Bengali Youth, An Example | بنگالی نوجوان، ایک مثال

The world is currently witnessing significant political upheavals. In rapid succession, several countries have experienced major disruptions. Recently, first Venezuela, then Sri Lanka, and now Bangladesh have seen public political revolutions. However, what’s particularly intriguing about the Bangladeshi revolution is that the primary driving force behind it is a student organization. This student movement fought so fiercely for their rights that it was almost unimaginable. The political awareness among the youth, particularly the students’ protests, has sparked a variety of opinions and has also threatened the dominance of long-established political parties. In a global context, we see a similar trend, where the youth are actively resisting, whether in developing countries like Pakistan or developed ones like the United States. We have seen how young people across various nations have marched and rallied for Palestine, challenging the authorities. This is the first step towards increasing political awareness among the youth.

The Great Political Revolution:

Given that my today’s blog focuses on the youth of Bangladesh, I find it necessary to highlight a few points. The success of this great political revolutionary movement is largely due to the students of Bangladesh, who deserve commendation for transcending all forms of discrimination and fighting for their rights. Ultimately, they succeeded in achieving their goals. But the question arises, what motivated these university-going students to abandon everything and take to the streets for their rights? Why did they even sacrifice their lives? How did such intense anger and passion suddenly surface? What were the factors that turned the people of Bangladesh against the daughter of the country's founder, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman? It reached the point where Sheikh Hasina had to flee Bangladesh to save her life. I won’t comment on whether these actions and their methods were right or wrong, or whether they should have resisted or pursued their demands through political means. However, one thing is certain: the situation in Bangladesh sends a silent message to those countries that are denying their citizens’ rights. It’s not far-fetched to imagine that a movement could rise at any moment and seize power. Therefore, if those in power wish to retain it, they must meet the demands of their people.

Pakistan’s Situation:

Currently, Pakistan is facing a situation similar to Bangladesh's. The issues are almost identical—unjust rulers, oppression, and numerous other problems—against which the public is constantly protesting. However, Pakistan is fortunate that its defense is so strong that whether it is an external force or an internal one, toppling the government is as difficult as chewing iron. Yes, if the military commanders themselves wish to, they can change the scenario. Just as the passionate youth in Bangladesh revolted against the oppressive system, it could happen here as well. But, unfortunately, we are already divided into many factions. Whether it's linguistic prejudice, sectarianism, personality cults, or disputes over urban and rural boundaries, the Pakistani nation is so entangled that the possibility of uniting for their rights seems unlikely. After the success of the Bangladeshi students' movement, many images and videos emerged. One beautiful image I came across was an unprecedented example of a gathering of students from all the universities across the country. Certainly, if you want to achieve a great goal, you must set aside minor grudges and mutual animosities. When internal discord and division exist, achieving external goals becomes a mere fantasy.

Resistance:

This blog may appear to be one-sided support. I’m not saying that the former Bengali rulers were entirely wrong. It's possible that they had some exemplary qualities, but my aim is to draw attention to the political awakening that has emerged among the youth. This is why one significant event after another continues to occur. The era of forcing someone to live a life of your choosing through chains and shackles is long gone. The world has now become a global village, and even domestic matters spread to every corner of the world. Therefore, it is essential that this emotional tide be guided by wise and capable leaders. In this regard, I believe that the youth of Bangladesh have set an example for the youth around the world, especially students, showing that rights can be won in such a manner. However, it is also important to remember that the circumstances of each country are different, and thus the path of wisdom and prudence should always be chosen. We learn from the Bangladeshi student movement that to secure your legitimate rights, you must be willing to sacrifice everything, even your life. If a person or state tries to forcibly dominate you, then resistance becomes a duty. Such resisters are not rebels but patriots.