Nationwide Protests Continue in Bangladesh Despite July 5 Holiday

On July 5, 2025, students across Bangladesh sustained their protests against the reinstatement of the quota system in government jobs, undeterred by the public holiday. Demonstrations, led by the Boishomybirodhi Chhatra Andolon (Students Against Discrimination), saw road blockades and human chains in cities like Dhaka, Khulna, and Rangpur, demanding the restoration of the 2018 circular that abolished quotas. The movement, sparked by a June 2024 High Court ruling, has grown into a broader call for equitable recruitment policies.

In Dhaka, students rallied at key intersections like Shahbag, while in Mymensingh, train services were halted for over an hour. Social media posts on X reflect widespread youth support, with many framing the protests as a fight against systemic privilege. The government faces mounting pressure as the movement expands beyond campuses, with the upcoming July Mass Uprising Day on August 5, 2025, amplifying calls for reform. Despite earlier clashes in 2024, resulting in over 100 deaths, the protests remain largely peaceful but resolute, signaling a deepening public demand for change.

Published in SouthAsianDesk, July 4th, 2025

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