July’s student movement certainly earned its place in Bangladesh's history. The shootings by law enforcement, particularly the police, and the attacks by armed terrorists from the Awami League resulted in the deaths of too many people, including students. The movement, which included children, teenagers, women, and old people alike, led to the resignation of the Hasina government.
Throughout the years, claims of electoral malfeasance, court manipulation, and free speech limitations have surfaced regarding Hasina’s rule. The Digital Security Act limits people's ability to express themselves. Furthermore, there have been recurring allegations of financial misconducts concerning mega projects and nepotism.
In the name of mega projects, there were links to unprecedented corruption in every sector. This created a gap between the rich and the general people, the rich became super-rich by the support of the corrupt government. People’s money was laundered and embezzled by party leaders in every department.
“Generation Z” fought for independence and sacrificed many lives to be free from the fascist regime. Now with their victory, we should build the concept inside our mind that there is no personal gain or achievement in politics; only then will we be able to construct a developed nation and a civilized community. Only then can we achieve true independence.
This generation has the competence and patience, as we witnessed when they took responsibility for cleaning the cities, controlling traffic, and protecting national treasures, monuments, and temples from massive destruction.
Even after over 15 years of ruling by Hasina and her ministers, they remained so voracious about remaining in power that they chose every possible way to control the student protest. They used all feasible measures, including the police force's shoot-at-sight order, countrywide internet shutdown, media blackout, and situation manipulation. Now on social media, we are seeing many sensitive videos of how the police force shot the students and also the involvement of the Awami League leaders with heavily loaded latest model weapons.
So, the challenges for the students in this movement were not simple, and yet they were ready to take on any consequence, and remained unafraid of death. This generation has shown that no government can suppress the people’s voice and establish fascism.
Different political perspectives and understandings are necessary in a democratic country, but this does not mean that one should punish or hold in contempt. Establishing a powerful opposition party in a democratic society ensures both criticism and checks and balances across all sectors.
It has been more than a month since the interim government took over the helm of Bangladesh. Their duty is to oversee institutions that need to be reformed. The police commission, the banking sector, the judiciary, the election commission, and the media are the biggest concerns surrounding this reform.
Reform should come from every political party. With fair electoral processes, people have the right to choose the government. The political parties should remember August 5 or the “July 36” as a lesson on how Hasina’s iron-clad regime of 15 years fell because of how isolated they were from the general people of Bangladesh.
This 2024 student movement exemplifies tenacity and persistence. It has reignited young people’s interest and reminded them that democracy and transformation are ongoing fights. The movement’s legacy will affect Bangladesh’s political situation. It will inspire future generations to struggle for justice and democracy.
TM Mahim Ishrak is a barrister.
