Bangladesh has witnessed a dramatic political upheaval, driven largely by a wave of youthful discontent. The movement, widely referred to as the “Gen Z revolution,” has culminated in the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, a 76-year-old leader who has ruled the country for 15 years with an increasingly authoritarian grip.
On Monday, streets in Dhaka erupted in celebration as Hasina fled the country by helicopter following weeks of intense and often deadly anti-government protests. Her departure marks the end of a long tenure marked by severe restrictions on civil freedoms and a heavy-handed approach to dissent, critics and human rights organizations claim.
In a national address, Bangladesh’s army chief, Gen. Waker-uz-Zaman, announced that the military would oversee the formation of an interim government. However, student leaders have called for Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus to head the temporary administration. A source from the Yunus Centre confirmed that Yunus has agreed to return to Bangladesh to assume this role, while the main opposition party has pledged its support to the student-led movement.
Origins of the Protest
The protests began on July 1 at Dhaka University, where students demanded an end to the government’s civil service quota system. This system allocates 30% of civil service positions to descendants of veterans from Bangladesh’s 1971 war of independence. Protesters argue that this system is discriminatory and favors supporters of Hasina’s Awami League party.
High unemployment and economic woes have fueled the discontent. Despite significant economic growth under Hasina, the post-pandemic period has brought high inflation and dwindling foreign reserves, leaving over 30 million out of work or education in a population of 170 million.
The situation escalated dramatically on July 15, leading to violent clashes between protesters and security forces. The Supreme Court’s partial rollback of the quota system and the lifting of internet blocks did little to quell the unrest. On Sunday, the violence reached a peak with at least 91 people killed and hundreds injured in the most severe day of clashes in recent Bangladeshi history.
Impact of the Protests
Following Hasina’s resignation, celebrations quickly gave way to further violence as protesters targeted government buildings, including the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum and Awami League offices. Witnesses reported that police and military personnel clashed with demonstrators, resulting in widespread bloodshed.
Student Raiyan Aftab, 23, described the chaos outside his university: “There is blood in front of my university right now. There’s like 30 bodies… I couldn’t sleep all night.” Other reports indicate that anti-government protesters were beaten and shot at by police and military forces.
Despite the turmoil, Aftab and other students celebrated the end of Hasina’s rule, though concerns remain about the future. “This might very well be the first successful Gen Z-led revolution,” said Sabrina Karim, an associate professor of government at Cornell University.
What Lies Ahead
Bangladesh’s future remains uncertain as the interim government takes shape. Student leader Muhammad Nahid Islam expressed that their goals extend beyond Hasina’s resignation, aiming to “abolish fascist systems forever.” The protest group has made it clear that they will not accept a military-supported government.
Muhammad Yunus is expected to assume leadership after a minor medical procedure in Paris. Yunus, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his microfinance work, has voiced his desire for the military to transfer control to a civilian government, calling the current events a “liberation day” for Bangladesh.
As the country navigates this unprecedented transition, student Faiza Chowdhury, 25, cautioned, “Hasina may be gone, but there is still a long road ahead for Bangladesh.” The future will depend on how the new leadership addresses longstanding issues and whether it can bring about meaningful change and protection for all citizens.
While some express optimism about the role of Gen Z in shaping Bangladesh’s future, others remain wary of potential pitfalls. “We have to remember the last 15 years; the army didn’t do anything. They protected this regime, so they can’t just come into power and become good guys,” Aftab warned.
The world watches closely as Bangladesh steps into a new chapter, marked by both hope and uncertainty.
