Student-People Mass Upsurge

Bangladesh Braces for a New Start

Rafiqul Islam Azad: Bangladesh is on the brink of a new beginning as the student-led mass upsurge brings an end to the 16-year misrule of the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government.
This historic victory was achieved on the final day of their movement when students defied an indefinite curfew and marched to Ganabhaban, the Prime Minister’s official residence.
The second bloodiest day of the movement saw over 100 innocent lives lost, marking a turning point in the nation’s struggle for justice.
The brave students spearheaded the mass uprising, forcing the authoritarian regime to step down and liberate the country from misrule, sacrificing hundreds of lives in the process. Despite the curfew, students and citizens took to the streets, heading toward Ganabhaban with determination.
As the protesters approached, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her sister fled to India, abandoning valuable possessions. The protesters stormed into Ganabhaban, collecting many items as mementos, and later entered the Parliament Bhaban, signifying their triumph.
The entire nation saluted the unarmed students who transformed a movement against job quota discrimination into a unified demand for the Prime Minister’s resignation. The resignation of the government under military pressure was met with widespread celebrations.
People from all walks of life, irrespective of age, caste, and religion, flooded the streets in victory processions, chanting slogans like “Palaichere Palaiche…Modir Bou Palaiche,” and “Hoi HoiRoiRoi, Hasina TuiGeli Koi.”
The student movement formally began on July 1 with the submission of demands to the President and relevant ministries, but these demands were ignored.
The movement gained momentum on July 14 when the Prime Minister, during a news conference at Ganabhaban, questioned the job quota benefits for freedom fighters’ descendants. This sparked spontaneous protests in universities nationwide, further intensifying the movement.
The situation escalated with threats from ruling party leaders and violent attacks by the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) on job quota protesters. The brutal killing of Abu Sayeed, the coordinator of the student movement at Rangpur Begum Rokeya University, on July 16 galvanized students across Bangladesh. Abu Sayeed was shot at point-blank range as he fearlessly faced the police, his sacrifice inspiring millions of students to join the movement. By July 18, BCL members were evicted from public university halls, and the government imposed a curfew, calling in the army. Despite these measures, the students remained resolute and unwavering in their demands.
The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court ruling on July 21, which earmarked 7% of government jobs for freedom fighters’ heirs and certain communities, did not satisfy the students’ demands.
They submitted a nine-point charter, calling for apologies, resignations, and accountability from government officials. The government’s attempts to coerce movement leaders into calling off the protests failed, leading to renewed agitations and increased determination among the protesters.
On August 4, students called for a one-point movement, which met with violent resistance, resulting in over 100 deaths. Despite the curfew, demonstrators continued to make their way to Dhaka from different directions. By noon on August 5, it became clear that change was imminent.
The Prime Minister resigned and fled the country, as announced by TV stations. Victorious students entered Ganabhaban without resistance, marking the culmination of their struggle and sacrifice.
General WakerUz Zaman, addressing the nation, assured that all killings would be tried and an interim government would restore normalcy. The nation now looks forward to the restoration of democracy, freedom of assembly, and freedom of expression.
The interim government is expected to bring about significant changes, ensuring that the economy is freed from corruption and that the nation is led by patriotic forces committed to the people’s welfare.
The student community, through immense sacrifice and unwavering determination, has led Bangladesh to a hopeful new beginning. Their courage and resilience in the face of adversity have inspired a nation and set the stage for a brighter future.
The nation salutes these brave individuals who have proven themselves up to the challenge, making supreme sacrifices to bring about this historic change.
The interim government, backed by the trust of the people, is now tasked with ensuring that the democratic process is upheld and that the people’s voices are heard, paving the way for a new era of progress and justice in Bangladesh.