As a student whose eyes were glued to the revolution in Bangladesh, I couldn’t help but draw parallels between our current situation and George Orwell's dystopian novel "1984." In the world created by Orwell, a regime that established a totalitarian state made use of extreme means of control and surveillance to maintain its power. Meanwhile, in Dhaka, Sheikh Hasina's government seemed to have taken a page from Orwell's playbook, as it clamped down on the dissent and attempted to stifle democratic aspirations.
Over Hasina’s last 15 years in power, Bangladesh had gone from being a promising democracy to becoming a rather Orwellian state. Under her administration, real democratic procedures had been gradually eroded. Elections were only a formality, devoid of any authenticity, while the opposition parties were either silenced or eliminated. This decline in democratic principles is a clear parallel to the dictatorial regime found in Orwell’s narrative, where the party’s all-seeing eye and control made it impossible for anyone to dissent.
To defend its narrative, the government employed the same strategies the regime in 1984 did, which is the manipulation of reality. The regime called protesters "razakars," a term that was historically used to refer to those in collaboration with the Pakistani army during the Liberation War. This derogatory term was used as a tool to vilify and demonize the people who opposed the Awami League, thus transforming political dissent into treason.
The statement by Mohammad A Arafat, that the movement was led by anarchists and terrorists, was yet another layer of Orwellian doublethink, where the regime's oppression was justified as a defense against chaos.
The suppression tactics applied by the now-former government were truly like a dystopian world or a film. The regime had mastered the technique of managing both information and public perception. Internet blackouts, social media censorship, and curfews were used to prevent communication and connection of the citizens with the outside world. The digital blackout was not only a practical measure but also a planned strategy to control the narrative, which was similar to Orwell's idea of newspeak, where language and information were manipulated to enforce ideological conformity.
The suppression tactics applied by the now-former government were truly like a dystopian world or a film
During these times of fear, agents of the regime including Chatra League, police, and Border Guard Bangladesh implemented draconian measures with complete indifference. In the past, students who were the leaders of democracy had become the main targets of the government and were oppressed with extreme power. Reports of shootings, enforced disappearances, and raids at night created a rather bleak image of a society under siege. The government's repression was not only a physical attack but a psychological one as well, it was intended to break the spirit of the resistance and to sow fear.
However, there were patches of light even in the shadows. The extraordinary strength of the Bangladeshi people in resisting the oppression expressed the very spirit that can never be quenched. The slogans of resistance graffitied over the walls of Dhaka, full of bright colours, symbolized a silent dissent against the regime's oppressive attempts.
Social media, despite intermittent blackouts, remained a powerful tool for solidarity and mobilization. The outpouring of support -- from rickshaw pullers to academics -- demonstrated a collective refusal to accept the regime’s oppressive vision.
What was initially just a demand for quota reforms had evolved into a great demand for democratic accountability. The protests at major spots such as Shaheed Minar and the Press Club gave voice to the people's desire for democratic principles and a more equitable governance system. The movement's ultimate demand for Sheikh Hasina's resignation was a clear reflection of the regime's departure from its democratic commitments and the people's long-term discontent.
The struggle for Bangladesh's future continues. It is not only the issues of today, but the issues of tomorrow, where freedom, equality, and justice can truly blossom, that are to be fought for. In this battle for democracy, every single voice is important.
Abdus Sami Anon is a student at Brac University.
