Looking Back: July Mass Uprising

A protest that began against reforms to the quota system gradually turned into a protest against the government. Hence, July became the month when the youth of Bangladesh rewrote history. This was crucial because July’s leaders belonged to a generation shaped by political oppression before they ever gained the power to vote. The revolution spread across people of all ages, genders and classes. 

During those nerve-wracking days, a photo of an injured student lying on a rickshaw went viral. Later, the deceased was identified as Golam Nafiz, and the rickshaw-puller who carried the body as Mohammad Nur. Two years later, Mohammad Nur still cannot forget what he had witnessed. While speaking over the phone, he said, “I do not wish to remember those days again. Every time I think of those days, I remember how one of the students was kicked directly on his forehead.” In response to query about his participation in July movement, he said, “Initially, I was on the roads to make ends meet. Later as things escalated, I decided to fight against whatever chose to drag my country’s name down; at that point I only believed in Almighty Allah. I was not event afraid to be shot.” However, he expresses his disappointment, saying, “I would say we have not even received 30% of the outcome for what everyone fought for.”

The students were the heart of the protest; both public and private university students walked hand in hand during the crucial time. As a result, many became the victims of unexpected attacks from the Chhatra League and the police. In conversation with such a victim, Syman Azad Seam, a student from North South University, expressed his experience. He states, “I couldn’t initially react as I did not know how to. I was at Nodda when I got shot by a bunch of young boys. As soon as the first bullet hit me, I felt my right hand go numb. Just as I turned around to run away from the spot, that’s when the second bullet hit me on my waist. I am still recovering both mentally and physically.” While sharing his experience at the hospital, Syman mentioned, “I am grateful to the doctor who treated me and how my faculties came forward and stood by us. I appreciate the security team of the Evercare hospital as they did not share any information about the injured students.”
As the conversation progressed, he expressed how his sense of security has changed after the incident. He adds, “I do not remember any of us hurting or attacking the opposition. So, now the incident makes me question how much value my life actually holds as a citizen of the country.” Syman further adds that, “I took part in the protest as I couldn’t tolerate the unjust behavior that took place and so I put myself in the shoes of the students who were suffering; it was the time when it hit me that the line created between a private university student and public university is keen, in the end we all are a team. But, if such an incident repeats ever again, I will not go forward as I feel like my efforts and sacrifice went in vain. I feel like the authorities are not taking the necessary initiatives, as we expected.” 

July will return with the calendar every year, but the precious lives lost are gone forever. Yet, July stands as an indelible milestone for every regime in the past, present and future, a stark reminder that no matter how mighty a Namrood may seem, even the smallest mosquito can bring down an empire.
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The writer is journalist at Daily Sun