The essence of the events Bangladesh witnessed during the student-led mass uprising in July and August, which escalated into a bloodied revolution, ultimately toppling the regime of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and giving rise to what we now call a new Bangladesh, is truly inexplicable.
The story of "Shono Mohajon" and its role in the July Revolution is more than just a tale of musical success; it's a stark reminder of the complex relationship between art and society. While the song's resurgence demonstrates the power of music to inspire and unify, it also raises critical questions about the nature of protest anthems and the responsibilities of artistes in times of social upheaval.
"I was banned for a full seven years due to my political identity. Although it may seem irrelevant, the Covid pandemic taught me a lot. I realised that one can survive with fewer possessions. Excessive food and luxuries are unnecessary, and true peace comes from standing closely with people in need," shared Kanak Chapa.
The march will start at 3:00pm from the base of Raju Memorial Sculpture at Dhaka University.
The students can help establish a new political party and free the country from the burden of family dynasties.
Renowned singer Syed Hyder Husyn has long been a powerful voice for the nation, society, and its people through his evocative songs. Though his health has recently declined, limiting his ability to perform, Husyn refused to remain silent during the anti-discrimination protests. Despite his illness, he composed a new song, though an internet shutdown delayed its release.
When it comes to speaking out against injustice and oppression, there aren’t many artistes who stand out as prominently as Ashfaque Nipun. Known for his active presence both online and on the ground, Nipun has been a vocal participant in various protests. His determination was evident during the quota reform movement, which later evolved into the anti-discrimination student movement and led to the dramatic fall of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s regime.
The anti-discrimination student movement coordinators had thus arranged for a concert featuring these influential rappers today at the Shontrash Birodhi Raju Sharokh Bhaskarjya on Dhaka University’s premises. However, the concert has been postponed due to severe flooding in the eastern part of the country and adverse weather conditions.
Recalling a specific incident, Mousumi described how, like many others, she changed her social media profile picture to red in solidarity with the movement. Not long after, she received a phone call during the ongoing curfew, with someone repeatedly inquiring about her whereabouts. Fearful for her safety, she and her husband fled their home. “We returned 12 hours later, only to receive another call the next day, warning me not to post anything else. But I didn't stop. I spoke out against injustice, and I wasn’t afraid."
Gen-Z have finally become mass aware of their socio-political rights and started to ask for accountability, transparency, and honour.
In a joint statement, the assembled artistes addressed the recent turmoil, saying, "We have taken down the dictator through a bloody mass uprising led by the students of our country. We deeply remember the martyred who were brutally killed by Sheikh Hasina's regime. It's very unfortunate that we are yet to get the identification of many and have a confirmed number of the people who have lost their lives."
It is deplorable how the previous government did not find it shameful to allow students to be harassed, beaten, and even killed to satisfy political desires.
The "Colours for Reform" campaign, which kicked off in the Science Lab area yesterday, comprises over 50 artists and 300 volunteers. The campaign seeks to preserve meaningful graffiti painted during the protests while refreshing Dhaka's walls with messages of hope and unity.
Mamo, along with her colleagues, consistently supported the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, even joining the protests in the streets.
Popular actor Siam Ahmed has been a consistent voice of support for the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, alongside many of his colleagues in the entertainment industry. Their outspoken stance has been widely praised so those who chose silence or responded late have doubtlessly faced significant backlash from the general public.
We expect that those who form the interim government will respect difference–be it of gender, religion, ethnicity, or language.
The protest meeting was moderated by journalist Maksudul Haque Imu and began with a minute of silence to honour the martyrs of the anti-discrimination student movement. The gathering was marked by strong condemnations of the vandalism and attacks on cultural venues, as well as the targeted attack on the residence of musical artiste Rahul Anand, known for his involvement with the student movement.
Following the former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's resignation on August 5, she has left Bangladesh and is now residing in India. The aftermath has seen nationwide celebrations, which was quickly overshadowed by widespread violence and destruction. Addressing the recent state of affairs in Bangladesh, Kolkata actor Parambrata Chattopadhyay broke his silence in an article published by Anandabazar.
It is time for us to be vigilant on all fronts, it’s so much harder to protect freedom than to achieve it.