Student-led protests in Bangladesh topple authoritarian leader, sparking hopes for true democracy after decades of family rule.
At a Glance
- Student uprising in Bangladesh ousted long-serving Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India after widespread protests
- The revolution was triggered by controversial job quotas favoring descendants of freedom fighters, viewed as discriminatory
- Protesters destroyed the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum, symbolically rejecting the personality cult around Sheikh Hasina’s father
- An interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus is working to restore democracy with elections expected by 2026
- Three political forces now compete for power: the student-led National Citizen Party, Bangladesh Nationalist Party, and Jamaat-e-Islami
Students Topple Dynasty and Challenge National Narrative
Bangladesh has undergone a remarkable political transformation following massive student-led protests that forced authoritarian leader Sheikh Hasina to flee the country. The uprising was sparked by the government’s decision to increase job quotas for descendants of freedom fighters, which students viewed as discriminatory and nepotistic. The protests quickly evolved into a broader movement against Hasina’s 15-year rule, which had become increasingly autocratic. During her tenure, Hasina consolidated power while promoting an idealized narrative of her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the nation’s founding father known as “Bangabandhu” or “Friend of Bengal.”
The symbolic significance of the revolution was dramatically illustrated when protesters destroyed the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum, the former residence of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman where he and most of his family were assassinated in 1975. The site had been transformed into a shrine-like museum under Hasina’s rule, reinforcing the family’s grip on national identity.
“When the politicians become historians, that becomes propaganda and not history. That is what Sheikh Hasina started to do. And all her deeds and misdeeds, the symbol used was her father. So when she came down, the symbol came down with it,” said Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowduhury.
Interim Government Faces Complex Challenges
Following Hasina’s ouster, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus returned from abroad to lead an interim government tasked with restoring democracy. The government includes student representatives from the protest movement, reflecting their crucial role in the revolution. The interim leadership now faces multiple challenges, including preparing for multiparty elections, addressing economic concerns, and navigating complex constitutional questions. The government has already recognized those killed during the protests as martyrs, acknowledging the high price paid for political change.
The political landscape has transformed into a three-way competition. Student leaders have formed the National Citizen Party (NCP), which advocates for a completely new constitution with proper checks and balances. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which was persecuted under Hasina’s rule, favors amending the existing 1972 constitution. The Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami represents the third major political force. A key point of contention is the fate of Hasina’s Awami League party, with many calling for its ban due to its role in the deadly crackdown on protesters.
Here’s my oped from when the fascist dictatorship fell, how the students led a mass uprising, and the formation of the Interim Government of Bangladesh in August 2024. https://t.co/dRkPVKyt54
— Prof. Farhana Sultana 🦋 @farhanasultana.com (@Prof_FSultana) March 27, 2025
Education Reform and Economic Challenges
The student movement that toppled Hasina emerged from deep-seated issues within Bangladesh’s education and employment systems. The higher education sector is overcrowded and plagued by quality concerns, while public sector jobs remain highly competitive and desirable due to their stability and benefits. The controversial job quota system that sparked the initial protests reserved 30% of civil service positions for descendants of freedom fighters, effectively creating a privileged class tied to the nation’s founding narrative.
“Student politics has always been very significant in Bangladesh’s national politics, both before and after independence. For example, in 1952, students were instrumental in the language movement for Bangla to be recognized as the state language for then-East Pakistan. Before the 1971 liberation, there were many protests and movements where students actively participated, ultimately helping to achieve independence,” said Sharowat Shamin.
Brain drain poses another significant challenge, with talented graduates leaving Bangladesh for better opportunities abroad. This exodus has accelerated in recent years due to job insecurity, limited benefits, and uncertain career progression in the domestic private sector. Despite Bangladesh’s economic growth, the interim government must address these structural issues to retain skilled workers and maintain development momentum.
The revolution has created an opportunity to reshape both the political system and the economic structures that have contributed to youth dissatisfaction.
Rewriting History and National Identity
Perhaps the most profound challenge facing Bangladesh is the reckoning with its own history. Under Hasina’s rule, the official narrative centered around her father’s role in independence, sometimes referred to as “Mujibism.” School textbooks and government propaganda reinforced this narrative, leaving little room for nuance or critical examination. The student revolution has created space for a more balanced view of history, with many citizens eager to acknowledge historical truths while still respecting national heroes.
“No society can really progress without knowing its own history and learning something from it. There comes a point when the society is ready to listen to a different point of view or challenges to the established narratives,” said Sarmila Bose.
The interim government has indicated that elections will likely be held in late 2025 or early 2026, allowing time for necessary reforms. This timeline is contested by the BNP, which pushes for earlier elections. Whether Bangladesh can establish a sustainable democracy depends on its ability to build institutions that prevent the rise of future autocrats while addressing the economic and social grievances that fueled the revolution. The student movement has demonstrated that even entrenched political dynasties can be challenged when they fail to serve the people’s interests.
