As a millennial who grew up in Bangladesh, I’ve always found politics to be a source of frustration and disillusionment. At our blog, which primarily focuses on pop culture, we’ve often shied away from political issues, feeling that our platform couldn’t affect much change. The potential repercussions under the Digital Security Act were also a significant deterrent. We didn’t even cover the 2024 election because it felt like a foregone conclusion.
For many of us, politics has long been synonymous with corruption, nepotism, and inefficacy. Growing up in a relatively stable yet increasingly authoritarian regime, I found little reason to invest in what seemed like a rigged system.
A survey conducted by a Bangla daily newspaper reflects this sentiment among the youth, with 57 percent of young people aged 15-30 expressing no interest in politics. An earlier survey in 2017 showed 51.2 percent had an aversion to politics, and this increased to 57 percent by 2019. Reasons included an unhealthy political culture, political violence, and a lack of freedom of speech.
Our generation has grown up in an era of constant distraction, with social media feeds overflowing with second-long reels and viral trends. From House of the Dragon and The Boys being “mid” to Argentina’s victory in the Copa America final, our attention is perpetually pulled in a hundred directions. Significant movements like the university teachers’ strike and the beginning of the quota reform movement often get overshadowed by the next big story or scandal. When news of question leaks in Bangladesh Civil Service exams broke, it pushed important issues like the quota reform movement to the back burner.
This culture of distraction makes it difficult to focus on any single issue for long. Without reaching a resolution, we often move on, waiting for the next trend to capture our interest. The restoration of internet access, albeit limited, brought back a semblance of normalcy, but it also allowed some of us to slip back into our old habits of scrolling past serious issues in favor of the latest viral content.
Despite our aversion to politics, the Road Safety Movement in 2018 caught my attention. Triggered by the tragic deaths of two students, it saw unprecedented youth mobilization via social media. I was deeply moved and involved, albeit from a distance. The protests were a prime example of how social media could be harnessed for social change.
However, I also witnessed the brutal crackdown on protesters firsthand, which left many of us cowed into submission. The streets that had been filled with hope and determination soon fell silent. We returned to talking about sports and pop culture, using memes to normalize the situation and avoid the harsh reality of political engagement.
Fast forward to 2024, and the quota reform protests emerged as a significant turning point. Initially a movement to address the unfair allocation of government jobs, it quickly evolved into a broader struggle against systemic corruption and government oppression. The brutal response by the authorities, including the death of student protester Abu Sayed and almost 200 subsequent casualties, reignited a collective outrage among the youth.
Social media once again played a crucial role in this awakening. Platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram became the battlegrounds where we voiced our discontent, organized rallies, and shared stories of repression. The widespread dissemination of videos and images of police brutality galvanized many previously apolitical individuals, myself included, to take a stand.
The Resilience of the Youth in Bangladesh Youth Politics
Despite facing severe repression, including arrests, physical assaults, and intimidation, the student protesters have shown remarkable resilience. This persistence is not merely about the quota system anymore; it has become a fight for justice, equality, and the right to be heard.
The protests have also revealed the organizational capabilities and strategic acumen of the youth. They have employed innovative methods to circumvent government censorship, such as encrypted messaging apps and decentralized leadership structures. This resilience and adaptability signify a profound shift in the political dynamics of Bangladesh.
The findings from the TAF and BIGD survey also highlight a paradox. While the youth are highly engaged with political content on social media, they feel unsafe expressing their political views online.
A staggering 78 percent of respondents aged 18-25 years expressed that they felt unsafe discussing political issues on Facebook, reflecting a broader climate of fear and repression. Yet, this did not deter us from participating in the protests, demonstrating a significant shift from online engagement to tangible activism.
The 2024 Elections and Youth Disillusionment
The lead-up to the January 2024 elections underscored the deepening disillusionment among the youth. Historically, first-time voters have added vibrancy to Bangladesh’s electoral process, often swinging the polls. However, the festive atmosphere traditionally associated with elections has dissipated. The 2014 elections saw 153 lawmakers elected uncontested due to an opposition boycott, and allegations of vote rigging in the 2018 elections further eroded trust in the democratic process.
In the January 2024 elections, 25 million fresh voters were eligible to vote for the first time. Yet, the political landscape was grim. Many young people, having never witnessed a proper election, expressed frustration and disillusionment.
A survey conducted by New Age in 2019 revealed that an increasing number of youths were turning away from politics due to political violence, lack of freedom of speech, and an unhealthy political culture. Despite this, the youth showed an interest in social movements, with significant support for the Road Safety Movement and the quota reform protests.
At a university program organized by DW Akademie, youths expressed their desire to engage in political discussions and find solutions to societal issues, including voting rights and the electoral atmosphere. However, they also highlighted their pain and frustration at not being able to speak freely. This sentiment was echoed in the January 2024 elections, where the ruling party’s dominance and opposition’s boycott led to a lack of enthusiasm among first-time voters.
A Look at the Current Protest Leaders and their Impact on Bangladesh Youth Politics
The recent surge in student activism can be credited to the efforts of new student leaders who have emerged as influential figures in the protest movement. The Gonotantrick Chhatra Shokti (GCS), launched on October 4, 2023, played a significant role. Leaders like Akhter Hossain, Nahid Islam, and Asif Mahmud have been at the forefront of this activism. Akhter Hossain, a devout Muslim and brilliant law student at Dhaka University, has been a vocal advocate for human rights, having been arrested multiple times for his activism. Nahid Islam and Asif Mahmud have also shown resilience, organizing diverse groups of students and uniting them under the banner of the Students Against Discrimination (SAD).
The leadership of GCS and SAD has managed to galvanize students from both public and private universities, creating a broad-based movement that has challenged the dominance of established political student wings like Chhatra League (BCL). Their ability to mobilize and sustain large-scale protests despite severe repression underscores their strategic acumen and the widespread discontent among the youth.
The Broader Implications of Bangladesh Youth Politics
The re-engagement of millennials and Gen Z in politics has far-reaching implications for Bangladesh. Firstly, it signifies a potential shift in the political landscape. As these young individuals transition into adulthood, their increased political awareness and activism could lead to more accountable and transparent governance.
Secondly, this movement has fostered a sense of unity and solidarity among the youth, cutting across socioeconomic and cultural divides. The shared experience of standing up against oppression has created a generation that is more cohesive and determined to shape their country’s future.
Lastly, the international community’s attention to these protests could pressure the Bangladeshi government to address human rights abuses and implement reforms. The global support for the young protesters highlights the universal appeal of their struggle for justice and democracy.
The millennials and Gen Z of Bangladesh exhibit resilience and determination through their political awakening. From a legacy of apathy, we have emerged as formidable forces for change, challenging the status quo and demanding a better future. The 2024 student protests are more than a moment of resistance; they are the dawn of a new era in Bangladeshi politics, driven by a generation that refuses to be silenced. As we continue our fight, we inspire hope for a more just and democratic Bangladesh.
