On 5 August 2024, weeks of nationwide protests culminated in the fall of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government after nearly 16 years in power. As demonstrators entered Dhaka, Sheikh Hasina left the country, bringing Awami League rule to an end and marking one of the most significant political transitions in Bangladesh’s history.
The movement began as a protest against the reinstatement of the government job quota system but expanded into a nationwide uprising following the violent suppression of demonstrators. Hundreds of people were killed and thousands injured during weeks of unrest, while widespread arrests, internet shutdowns, and the deployment of security forces drew international attention. Independent investigations, including a United Nations fact-finding mission, later documented evidence of serious human rights violations committed during the crackdown.
In the aftermath, an interim government assumed office, pledging to investigate the killings, reform key state institutions, and oversee a democratic transition. Several commissions were established to recommend constitutional, electoral, judicial, and public administration reforms, while cases were initiated against former officials over alleged crimes committed during the protests.
Two years later, many of the uprising’s central demands remain unresolved. Investigations into the killings and alleged human rights violations continue, while debates over institutional reform, accountability, and democratic governance persist. Victims’ families and rights groups continue to call for timely justice and meaningful implementation of promised reforms.
The second anniversary was observed nationwide as July Mass Uprising Day, now an official public holiday. State ceremonies commemorated those killed during the movement, while renewed political tensions emerged following former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s first public address from exile since 2024, underscoring that the legacy of 5 August remains contested and its long-term political consequences are still unfolding.