How a student-led revolution ended Hasina’s authoritarian rule – The Diplomat

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is leaving August 5thafter more than 15 years of growth authoritarianismmarked the culmination of a student-led revolution that challenged the status quo in Bangladesh. The revolution, driven by a younger generation, emerged as a powerful force against the deep-rooted authoritarianism that had taken root under Hasina. Several key factors contributed to the movement’s success and the eventual end of her rule.

One of the cornerstones of Hasina’s authoritarian rule was almost idolizing her familyThe regime cultivated a narrative that sanctified not only Sheikh Hasina herself but also her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, one of Bangladesh’s founding leaders, and other family members. The state glorified her family by erecting thousands of statues and suppressing any form of dissent against them. Criticizing Hasina’s father became a crime, and offenders were brought to justice. 12 years in prisonAcademics and intellectuals were jailed for simply questioning Hasina or her family’s legacy, and the country lived in fear of repercussions for speaking out.

However, the students who led the revolution destroyed this constructed sanctity. When Hasina addressed the students as “The Razakars” (a term used to describe those who collaborated with the Pakistani army during the 1971 war of independence), responded with outrage. They demanded an apology, a key moment when the immunity of the Hasina family was publicly questioned. This bold defiance shook the very foundations of Hasina’s rule, as the students’ actions signaled a rejection of the reverence that shielded her from direct criticism.

In addition to creating a myth centered on Hasina’s family, her regime also made the war of independence an inviolable subject. The regime portrayed the war as a closed chapter in historydiscouraging research or open debate on the subject. The war became an instrument of political legitimization for the regime, and no one had the right to question or reinterpret the official narrative.

The students broke this taboo by calling themselves “Razakars,“a powerful and provocative act that directly attacked the regime’s manipulation of history. Their willingness to adopt this loaded label – previously used to delegitimize dissent – ​​undermined the regime’s monopolization of the war narrative. This bold challenge to one of Hasina’s key pillars of power provoked her government to respond with brutal repression, leading to the deaths of over 1,000 students. The regime’s brutal repression only inflamed public anger and weakened its grip on power.

A key turning point of the revolution was the students’ collective rejection of fear of death. Martyrdom Abu Sayedan unarmed student who was killed by security forces for defying them, galvanized the movement. His death became a powerful symbol of resistance and sacrifice, inspiring others to continue the fight despite the government’s brutal response. Sayed’s martyrdom emboldened the protesters, and the regime’s attempts to violently suppress the movement only strengthened their resolve. Students, now seeing themselves fighting for a just cause, were willing to risk their lives for the revolution. A subculture of protest against Hasina’s authoritarian regime was instilled among the youth.

For years, Hasina’s regime maintained control through a sophisticated propaganda apparatus, manipulating public perception and controlling the narrative. But in the 36 days of the student-led revolution, its propaganda machine began to crumble. Despite Hasina’s efforts to portray herself as a benevolent leader, visiting burnt-out sites and shedding tears in front of the cameraspublic opinion rejected its theatrics. The scale of violence and the deaths of so many students revealed the true nature of the regime. The regime’s narrative was no longer convincing to a population that had witnessed its authoritarianism firsthand.

Another important factor in the success of the revolution was the participation of various professional groupsincluding teachers, lawyers, and cultural activists. These groups provided institutional legitimacy and security to the movement, helping it continue its activities during curfews and state repression. Their involvement broadened the scope of the revolution, transforming it from a student-led protest into a nationwide movement. The participation of these professionals, along with the general public, broke the last taboos surrounding the Hasina regime, further undermining its authority and credibility.

Finally, the media, including social media, also played a key role in this revolution. In addition to a few media houses, individual journalists covered the revolution with positive vibes, which helped inspire the movement.

The student-led revolution that ended Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year rule was not just a political movement but a social and cultural upheaval. By dismantling the regime’s sacred narratives—both of Hasina’s family and the war of independence—the students directly challenged the foundations of its authoritarianism. Their willingness to make sacrifices, combined with the failure of state propaganda and the solidarity of professional groups, led to the collapse of a regime that had once seemed untouchable. August 5 marked the end of an era, as Hasina’s resignation and departure symbolized the triumph of a new generation that refused to live in fear and repression.