On July 18, 2024, thousands of students from private universities in Dhaka, including BRAC, East West, Northern, and North South, joined the ongoing nationwide protests, marking a major turning point in what became known as the July uprising. The day began with a citywide shutdown and heavy police presence around university campuses. Police entered BRAC University after clashes erupted, firing tear gas and bullets as students resisted with improvised defenses. The confrontation spread across major roads such as Rokeya Sarani, turning the area into a battleground.

The protests followed earlier violence that had left six people dead, including students, and widespread restrictions on public university campuses. As police and ruling party activists blocked gatherings, private university students organized through messaging apps like Discord and Facebook to mobilize. By midday, reports emerged of escalating violence, with at least 31 people killed nationwide, including 26 students. Internet services were cut, and clashes spread to multiple districts.

Later in the day, public university students regrouped at Shahbagh, facing renewed police action. The unrest led to campus closures, hundreds injured, and temporary suspension of state television broadcasts, underscoring the scale of the confrontation.