July massacre in the context of Bangladesh Police

Following the resignation of Sheikh Hasina, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, on 5 August 2024, which had come after the Hasina's government's mass killings of protesters, known as the July massacre, a wave of violent conflict took place, between protesters and opposition activists on one side, and Awami League supporters, government and security officials on the other. On the day of Hasina's resignation, 25 police officers were killed. According to the Daily Sun, at least 119, including both the students and Awami League activists, were killed that day. According to Prothom Alo, 1,494 sculptures and monuments were vandalized across Bangladesh after the resignation of Sheikh Hasina.

The violence also affected the religious minority communities. According to the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, there have been over 2,010 attacks on Hindus or their properties spread over 45 districts and 5 Hindus have been killed in these attacks, 2 have been confirmed as Awami League members. Ahmadiyyas in Bangladesh were also attacked by groups damaging mosques and homes. The minority ethnic groups were also attacked. Mobs attacked and vandalized five to nine private television channels.

The July Revolution, also known as the July Mass Uprising, Gen Z Revolution or Monsoon Revolution or Student-People's Uprising, was a mass uprising in Bangladesh in 2024. It began as a quota reform movement to reform the quota rule for government jobs, after the Supreme Court of Bangladesh invalidated the government's 2018 circular regarding job quotas in the public sector. It began in early June 2024 and was led by the Students Against Discrimination. Coinciding with the first anniversary of the Resignation of Sheikh Hasina, on 5 August 2025, the revolution received constitutional acknowledgment with the announcement of the July Declaration, and it has been described as the world's first Gen Z revolution.

The movement escalated into a full-fledged mass uprising after the government carried out mass killings of protesters, known as the July massacre, by late July. The killings of people like Abu Sayed and Mir Mahfuzur Rahman Mugdho escalated the movement significantly. Amnesty International blamed the government's "heavy-handed response" for causing the death of "students, journalists, and bystanders" and demanded that the Hasina-led "government of Bangladesh urgently end this repression." Human Rights Watch also called on foreign governments to urge Hasina to "end the use of excessive force against protesters and hold troops to account for human rights abuses." HRW's deputy Asia director also highlighted "unfettered security force abuses against anyone who opposes the Sheikh Hasina government."