By Dr Sheikh Akram Ali
Today marks the second anniversary of the July Revolution of 2024, which the people of the country consider the rebirth of Bangladesh. The author expresses deep gratitude for the divine blessing and the political transformation, along with its profound impact, brought about by July. This change has not only liberated the people of Bangladesh from an autocratic regime but has also given the author the courage to express his thoughts and opinions freely, without fear or favor. July is a memorable chapter, born from the prolonged struggle of a people fatigued and disheartened by oppressive rule. What began as a mass uprising swiftly transformed into a full-scale revolution. This revolution not only brought about the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s fascist regime but also liberated the people of Bangladesh from India’s hegemonic control on August 5, 2024.
Today, Bangladeshis possess such confidence that they are prepared to give their lives rather than compromise on the gains of the July Revolution. Like other monumental moments in history, there is no doubt that the July Revolution stands as an epochal turning point in the history of Bangladesh. The conquest of Sindh by Muhammad bin Qasim in 712 AD remains etched in human memory. The Battle of Plassey in 1757, the Partition of Bengal in 1905, the formation of the Muslim League in 1906, the birth of Pakistan in 1947, the independence of Bangladesh in 1971, the political shift of 1975, the mass uprising of 1990 and, finally, the July Revolution of 2024 are all regarded as pivotal milestones in history.
While all these events are significant, the July Revolution stands apart in several respects. Although the Muslims of India achieved their first sense of liberation and secured a separate territory through the creation of Pakistan after nearly a century of struggle, that unified state did not endure for long because of internal and external political conspiracies. Although Bangladesh was born in December 1971 through a bloody liberation war, its people did not attain complete freedom. Much like the British rulers, India emerged as a new master from close proximity. It had assisted the people of Bangladesh in 1971 but later, under the guise of friendship, established dominance over the nation. The situation shifted in 1975, liberating the people from Indian hegemony.
As a political leader, Ziaur Rahman, through his dynamic leadership, allowed the people to taste true independence for the first time, an experience never seen before. However, he was assassinated before he could complete his mission for the nation. Over the past five decades, the public has witnessed numerous political upheavals, yet Bangladesh could not entirely free itself from the shadow of Indian influence. Begum Khaleda Zia exerted her utmost efforts and achieved considerable success. Yet traitors disguised as friends and overly loyal opportunists caused unimaginable suffering for her and her party workers. Nonetheless, it remains a fact that neither Begum Khaleda Zia nor her party compromised on national interests; rather, they emerged as Bangladesh’s most trusted nationalist force.
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami proved itself to be a people-centric political party. Its members endured all forms of sacrifice and hardship with honor, including the loss of top leaders while standing up for what they regarded as a righteous cause. Consequently, they became the arch-enemies of both Sheikh Hasina’s fascist regime and India. Yet they never compromised on national interests. Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh also faced extreme persecution, including the loss of lives at Shapla Chattar in May 2013. Just as the public and political parties were losing hope for immediate political change, student leaders, particularly from Dhaka University, ignited the spark. That fire rapidly spread across the nation, ultimately culminating in a monumental struggle and mass revolution in July 2024.
People from all walks of life, including women and children, joined the movement to bring down Sheikh Hasina’s autocratic rule and free Bangladesh from Indian influence. Day by day, the movement gained momentum, turning into a massive nationwide uprising. The martyrdom of Abu Sayed on July 16, 2024, gave unprecedented momentum to the movement, while the supreme sacrifice of Mir Mugdho on July 18 turned it into a roaring popular surge. By late July, the movement had reached its climax. Finally, on August 5, Sheikh Hasina fled to India alongside her sister, Sheikh Rehana, abandoning her party members to the mercy of the Bangladeshi public. Prior to her departure, her regime had killed nearly 1,500 innocent people and severely injured around 20,000 others.
The July movement was the result of a massive mass uprising, made possible by the unity of the entire nation in pursuit of true liberation. Beyond political parties, several individuals played crucial roles in bringing down the fascist regime. Among them were the late Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury, the late Professor Abul Kashem Fazlul Haq and Professor Dr Dilara Chowdhury from within Bangladesh; and Pinki Bhattacharya, Dr Kanak Sarwar, Elias Hossain, Jacob Milton and Lieutenant Colonel Shahidul Islam from abroad. Both the present government and the opposition are products of the July Revolution; hence, they cannot evade the responsibility of fulfilling the people’s hopes and aspirations.
(The writer is an academic and political commentator in Bangladesh and can be reached at news@metro-morning.com)
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