The Return of Politics in Bangladesh

Abstract: In July 2024, Bangladesh witnessed a historic uprising that led to the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina after 15 years of increasingly authoritarian rule. What began as student protests against discriminatory government job quotas transformed into a nationwide movement demanding regime change. The protests, marked by unprecedented violence and state repression, resulted in nearly a thousand deaths. The student coalition "Students Against Discrimination" emerged as a powerful political force, successfully mobilizing the masses and ultimately forcing Hasina to flee. The uprising highlighted the enduring role of student activism in Bangladesh's politics and reignited hope for democratic reform under an interim government led by Muhammad Yunus.