For over a decade, opposition movements against Sheikh Hasina struggled to gain mass traction in Bangladesh. However, on July 14, 2024, a remark she made during a press conference at Ganabhaban ignited widespread outrage among students. Responding to a journalist’s question, Hasina’s comment about freedom fighters’ descendants and ‘razakars’ was perceived as deeply offensive by many. The statement quickly spread across campuses, transforming a limited quota reform protest into a nationwide student-led uprising. Demonstrations erupted at Dhaka University and spread to all corners of the country, with slogans denouncing authoritarianism and demanding justice. The government’s violent response, including the killing of hundreds of protesters, further intensified public anger. Ultimately, the escalating unrest forced Sheikh Hasina to flee the country on August 5, marking the collapse of her long-standing rule.