TIMELINE - Unprecedented student protests force Bangladeshi Premier Hasina to flee to India

By SM Najmus Sakib

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AA) – After a month-long student protest in Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, who ruled Bangladesh as Prime Minister for 15 years, resigned and fled the country on Monday as student and civilian protesters took over her official residence in the capital Dhaka.

The Awami League, her party, held onto power in national elections this January that were boycotted by all opposition parties.

Since then, she has faced criticism from the US and its allies but received unconditional support from neighboring India and China. With their backing, Hasina was able to withstand the criticism for some time.

However, last month, students started protests against discrimination in public job recruitment, which put renewed pressure on the government after a court reinstated controversial quotas for government jobs. Here is a timeline of the student protest that led to Hasina's resignation and the end of her 15-year-long rule.

June 5

Court reinstates quota system for public jobs that was abolished in 2018

July 1

Students announce protests calling for reforms to quota system

July 4

Student protests grow after higher court delays hearing on government appeal to challenge High Court verdict

July 14

Dhaka University students take to streets after Sheikh Hasina labels students grandsons of “Razakar,” a force which fought against Bangladesh’s independence in 1971

July 16

Student protests spread across campuses, take unprecedented turn after six students killed by police gunfire

July 19

Rejecting government calls to wait for apex court order on quota system, students announce nationwide shutdown

July 20

Government imposes military curfew, complete internet blackout, as over 266 people are killed, mostly in clashes with law enforcement agencies

Aug. 1

Government bans opposition group Jamaat-e-Islami, cracks down on protesters, opposition parties, continues blaming them for instigating student protests

Aug. 3

Students reject government call for negotiation, announce non-cooperation movement on Hasina’s resignation

Aug. 4

At least 93 people are killed in fresh violence as students demand government step down

Aug 5

Hasina flees to India along with her sister after protesters took control of the prime minister’s official residence in the capital, Dhaka.