On July 13 last year, the protesting students demanding quota reform in government jobs issued a 24-hour ultimatum for the withdrawal of a police case against them. They also announced plans to submit a memorandum to the president on July 14 in pursuit of their single-point demand.
The student coordinators gave the ultimatum at a press conference in front of the Central Library of Dhaka University (DU) on the evening of July 13, 2024.
The protesting students announced that they would stage a "mass foot march" towards Bangabhaban around 11 am on July 14 to submit a memorandum to the president, reinforcing their one-point demand. They urged the government to withdraw the police case against them within 24 hours and to reform the existing quota system in government jobs through legislation by calling an emergency session of parliament.
Anti-discrimination student movement's key coordinator, Hasnat Abdullah, stated that students from all educational institutions across the country would march to their respective district commissioners' (DCs) offices on the same day, submitting the same memorandum to the president through the DCs.
He said students from Dhaka University, Jagannath University, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, seven colleges affiliated to the DU, and other educational institutions in the city would take part in the march towards the Bangabhaban.
Another key coordinator of the movement, Nahid Islam, warned police to withdraw the cases within 24 hours. Referring to a case specifically filed at Shahbagh Police Station against unnamed individuals, he said, "Police claimed students caused damage. If that's true, there's no need for anonymous accusations; they can file the case with our names."
On the same day, senior police officials, ministers, and Awami League leaders again warned the students, saying actions would be taken if anyone blocked roads.
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader labelled the students' demands and statements as contrary to the constitution and the fundamental principles of state governance.
Besides, the then-home minister, Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, urged the protesters to end their movement and avoid blocking roads.
Meanwhile, Dhaka Metropolitan Police, then additional commissioner (Detective Branch) Harun or Rashid, warned that if anyone causes damage to public lives or properties in the name of protest, or if roads are blocked, law enforcement will take appropriate action.
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