The 2024 Student Revolution in Bangladesh: The Heroic Story of Bangladesh’s Gen Z
The year 2024 will be etched in the history of Bangladesh as the year of the "July Revolution" or the "Monsoon Revolution." What began as a peaceful protest by university students over a job quota system quickly transformed into a massive, unstoppable people’s uprising. This movement did not just change a policy; it ended the 15-year rule of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and reshaped the nation’s political landscape.
The Spark: Understanding the Quota System
The roots of the revolution lie in the Quota Reform Movement. In Bangladesh, a large percentage of highly coveted government jobs were reserved for specific groups. The most controversial was the 30% quota for the descendants of 1971 Freedom Fighters.
While people respected the heroes of the Independence War, students felt that three generations later, this system was being used to favor supporters of the ruling party, the Awami League. In a country where millions of graduates struggle with unemployment, the demand was simple: "Merit over Quota."
On June 5, 2024, the High Court reinstated this quota system (which had been abolished in 2018). This decision brought students from Dhaka University, RUET, Chittagong University, and many others to the streets.
The Turning Point: Violence and the "Razakar" Comment
The movement shifted from a policy debate to a revolution due to two main factors: state-sponsored violence and insulting rhetoric.
The Insult: During a press conference, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina asked, "If the grandchildren of freedom fighters don't get jobs, should the grandchildren of 'Razakars' get them?" (Razakar is a highly offensive term for those who collaborated with the Pakistani army in 1971).
The Response: Students felt humiliated. Thousands marched through campuses chanting, "Who are you? Who am I? Razakar, Razakar! Who said so? Who said so? The Autocrat, the Autocrat!"
The Massacre: On July 16, a student named Abu Sayed was shot dead by police in Rangpur while standing unarmed with his arms spread wide. The video of his death went viral, igniting a fire in every household in Bangladesh.
The Escalation: Internet Blackout and Curfew
To stop the protests, the government implemented a complete internet blackout for nearly five days and imposed a "shoot-on-sight" curfew. However, this backfired. Without the internet, people took to the streets to find out what was happening. Parents, teachers, and even children joined the students. The movement was no longer just about quotas; it was now a "One-Point Demand": the resignation of Sheikh Hasina.
August 5: The Fall of the Regime
The climax occurred on August 5, 2024, known as the "Long March to Dhaka." Despite the curfew, millions of people began marching toward the Prime Minister's residence, Ganabhaban.
Sensing that the military was no longer willing to fire on civilians, Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country via helicopter to India. The news triggered massive celebrations. People stormed the palace, not to loot, but to reclaim what they saw as "the people's house."
The New Bangladesh: Interim Government
Following the revolution, an interim government was formed to restore order and prepare for fair elections. Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr. Muhammad Yunus was appointed as the Chief Adviser, a choice widely supported by the student leaders.
Why This Revolution Was Different
This was a "Gen Z" Revolution. The youth used social media, digital art, and graffiti to organize and express their defiance. After the fall of the regime, students were seen managing traffic, cleaning the streets, and painting beautiful murals on walls that were once covered in political posters. This showed a sense of civic duty and a dream for a "State Repair" (Rashtra Sanskar).
Challenges Ahead
While the revolution was successful, the path forward is not easy. The nation faces:
Economic Recovery: Restoring investor confidence and stabilizing prices.
Institutional Reform: Ensuring the judiciary, police, and election commission are independent.
Justice: Holding those responsible for the "July Massacre" accountable.
