One of the reasons many revolutions fail is because they cannot materialize the gains promised through the revolution. Now is not the time for unenforced errors:
Before everything, we need to focus on the following because it’s due in the highest order of priority:
● Proper burial with respect for the martyrs is a must. We need a full account of deaths with names and figures. An inquiry commission is a must. It’s our duty towards the martyrs that have contributed the supreme sacrifices and exhibited the most raw form of human courage and sacrifice that they get the proper respect, and their families need us to their sides in whatever ways possible.
● We need to redirect our attention to the injured folks caught up in this heinous dictatorial persecution.
● The release of all the unjustly detained students is due, NOW! Those who were caught up in this draconian mess must be freed immediately.
● As much as anger and raw emotions are running high, we need to urge for calm and request everyone to stay away from taking things into their own hands.
● The currency of a revolution is moral high ground, and it’s as much of a moral high ground as a revolution can get.
Hence, it’s a must that we remain vigilant in calling out anyone tarnishing this image of the movement. Whatever political or communal violence ensues, we need to be careful on this front so that it doesn’t tarnish the reputation and the moral standing of the revolution.
This revolution is unlike any other we have seen, not only in Bangladesh but all over the world and, I would argue, even in history. Nowhere in the world has a brutal, tyrant, and dictatorial regime been deposed by mostly 15-23-year-old students on the frontline led by a brilliant, masterful group of decentralized leaders.
If I were to take away anything from this revolution, unfolding before our eyes, marked by supreme sacrifices and the purest form of courage, where students stared down lethal live bullets with hundreds of casualties, defying curfew and dystopian ‘shoot-on-sight’ policies, with militaristic ammunition raining down on civilians, the takeaway will be that this is a momentous, significant point in our history and the shared history of the world.
I am not exaggerating a single syllable here. I mean each word of it. What Abu Sayeed has signified with his open chest, what Mugdho has exhibited with unending humanity, what Sheikh Yamin has sacrificed by being dragged through a police vehicle, and countless other stories and images, the point remains that the time for a new social structure is now.
The framework for national reconciliation and national unity consensus is due — now.
The revolution was materialized through the sacrifice of students from all walks of life — public, private, school, college, madrasah, urban, rural, suburban, religious, non-religious, Muslim, Hindu, Christian, Buddhist, tribal, and marginalized groups — all backgrounds devoid of color — defying the logic of fear for life, staring down the monopoly of violence and the brutality of oppression from the state apparatus.
Underscoring this, the revolution has to succeed in materializing:
● Building institutions that would never again open fire on its people — no matter what the issue is. That’s never okay.
● Reforming institutions to ensure freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, and freedom to vote in a free, fair manner.
● True independence of institutions with separation of powers and checks and balances, ensuring that the whims of despots and their cronies can never again rain down terror on innocent civilians.
● Enabling economic opportunity and the dignity of life as one of our highest priorities.
This needs to be a national consensus. Our students have proven that they are the greatest generation. We all need to do what we can to serve them.
✍️ Marjuk Ahmed
Core Member, Youth Policy Forum – YPF