the spirit of the July martyrs, but also to acknowledge the long struggle for democratic trajectory of Bangladesh. The sacrifices of the past 17 years laid the foundation for national unity and ultimate transformation. The July uprising is a victory of years of persistent struggle and a testament to the indomitable spirit of the Bangladeshi citizen. Only by understanding the connection between years of resistance and the July Uprising itself can we fully appreciate the depth of this achievement and honour the feats of those who made it possible.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the official position of the government