By Prof. Manosh Chowdhury, Social Anthropology, Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh

We cordially invite you to the online presentation of Prof. Manosh Chowdhury, titled “Youth Revolt in Bangladesh 2024: Political-Cultural Foundations and Implications” on 2 December 2024, 16-18 hours CET

As the ousting of the Bangladeshi (former) prime minister Sheikh Hasina was visible on the TV screen at noon on 5th August 2024, with perhaps a million people experiencing it on the streets of Dhaka, the obvious feeling that encapsulated citizens from all over the country was awe and shock regardless of the political background of the recipients. However, the fate of Hasina on 5^th August should be seen in the historical context of her regime and the build-up of the students’ movement, slowly yet firmly, gradually yet unknowingly, of the outcome. The nature of this revolt is unprecedented in many ways, not only in what is academically defined as South Asia but also in the global context. While most analysts were caught off guard, like their political counterparts in the Hasina regime, about how to read the formation and accelerating power of this uprising, some have shown composure and rigor in understanding the foundation of this movement and its probable consequences. For years, acute agony against widespread corruption and a manipulative governing system have acted as catalysts for this outstanding demonstration of people from different strata in the final few days of the regime. However, this movement should be regarded as unique because of the way it folded, showing more and more power of the emergent youth in every phase it passed. The result came with a very high price in death tolls. Meanwhile, an interim government with lofty promises for structural reforms has been formed in Bangladesh. Yet, the final results of the unprecedented youth revolt in Bangladesh are yet to be scripted.

Please register by email: Nasima.Selim@uni-bayreuth.de 

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