By Delowar Hossain Akaeid

CUMILLA, July 11, 2025 (BSS) - Md Hasan Ontor, a student of Comilla University, was firmly determined for sacrificing his life for stamping out deep rooted fascism of the Awami League government led by fascist Sheikh Hasina.         

He was one of the key organizers of the historic July uprising and a coordinator of the Comilla University chapter.

Historically, students at Cumilla University have always been at the forefront of political movements in defense of democratic rights. Following that tradition, they participated in the quota reform movement and the subsequent anti-discrimination uprising, risking everything.

Their coordinated and courageous efforts inspired a spontaneous consciousness against inequality across the student body.

Hasan Ontor, born in Companiganj in Noakhali, is a Master's student of Public Administration and a resident at the university’s Bijoy-24 Hall.

In an exclusive interview with Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) recently, Hasan Ontor shared his experience of the deadly July uprising.

He said, "We were all mentally prepared to sacrifice our lives for the country. We knew this movement wouldn't be easy. But we had to fight for justice."

He believes that the struggle against discrimination was not only political -- it was also a significant chapter in the fight for human rights. Through this movement, the students of Comilla University added a new chapter in history.

BSS: Nearly a year has passed since the July Uprising. Do you still feel the memories of those intense, struggle-filled days?

Hasan Ontor: Absolutely. The emotions we went through in July were unique; whenever I visit those places, memories come back rushing through my mind. I remember how we spent long hours – protesting under the scorching sun and in the pouring rain – sometimes without any food day after day.
Those memories are etched deep. Even now, I feel the weight of those days. Every single day, we stepped out with fear in our hearts. We didn’t know what would happen -- would we return unharmed, or would we die? We went out to protest every day carrying that fear inside us.

BSS: How did the quota reform movement begin at Comilla University?

Hasan Ontor: The quota movement at Comilla University began on July 4. Before that, the students at Dhaka University had already started their movement. Seeing them, our students began writing in various groups, expressing their thoughts and willingness to rise up and protest.
After some discussion and consensus, we decided to begin our movement from July 4. Initially, we started protesting within the campus. From there, we organized rallies and gradually moved outside. Eventually, we took our demonstration to the Kotbari highway and initiated a blockade programmme. From that day onwards, the movement at Comilla University turned into a regular, organized event. We were actually the first to block the country's major Dhaka–Chattogram highway during the movement.

BSS: At the beginning, did you know the anti-discrimination student movement would evolve into an anti-government movement?

Hasan Ontor: No, I didn’t. The movement began specifically over the quota issue. Our demand was to reinstate the circular that abolished the quota system back in 2018. 

BSS: How was the participation of Comilla University students in the quota reform movement?

Hasan Ontor: The participation of Comilla University students in the quota reform movement was spontaneous. Alongside regular students, students from local educational institutions also joined us in large numbers.

BSS: In your view, how did campus violence shape the course of the quota reform movement?

Hasan Ontor: Truly, it was the government's loyalist forces who attacked a legitimate movement on campus. Backed by the authorities, the student wing of the ruling party, Chhatra League, began repressing ordinary students and harassing them in various ways. As a result, students became even more outraged. This only strengthened their resolve. They joined the movement with greater determination and unity to demand justice. And over time, the movement began to expand in scope and scale.

BSS: How did the Chhatra League’s attacks on protestors affect general students?

Hasan Ontor: On July 15, Chhatra League leaders and activists physically assaulted several students at Comilla University. That enraged the rest of the student community. In response, we expelled the attackers from the residential halls and imposed a complete boycott against them.

BSS: How was the participation of female students in the movement?

Hasan Ontor: Female students were our shield and a vital source of inspiration throughout the movement. They came out of the campus and stood with us day and night on the highways, braving the sun and rain. Many of them were injured and even bled, yet they never left us alone on the streets and never backed down.

BSS: How do you view the continuity of the uprising and the anti-discrimination movement at Comilla University?

Hasan Ontor: The momentum of the movement began on July 29. On that very day, attacks were launched on the campus gate and the Ansar camp at Comilla University. As a result, the students raised the call for Hasina’s downfall.

BSS: How did you manage to successfully carry out the blockade on the Dhaka–Chattogram highway?

Hasan Ontor: It was quite difficult and challenging for us because this highway is the country’s vital lifeline. We faced many obstacles, but we remained steadfast in demanding justice. We sat together on the streets, enduring attacks and gunfire, day and night.

BSS: Was there any clash with local Awami League leaders and their affiliated groups?

Hasan Ontor: Yes. On the afternoon of July 29, around 3pm, while we were implementing our program on the campus, local Awami League leaders and activists were present at every checkpoint from Kotbari onwards. They attacked us. Many students and ordinary people were injured during this time. They positioned themselves at every points leading to the highway and stopped and searched all passersby. Many of our students were beaten and injured during that time.

BSS: What kind of threats did you personally face during the movement?

Hasan Ontor: During the movement, I was threatened with things like ruining my education, banning me from entering the university, and even being killed.

BSS: What steps have you taken for the martyrs and those injured in the movement?

Hasan Ontor: We’ve provided support to the families of the martyrs and maintained regular communication with them. We've also informed central leaders about the need to assist them. Additionally, we’ve organized prayers in their memory and visited their graves.

BSS: How would you describe the role of campus journalists during the movement?

Hasan Ontor: The role of campus journalists during the movement was commendable. They expressed solidarity with us and regularly published news in online and other media, which gave our movement more momentum.

BSS: What was the role of pro-Awami League faculty members at the university?

Hasan Ontor: They did not stand with the students. In fact, they openly said they wouldn’t take responsibility of any student-led activities.

BSS: How would you assess the role of the university administration and the police during the movement?

Hasan Ontor: The university administration acted shamelessly and remained as silent spectators. They failed to protect us; instead they threatened students and forced them out of the halls. Cumilla University was the first campus in the country where police fired live bullets, injuring 20 students on July 11.

As for the police, they acted with blatant bias. The police charged batons and fired tear-shells to disperse the protesters, obeying the command of fascist ruler Sheikh Hasina. 

BSS: Do you think the dream and aspirations of the mass uprising have been realized at the university and national level?

Hasan Ontor: At the university level, only a few administrative changes have occurred -- new VC, Pro-VC and Treasurer have been appointed. More changes must be brought to ensure a congenial atmosphere at the university level. 
At the national level, we haven’t seen the transformative changes yet. We demanded structural reform, justice for the attackers, and restoration of healthy political environment. This is the time for change. If it doesn’t happen now, it never will. People should be given their voting rights and right to express freely.

BSS: What is your hope for the new, post-revolutionary Bangladesh?

Hasan Ontor: We dream of a Bangladesh where every person lives safely, peacefully and with dignity. 

Democratic practices must be established. The nation could not absorb ruthless dictatorship of Sheikh Hasina as the Awami government destroyed all democratic institutions for prolonging their authoritarian rule. The people of the country ousted Sheikh Hasina uprooting fascism from the country.