The Dhaka Revolution 2024 has its roots in July 2024, when students protested against the quota system in Bangladesh started. The fact that 30% of the jobs quota was reserved for the descendants of the 1971 liberation war fighters raised concerns in Bangladeshi youth who already faced hardships because of economic meltdown and growing inflation. The Bangladesh government’s decision to suppress this peaceful protest through brutal tactics has transformed it into a violent revolution. As the violent protest continued, the Supreme Court of Bangladesh on July 21 repealed the quota policy and ruled that 96% of the jobs would be opened to merit. But this decision came too late as students were now angry because of the significant scale of deaths at the hands of the government. 
On August 3, 2024, the anti-Quota protest entered into a new phase, known as the “Comprehensive non-cooperation movement” or “One-Point movement”. This movement’s sole objective/demand was the resignation of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh and its cabinet. Sheikh Hasina (daughter of Bangladeshi founding father Sheikh Mujib) was the longest-serving PM in the country. She is well known as the “brutal civilian dictator” in Bangladesh. Her 20 years of rule was full of harsh and suppressive policies.
For pressurizing, government, student leaders urged the masses not to pay taxes or utility bills and a nationwide shutdown. Additionally, student leaders called masses to march to Dhaka on August 5th. After this, the government imposed a “Shot on Sight Curfew,” and the risks of bloodshed increased in the country. The risk of the massacre was so high that the UN’s Human Rights Chief urged restraint from the Bangladeshi government and security forces. Ex-military personnel voiced their support to the protestors and insisted the government to refrain from using violence.
Despite risks of a ‘bloodbath’, Bangladeshi youth flooded to the capital, leaving no room for the Prime Minister. Surrendering to the popular pressure Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled to India. Where she was received by Ajit Doval (India’s national security advisor) and some army officials. According to reports Ex-PM sought asylum in London, and India promised her safe a passage. After this, the Bangladeshi president ordered the release of Khaleda Zia (ex-PM and Hasina’s major political rival). Khaleda urged the masses for patience and tolerance for restoring the law and order situation in the country. Bangladesh’s army Chief addressed the nation and promised to form an interim government. To this end, the army chief consulted with the major political parties and opposition leaders.
So, it was the success story of an independent, self-motivated movement in Bangladesh. This episode is full of some important happenings for Pakistan. Pakistan has long historic relations with the Bangladesh. This was a journey from brothers to rivals. Before 1947, Pakistanis and Bengalis fought side by side for having a homeland in the name of Islam. Soon after independence, differences surfaced. Because of the lack of trust on both sides and the dirty tactics of India, the two brothers got separated in 1971. Mukti Bandi (Indian proxy during the 1971 civil war), well known as the freedom fighters in Bangladesh, remained instrumental in the disintegration of Pakistan. India PM Modi openly accepted that many RSS affiliates and volunteers were active members of Mukti Bandi. The anti-quota movement in Bangladesh was against the discriminatory policy of its government, through which 30% of governmental jobs were reserved for the dissidents of the Mukti Bandi. The second most significant aspect of this revolution was the Bangladeshi PM’s statement that” “anyone opposes the allocated quota for the families of the freedom fighters is a Razakar.”
The term ‘Razakar’ is significant, a Persian term meaning helpers. The Pakistan army recruited razakars during the 1971 war, who facilitated them. This term is derogatory, labelling those sections of Bangla society who opposed the separation of East Pakistan. Due to the brutalities of the Bangladesh government, every Bangla feels proud to be a razakar this time. All these incidents indicate that despite having a harsh history of mistrust and misunderstandings, there is room for friendship. Both sides can forget the past and start collaborating for mutual interests. Pakistan hopes this revolution will culminate in the “haqiqi azadi of Bangladesh.” And it will be a new beginning of cordiality and brotherhood between two South Asian countries. (The author is : Assistant Professor, Muslim Youth University Islamabad)
