During the July uprising, Gen Z attracted nationwide attention as politically-conscious, yet they express themselves, react, and protest in their own distinct language and style.
Around 30% of the country’s current voters are now under the age of 35, many of whom will be casting their votes for the first time, as the last three national elections were largely one-sided and marked by low voter participation.
In the post-July political landscape, Gen Z feels empowered due to its direct engagement in the uprising and its extensive presence across social media and mainstream media platforms.
The newly formed political party, the National Citizen Party (NCP), is largely Gen Z-led, and a segment of Gen Z feels a sense of belonging to the party due to the relatively young age of its leadership.
At the same time, how Tarique Rahman, the leader of BNP, engages with Gen Z has also become a pressing issue of public discussion. Tarique Rahman has his own distinct style of appealing to and impressing Gen Z.
Immediately after the July uprising , Tarique Rahman shared his own cartoon on social media handle and remarked that he missed the political cartoons that were once created about him during the BNP’s rule from 2001 to 2006, and stated that he enjoys memes and political cartoons.
This stance stood in stark contrast to the previous regime. During Sheikh Hasina’s tenure, one of the country’s most prominent cartoonists Ahmed Kabir Kishore was arrested because of producing cartoons critical of the ruling family. Under the Digital Security Act, numerous journalists and activists were arrested, and many were tortured, even for single-line Facebook posts.
After 15 years of such repression, Tarique Rahman’s openness toward satire and criticism has been widely appreciated.
Tarique Rahman has long been one of the most discussed figures in Bangladeshi politics. For more than two decades, he has been the subject of media vilification and state-driven propaganda. His speeches were banned from mainstream Bangladeshi media, and after his leaving the country in 2008, an entire generation grew up with little direct exposure to his political style, personal demeanor, or ideological positions.
As a result, Gen Z largely knew Tarique Rahman not through engagement, but through the narratives constructed by the ruling AL regime.
Post August 5, Tarique Rahman’s public positions and political style have become apparent among Gen Z. During attacks on the minority community, Tarique seriously condemned it on his X handle and commented: “Muslims, Hindus, Christians, Buddhists, believers, atheists -- no one will be left behind or be prejudiced on our democratic path.”
In a Facebook post on March 8, International Women’s Day, Tarique Rahman stated that the most important people in his life are his mother, wife, and daughter, and emphasized his commitment to building an inclusive society for women. More recently, on his 61st birthday, he has strongly criticized cyber violence against women in Bangladesh and pledged that his government would take firm action against online harassment while committing to a women-friendly digital space.
Tarique Rahman’s family cat, Zebu, has also unexpectedly captured social media attention. Tarique Rahman is also the chief patron of the Bangladesh Animal Welfare Association (BAWA), an organization dedicated to the protection and well-being of pets and wildlife.
His visible affection for pets and animals has resonated strongly online, particularly among young users. His compassion toward animals’ projects empathy that Gen Z increasingly associates with ethical and humane leadership.
In South Asian culture, strong family bonds are deeply valued, and family-oriented men are widely respected. Tarique Rahman’s visible care for his family and his small but meaningful gestures toward them have impressed netizens. His role as a son, husband, and father reflects a traditional South Asian model of masculinity, which many find relatable and admirable. Even during his mother Begum Khaleda Zia’s funeral, his brief 60-second speech drew public attention. In that moment, he appeared not as the leader of the BNP, but as a grieving son - an image that resonated deeply with the public.
At this stage of life, his demeanour reflects restraint and maturity, signaling experience without arrogance - an appealing balance for young voters who are disillusioned with aggressive and confrontational politics.
Tarique Rahman also emphasizes dialogue and inclusive political engagement. Following his return to the country, his meetings were not limited to his own party but were open to people from diverse ideological backgrounds and social walks of life.
His preference for measured statements over constant rhetoric aligns strongly with Gen Z’s skepticism toward performative politics. This is how he has come to impress Gen Z: Young people increasingly see Tarique Rahman as someone close to them -- approachable, accessible, and capable of engaging with them not as a distant authority figure, but as a known leader.
Shahadat Shadhin is a journalist and researcher.
