2013 Shapla Square protests

The Shapla Square protests, also known as Operation Shapla or Operation Flash Out by security forces refers to the protests, and subsequent shootings, of 5 and 6 May 2013 at Shapla Square located in the Motijheel district, the main financial area of Dhaka, Bangladesh. The protests were organized by the Islamist advocacy group, Hefazat-e Islam, who were demanding the enactment of a blasphemy law. The government responded to the protests by cracking down on the protesters using a combined force drawn from the police, Rapid Action Battalion and paramilitary Border Guard Bangladesh to drive the protesters out of Shapla Square.

Following the events at Motijheel, protests in other parts of the country also broke out, during which 27 people died, although different sources report casualty numbers ranging from 20 to 61. The opposition party BNP initially claimed thousands of Hefazat activists were killed during the operation, but this was disputed by the government. Human Rights Watch and other human rights organizations put the total death toll at above 50. Initial attempts to dispute the chain of events were thwarted due to the government closure of two television channels, Diganta Television and Islamic TV, which were live telecasting the operation.

Quotes about

• Mirza Fakhrul asked the activists to come to Dhaka with extra clothes to seize power. So do we stand to eat lollipop? We are also ready. BNP will be blocked if they block. The fate of BNP will be worse than Shapla square. Sheikh Hasina will not bow down.”
  • Obaidul Quader 16 October 2023 Bangabandhu Avenue, in one of Awami Jubo League the assembly he said.
• "Where did so many bodies go? That account should be given to the opposition.” BNP claims that 2500 people were killed that day. How much ammunition is needed to kill two and a half thousand people? How many thousands of bullets are needed? How many more people would have been injured?” If so many people are killed, where are their relatives? Rumors are being spread by the opposition about the murder. They have to tell how many bodies are in a truck. She (Khaleda Zia) is the wife of an army officer. He must have good knowledge of ammunition. After the Asr prayer, Hefazet Islam Shapla was assured to leave the premises after offering prayers and they were allowed to assemble.
  • Sheikh Hasina, 9 May 2013, at Ganobhaban, Thursday in an exchange program with Feni District Awami League.[1]