Sheikh Hasina says 2024 student protests were ‘not peaceful’, alleges movement was used for regime change

In her first press conference from Delhi since she fled Bangladesh, Hasina rejected the characterisation of the protests as a spontaneous student-led movement, alleging that organised groups exploited students to destabilise her government.

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She claimed that her government had attempted to resolve the crisis through dialogue and reminded listeners that the Awami League government had abolished the quota system in 2018 in response to student demands.

“Responding to students’ demands, we abolished the quota system in 2018. False propaganda was spread,” she said, adding that students were “emotionally manipulated”.

Hasina also referred to remarks by former Bangladesh’s interim chief adviser Muhammad Yunus, alleging that he had described the movement as one that was “meticulously designed by a mastermind”.

“Killing, arson, attacks and looting began from July 15,” she said, alleging that government offices and institutions were vandalised, media organisations were targeted and journalists were killed during the unrest. Hasina alleged that police personnel were killed and that their bodies were hung from flyovers during the violence.

Questioning the criticism of the police response, Hasina said the state had a responsibility to protect lives and public property.

“When police and government buildings are burnt and looted, does the state have no duty to protect life and property?” she asked.

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“The purpose was clear, every casualty was to be noted,” she said.

However, she alleged that the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus halted the investigation after assuming power.

“They didn’t want justice, they wanted power. They didn’t want investigation; they wanted the truth to burn,” Hasina said, describing the July-August unrest as a “coordinated assault driven by violence and propaganda.”

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Although Sheikh Hasina’s government had abolished the quota system in 2018 following earlier protests, a court ruling brought it back which led to fresh demonstrations. The Bangladesh Supreme Court later scaled back the quota, but by then the protests had expanded into an anti-government movement.

Police and supporters of the ruling Awami League party clashed with student protesters. Security forces used tear gas, rubber bullets and live ammunition to disperse protesters. Violence also reportedly spread through arson, vandalism and attacks on public buildings. As the unrest escalated, students and opposition groups began demanding Sheikh Hasina’s resignation. The agitation was the biggest challenge to her 15-year rule.

According to the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR), up to 1,400 people were killed between July 1 and August 15, 2024. The UN said many of those killed were students and other young protesters, while around 12-13% of the victims were children. The report said there were reasonable grounds to believe that some actions by the former government and security forces could amount to crimes against humanity.

As the protests reached their peak, thousands of demonstrators marched towards Sheikh Hasina’s official residence in Dhaka on August 5, 2024. Facing mounting unrest and pressure, Hasina resigned as prime minister and fled to India. Soon after, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus was appointed chief adviser of Bangladesh’s interim government.

Following her ouster, Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal initiated proceedings against Hasina over the deaths during the 2024 protests. Several cases, including those related to crimes against humanity, were filed against her.

In 2025, the tribunal sentenced Hasina to death in absentia in one of the cases linked to the crackdown. Hasina, who remains in India, has said she would return home in December this year.