On August 4, 2024, the coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement announced the 'March to Dhaka' program for August 5, signaling the potential resignation of the Sheikh Hasina-led government. On this day, at least 93 people were killed nationwide during the students' all-out non-cooperation movement.
The coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement initially announced the 'March to Dhaka' program for August 6, with the single-point demand for the resignation of the Sheikh Hasina government. The program called for students and the general public from across the country to come to Dhaka.
However, due to the large number of people killed in the non-cooperation movement and the combined crackdown by government party workers and police, the program was moved up by one day to August 5.
At around 3 p.m. in Shahbagh, Dhaka, Nahid Islam, one of the coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, addressed the protestors, stating that the Awami League had deployed its party cadres to the streets to create a civil war.
He said, "Our goal, our purpose, and our destination are one—nothing but victory. We are still giving them time. If the government continues the violence, we want to make it clear that we are looking at Ganabhaban."
Nahid Islam added, "If our brothers are shot in the chest, if our sisters are injured again, we will not sit silently. Form resistance committees in every neighborhood. Where there is an attack, build resistance there."
He called on the students to continue their sit-in protest in Shahbagh until the government's fall.
At around 6 p.m. on the same day, protestors marched with the bodies of the deceased from Dhaka Medical College (DMCH) Hospital. The procession went from DMCH through Dhaka University’s TSC to Shahbagh. The students and public participating in the march chanted slogans like, “Why did my brother die, Sheikh Hasina must answer,” “We want a fight, a fight, a fight; we want to live by fighting,” and “One point, one demand: Sheikh Hasina’s resignation.”
When the march reached the Shahbagh police station, police claimed some protestors had thrown bricks. Following this, police fired tear gas and sound grenades, dispersing the procession.
Earlier, on August 3, leaders of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement had declared a single-point demand for the resignation of the Sheikh Hasina government. They issued 15 instructions to students and the public to ensure the success of the non-cooperation movement against the government.
According to a report by the English-language daily, The Daily Star, the morning of August 4 was relatively calm, but violence erupted in the afternoon as pro-government supporters took to the streets to suppress the anti-government movement.
The report stated that at least 93 people were killed in clashes between pro-government workers, police, and anti-government protestors in at least 20 districts.
As violence escalated, five people were killed in clashes in Raiganj, Sirajganj.
In the capital, Dhaka, at least 12 people were killed. Most of them were brought to Dhaka Medical College Hospital already deceased.
Amid the nationwide turmoil, the homes of Awami League leaders and party offices were vandalized and set on fire. The government imposed a nationwide curfew and shut down 4G mobile internet. The government also declared a three-day public holiday starting on August 5.
According to a report by the English-language daily New Age, 93 people were killed nationwide on August 4 alone.
The quota reform movement turned violent after six people were killed nationwide on July 16. Since then, various media outlets have reported a total of 311 deaths. The actual number of casualties is believed to be higher than what has been published by various media outlets.
On August 4, thousands of people, including students, parents, teachers, day laborers, social workers, and various professionals, took to the streets in different areas of Dhaka, including Shahbagh, Science Lab, Jatrabari, Mohakhali, Dhanmondi-27, Mirpur-10, Uttara, Rampura, and Badda.
Three-way clashes between protestors, pro-government supporters, and police occurred in various parts of Dhaka, including Bangla Motor, Karwan Bazar, Shahbagh, Science Lab, Mirpur, Jatrabari, and Mohammadpur.
In Shahbagh, there were chases and counter-chases between protestors and leaders and activists of the Chhatra League. At one point, Chhatra League members took shelter in the building of the then Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (now Bangladesh Medical University). At least 24 vehicles were set on fire on the hospital premises.
Mirpur-10 became a focal point of the protests, where police and armed Awami League workers were stationed. The sound of gunfire created a climate of fear in the area.
Outside Dhaka, at least eight people were killed in Lakshmipur, eight in Feni, four in Rangpur, five in Bogura, four in Sylhet, three in Pabna, three in Munshiganj, four in Magura, three in Kishoreganj, and three in Cumilla.
In Faridpur, offices of the Awami League and Chhatra League (now banned) were vandalized and set on fire. When the Kotwali police station in the district was attacked, police fired bullets, tear gas, and sound grenades.
On August 4, the Ministry of Home Affairs announced that a curfew would be in effect indefinitely from 6 p.m. in the capital, divisional cities, district headquarters, sub-district headquarters, city corporations, municipalities, and industrial areas. However, media reports indicate that even after the curfew was imposed at 6 p.m. on August 4, protests continued in Chattogram, Sylhet, Rajshahi, Khulna, Barishal, Cumilla, Lakshmipur, Munshiganj, Pabna, Sirajganj, Feni, Rangpur, Mymensingh, Joypurhat, and Bhola.
Earlier, the government had first imposed an indefinite curfew on the night of July 19, which had been occasionally relaxed.
On August 4, Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) issued a statement condemning the "illegal use of lethal weapons and excessive force" by law enforcement agencies.
TIB stated that the completely non-violent, non-political, and peaceful student movement was deliberately pushed toward violence, and those who ordered and authorized this repression must be held accountable.
According to a report by The Daily Star, on August 4, the Bangladesh University Teachers Network presented a proposal for the formation of an interim government. It called for the launch of a democratic transition process with the participation of teachers, judges, lawyers, and civil society representatives.
The proposal was presented at a press conference at the Sagar-Runi auditorium of the Dhaka Reporters Unity in Segunbagicha by Professor Anu Muhammad, a former teacher at Jahangirnagar University.
The proposal stated that the protesting students would play a key role in electing members of the interim government, and the Sheikh Hasina-led government would voluntarily resign and hand over power to that government.
On the same day, the High Court dismissed a writ petition that had sought a halt to firing on protestors. The court stated that law enforcement agencies could use force if necessary while performing their duties.
