Shamsuddoza Sajen

Shamsuddoza Sajen is a journalist and researcher. He can be contacted at [email protected]

July 8, 2024: Blockade intensifies as students form committee

For the second consecutive day, the Bangla Blockade grips the capital, with thousands of students and jobseekers bringing traffic to a standstill at key intersections across Dhaka.

12h ago

July 6, 2024: 'Bangla Blockade' announced

Beyond Dhaka, protesters hold the streets with equal resolve

2d ago

July 5, 2024: Nationwide protests persist despite holiday

Even on a holiday, the quota reform protests show no sign of slowing. Students across Bangladesh take to the streets, block roads, form human chains, and voice their rejection of the reinstated quota system in government jobs.

3d ago

July 4, 2024: Protesters call for nationwide strike

Defying the rain, they sat on the streets, waving banners and shouting slogans

4d ago

July 3, 2024: Anti-quota protests spill beyond campuses

The student movement against the reinstatement of the quota system in public service recruitment escalated on July 3, 2024, as demonstrations expanded beyond university campuses to major highways and key city intersections, mounting pressure on the government.

5d ago

July 2, 2024: Protesters brave rain, warning

Defying rain, warnings, exhaustion, anti-quota protests gained momentum

6d ago

The July that rocked Bangladesh: July 1, 2024

Though protests had already begun in response to a High Court verdict reinstating quotas in government jobs, it was on July 1, 2024, that the movement for reforms to the quota system truly took shape.

1w ago

Indomitable March: Indira pledges support for Bangladesh

On March 31, 1971, Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi moved a resolution in parliament strongly criticising the military action in Bangladesh.

1y ago
March 24, 2021
March 24, 2021

The telephone call that never came

There was a final meeting between Awami League’s team and President Yahya Khan’s advisers on March 24 at 6:00pm. The reading of all the clauses and schedules of the draft proclamation, initially prepared by Yahya’s advisers and subsequently modified by AL representatives, was concluded.

March 23, 2021
March 23, 2021

‘Let’s hope for the best and prepare for the worst’

The representatives of President Yahya Khan and an Awami League team met twice today. The AL team arrived at the President’s House flying the Bangladesh flag -- a sight which clearly disturbed the junta. However, an agreement on the implementation of the principles embodied in the Six Points was ultimately achieved.

March 22, 2021
March 22, 2021

The trio meets

On the morning of March 22, 1971, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman called on President Yahya Khan. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was also present at the meeting.

March 21, 2021
March 21, 2021

Bhutto faces mass opposition in Dhaka

In an unscheduled meeting, Yahya today told Mujib and Tajuddin that Bhutto had been informed that the representatives of the Awami League and the government had reached an agreement on the formation of central cabinet and that Bhutto should be present for discussion on the interim constitutional instrument and cabinet formation.

March 20, 2021
March 20, 2021

Bangabandhu sees progress in Dhaka talks

The fourth round of talks between Yahya Khan and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was held today. Bangabandhu was joined by his colleagues -- Syed Nazrul Islam, Tajuddin Ahmed, Khondokar Moshtaque Ahmed, M Mansur Ali and Kamal Hossain.

March 19, 2021
March 19, 2021

Dhaka talks at a crucial stage

The fateful talks between President Yahya Khan and the Awami League Chief, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, were resumed at the President’s House today.

March 18, 2021
March 18, 2021

Operation searchlight inked

On the morning of March, 18, 1971, Major General Khadim Hussain Raja, then general officer commanding of 14 Division in East Pakistan, and Major General Rao Farman Ali,

March 17, 2021
March 17, 2021

Fateful talks

On the morning of March 17, the Mujib-Yahya talks resumed. Today was Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s 51st birthday. Bangabandhu reiterated his demand for the withdrawal of martial law and the immediate transfer of power to elected representatives.

March 16, 2021
March 16, 2021

Road to Freedom: This Day in Bangladesh Liberation War History

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman met President Yahya Khan this morning. He arrived at the President’s House in a car flying a black flag to mourn the death of those killed during the ongoing non-cooperation movement. It was an hourlong discussion.

March 15, 2021
March 15, 2021

President Yahya arrives

President Yahya Khan arrived in Dhaka today. No local political leader went to the airport to meet him. All the entries of the airport were heavily guarded. Siddiq Salik, then public relations officer in the Pakistan army in Dhaka, recounts,