When Bengal was partitioned in 1905, Rabindranath Tagore responded immediately by penning the iconic song ‘Amar Sonar Bangla’ as a heartfelt expression of his love for a united Bengal. It was not until 1971 that the song gained widespread popularity,…
Freedom of Expression
Mobocracy: The Binary of Powerful and Powerless
The July Revolution has come and gone. The people of Bangladesh are discontent. They are hungry for change and angry with the system. They want to express their frustration, seeking rapid solutions. One phenomenon that reflects the deep-rooted issues within…
Censorship or Hardship: How Journalism Survived Under Hasina’s Rule
Whenever I think of this concerning question after Sheikh Hasina’s autocratic regime came to an end on August 5, I am always taken back to the conversation I had with a friend that day. After hearing the news about Hasina’s…
Yes, I Dream of Him – “Gum, Jaan O Jobaan”: A Glimpse into Grief at the National Museum
Yes, I dream of him. It has been nine years. Sometimes I dream that I’m entering the room and he’s there, sleeping on the living room sofa or the bed, as if he never left. I say, “Where were you?…
How Free Speech was Repressed During the 16 Years of the Last Regime in Bangladesh
This article was co-written by Tuba Rahman and Ashfaq Amin. Under Sheikh Hasina’s autocratic tenure, Bangladesh witnessed a negative shift in its digital space—one that had increasingly become a critical tool of repression rather than a platform for free speech.…
How Art Has Served as a Voice of Resistance and Political Dissent in Bangladesh
Art has always been a mirror to society, reflecting its joys, sorrows, and struggles. Beyond reflection, art has served as a potent tool of resistance, a way for people to express dissent, challenge authority, and push for change. In the…
Rebellion through Cartoon: A Powerful Tribute by Drik Gallery to the Student Movement of 2024
"I am deeply gratified that the freedom to draw political cartoons has been restored in Bangladesh. Before 2006, Bangladeshi cartoonists, especially Shishir Bhattacharjee, often created cartoons about my mother and me. However, over the past 15 years, we have seen…
Exploring The Language of Protests, Rebellion and Anti-Fascism through Literature
Literature has long been a powerful tool for exploring the nuances of human experience, and it is most evident in its role in articulating the struggles, aspirations, and emotions of those involved in protests and rebellions. Literature can unite people…
From Apathy to Activism: Charting the Bangladeshi Youth’s Political Awakening through the Student Protests
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…
Ayman Sadiq, 10 Minute School and Why Many Entrepreneurs Have Been Silent about the Student Protests in Bangladesh
The sudden withdrawal of Startup Bangladesh's proposed investment of Tk 5 crore in 10 Minute School (10MS), Bangladesh's largest edtech platform, sent shockwaves through the startup community. It emphasizes the delicate balance between entrepreneurship and political expression in Bangladesh. The…
