Dissent: The expression of holding alternative viewpoints. Dissent is an interesting phenomenon in political science, as its most notable influence has been in the arena of revolutionizing public policies. Dissent is institutionalized in the constitutional architecture of Bangladesh -- a country where fundamental rights, by legal standards at least, supersede any and all laws of the land. And yet, dissent is curbed, dissent is wholeheartedly politicized and dissent is treated as radical opposition by those who have traditionally wielded power.
In the case of recent events in Bangladesh -- there is a nationwide call by responsible citizens, to treat the protests by school going children, as a reminder of how youth mobilization can indeed bring about credible changes to a society. They say that the student movement is a historic one -- and have opened our eyes and reminded us, about our legacy of achieving progressive results through people-centric ventures.
Nevertheless, a movement focussing on unsafe road conditions and an ineffective management system, has seemingly been diverted towards politics and broader debates by vested groups -- one which has seen media workers being attacked, the spreading of unwarranted rumours on social media, and the internationally renowned photojournalist Dr Shahidul Alam behind bars, under the controversial Information and Communications Act.
Bangladesh has been marred by student protests in the last week -- following the deaths of two innocent young citizens at the hands of reckless driving. The students have brought out a range of demands -- from ensuring the elimination of unfit vehicles from the streets, to the formal apology from a Cabinet Minister accused of providing shelter to reckless bus drivers. 20 deaths per day, is what 2018 BUET research puts the numbers at -- a shocking and concerning statistic which has yet to have received the traction that it deserves.
But not anymore. Our youth have risen, become vocal and have been out on the streets -- creating emergency lanes for people who need to travel to destinations, setting up impromptu license checking spots on the roads, and calling for government action to ensure safer road management schemes. As an expatriate, it is difficult to truly understand what is going on in the streets of Dhaka -- but then again, there is social media. And social media has stirred up a conversation regarding this issue, which goes above and beyond national borders.
Believe it or not, student protests have formed an indispensable component of what people are discussing abroad. Even in Toronto where I live, and across notable metropolitans in the world, rallies by Bangladesh-based student groups and community organizations, have showcased the expatriate community’s solidarity with the movement in Bangladesh. I caught up with a few such expatriates, and asked them what they thought about the ongoing protests in Bangladesh.
“As an expatriate student who wishes that there were fewer reasons to leave home, the youth and especially the scale of protests gave me so much hope that the people are at the very least trying to change things for the better” – Shatil Rahman, Mechanical Engineering student at McGill University.
“I have personally never seen a movement being done this efficiently and effectively. They successfully showed the law enforcement agencies how to use the laws in an unimaginably peaceful way. The statement they made through this movement will forever be looked back on as an example” – Aaraf Ahmed, Global Health and Immunology Student at the University of Toronto.
“I am an advocate for systematic and lawful change through authority, but as someone who has lived in Bangladesh for 15 years, I know how corrupt and faulty the legal system itself can be. Yes, even though it is chaotic, this protest is not only needed, but it may be the only way for today’s youth to revolutionize Bangladesh’s legal system and restore power to the people” -- Rashik Habib, Engineering student at McGill University.
“In a society with increasing education and awareness in all sectors such as social, political and economic phenomena, it is imperative that we challenge our views of how the system works and how things are done around us. With this challenge comes naturally, a series of discourse and dissent amongst one another. However, if all of it leads to a greater and positive outcome, it is not only a concept that should be appreciated, rather one that is absolutely necessary” - Karishma Roy, Business Management and Human Resources student at Seneca College
With the international media reporting these unforeseen street agitations, young observers have also engaged in a conversation about the idea of dissent in a country like Bangladesh.
In relation to dissent being fundamental in achieving wide scale demands, University of Toronto student Syed Fazal Mahmood makes the argument that “resistance and agitation amongst the youth actually brings about revolutions.” Joshua Grondin, a Vice President at the University of Toronto Students’ Union, believes that “students are always at the forefront of progressive movements, whether it is in Toronto or Dhaka. We consistently see students challenging their governments for equality and reform, while holding officials accountable to their duty in public office. Democracy thrives when students act.”
And in my opinion, our students are indeed protecting the integrity of our democracy.
The words of these observers speak for themselves. The rule of law, the need for making a statement, and the symbolic impact of these protests are crucial when understanding why our students are out on the streets -- Bangladeshis are fed up of a bipartisan system which focuses public debates on mere politics, rather than putting the issues of the people front and centre.
I am no expert in history, but I have had the opportunity to read up on history. In 1952, our student leaders demanded that Bengali be given the status of state language in erstwhile Pakistan -- students lost their lives, and Bengali was indeed established as a state language. In 1966, when the 6-point demand was put forth by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, our students stood by him, and such formed the basis of our unified liberation movement. In 1969, when Sheikh Mujib was jailed following the infamous Agartala Conspiracy Case, student leaders like Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed and Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury, showcased dissent against the Pakistani regime and demanded his unconditional release.
Bangabandhu was released and General Ayub Khan was forced to resign as Pakistan’s President. We all know about the role of students during our 1971 Liberation struggle, and subsequently during the anti-Ershad movement of the 1980s -- it goes to say without a doubt, that Begum Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina would never be who they are today, if not for the courageous and vociferous movement against the autocratic government carried out by our students.
Bangladesh has a rich history of dissent -- and dissent that has brought about credible changes to our society. This country has faced many like Shahjahan Khan who think that the legitimate concerns of the population are politically motivated -- no sir, you give politicians too much credit. This movement is for our future and by our future-makers. And as members of the expatriate community, we feel proud to support these young students in their efforts to ensure a safer future.
They are brave, they are more courageous than many of us ever will be, and they deserve our undying affection. And to those who question the impact on public life of these protests, we question their ignorant absence during partisan political protests which have riddled public life on a far greater scale, throughout our history.
We tend to forget that many in our society have vandalized buses, broken cars, and claimed lives in the name of democracy in the past -- and these forces sadly still engage in the politicization each and every public movement. To witness this refreshing brand of dissent today, should be a cause of nationwide celebration -- and what should be condemned, are the mechanisms via which these protests are being brought to a halt.
I stand proud to call myself a Bangladeshi – and am grateful that the future of our country is in the hands of these brave and responsible youth. Today, the social divides of English versus Bangla Medium schools have disappeared, with unity being forged across the aisle as to the need to speak up.
And we expect a government and a party which led us during our independence struggle on the basis of the right to self-determination and freedom, to understand what students are saying -- and act in a manner befitting their grand legacy. The manner in which the likes of Dr Shahidul Alam are detained, are detrimental to the idea of free speech and the rule of law -- and if the electorate does not demand these basic fabrics of a democratic structure from a party of the stature of the Awami League, who do we turn to?
This opinion piece was first published in the print edition of Dhaka Tribune on July 20, 2024.
