Shattered Silence: Bangladesh’s Youth Uprising

Jabiah Suhrawardhy | jabiah.suhrawardhy@yale.edu

Scrolling through my feed, the screen flickers with images of bloodshed and tears—disturbing reminders of the violence engulfing Bangladesh. In conversations with two Dhaka University students who spoke anonymously, I began to grasp the on-the-ground realities. One student passionately stated, “We are not just fighting for jobs; we are fighting for our right to exist as equals in our own country.” What began as protests over a controversial job quota has evolved into a broader movement—a fight not only against government corruption but also for democracy, justice, and the right to live without fear.

The unrest intensified on July 15, when violent clashes broke out between students and pro-government groups, especially after the Awami League’s student wing, the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), attacked the protesters. One of the victims, 25-year-old Mia Singh, became a symbol of the violence after police shot him during the protests. The government’s harsh response, including the use of live ammunition, led to widespread casualties. By early August, nearly 300 people had been killed. Public anger mounted, and calls for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation grew louder. On August 3rd, following another wave of protests and a nationwide curfew, Hasina resigned and fled to India, ending her 14-year rule.

The military, which had operated under Hasina’s governance, stepped in to restore order. Army chief General Waqar uz-Zaman, whose troops had initially stood aside during the protests, pledged full support for the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. “I promise you all, we will bring justice,” Zaman stated, reaffirming his commitment to support the administration’s reforms and a transition to democracy.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) and Amnesty International have condemned Bangladesh’s violent crackdown on peaceful student protests. Security forces used coercive force, including live ammunition, tear gas, and rubber bullets, while the military was deployed to suppress demonstrations. HRW reported the imposition of shoot-on-sight curfews and an internet shutdown to prevent the spread of information. “Bangladesh has a history of security forces targeting opponents, and we are seeing it again,” said HRW’s Meenakshi Ganguly, calling on the international community to hold the government accountable.

Amnesty International also criticized the government’s imposition of a nationwide internet blackout, which lasted several days, cutting off communication and obstructing the flow of information. This media blackout hindered transparency, preventing reliable reporting on the violence and limiting the ability of citizens and journalists to document human rights abuses during the protests.

Despite these efforts to suppress student voices, social media has become a vital tool for organizing and amplifying the protests. Platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp have allowed students to share updates, raise funds for those affected, and mobilize quickly. “Social media is our lifeline,” said one student activist, emphasizing how these platforms have been essential in their fight for change. Through digital solidarity, students connect local movements to broader struggles for justice, illustrating how online platforms can unite people across borders.

The protests are not solely driven by student dissatisfaction; they represent a broader challenge to authoritarianism. The growing alliance between students, workers, and civil society organizations demonstrates the enormity of the movement’s demands and its fight for Bangladesh’s future. Workers, especially from the garment sector, have joined the protests, highlighting shared struggles over stagnant wages, rising costs, and inequality. The garment industry, a cornerstone of Bangladesh’s economy, faces these same issues, underscoring the broader discontent with political and economic systems that have failed the people.

The protests in Bangladesh, like recent youth-led demonstrations at U.S. college campuses, including Columbia University in solidarity with Gaza, share a commitment to challenging authoritarianism and injustice. As one Dhaka University student put it, “When we see the youth in Gaza rising, it inspires us. It’s the student struggles across the world. Our struggles may differ, but we fight against injustice and for our rights.”

In the face of overwhelming adversity, the resilience of these young activists is undeniable. As one student put it, “Silence is the enemy of justice,” while another declared, “We will not be silenced until the system is held accountable.” Their resolve is unshakable, and they will continue to challenge those in power until their demands for justice are met. The protests in Bangladesh are not isolated; they are part of a broader global movement, driven by a collective demand for political and economic reform—a unified stand against oppression and injustice.

Writer's Reflection

Growing up as the child of Bangladeshi immigrants, I’ve always straddled two realities: one shaped by my parents’ stories of survival and sacrifice, and another by the opportunities their hard work made possible for me. Watching the recent protests in Bangladesh unfold, I felt a deeper connection to the history my parents taught me—their stories of resilience and the fight for justice during the 1971 Liberation War. In July, I joined demonstrations in New York City with my family, where I saw how the struggle for justice and equality transcends borders.What stood out to me most was the courage of Bangladesh’s youth, risking everything for a better future. Speak-ing with students and activists involved in the movement helped me connect these struggles across borders and generations, reminding me of the global nature of the fight for dignity, justice, and equality.