Gen-Z Power against government

In my first research paper “An Unbending Leader’s Crackdown Rains Carnage on Bangladesh” by Mujib Mashal, one of the most main ideas is that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina used too much power to stop student protests. Instead of listening to them, she used the army and police to attack. Many people died and got hurt. Another idea is that students were mad about job quotas. These quotas give special jobs to people connected to the war for independence, like the children of freedom fighters. But students wanted those jobs to be given to people who worked hard and had good scores, not just because of family history.

One part that stood out to me was when the article said at least 150 people died, and maybe even more. That’s a lot of people. It shocked me that so many students were killed just for protesting. Also, the government blocked the internet and phone calls, so people couldn’t talk or share what was really going on. That made the situation worse.

One meaningful quote is: “They’re shooting students, children, point-blank in the streets.” This quote shows how bad the violence was. It made me feel really sad. These were young people, and they did not deserve to be hurt for standing up for their rights.

Another quote is: “She described them as descendants of the ‘razakar.’” This word means traitors. The Prime Minister called the students traitors. That made her supporters angry and they started attacking the students more. It was not fair to call them that. The students just wanted justice. They were not trying to hurt the country, they were trying to make it better. Calling them traitors was a way to make them look bad and turn people against them. But in reality, they were fighting for fairness and equal chances. Many of them were peaceful and just wanted their voices to be heard.

In my second research paper “Bangladesh’s Leader Fled Just Ahead of an Angry Crowd” by Mujib Mashal, one of the main ideas is that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was forced to leave Bangladesh because of huge protests. People were very angry because many protesters were killed by the police and army. Another idea is that Hasina did not want to leave at first. She believed she could stay in power. But her family and top army leaders told her the situation was too dangerous. If she stayed, more people would die, and the violence would grow worse.

One part that stood out to me was when the crowd came close to her house, and she had to escape by helicopter. She went to India very fast, and it was not planned ahead. The article said her son, sister, and army chief all told her she had to go. This part felt like a movie, but it was real life. It shows how fast things can change when the people rise up together. She had ruled for 15 years, but in just a few days, she lost everything.

One meaningful quote is: “To protect her would require carnage, and even then they weren’t sure they could repel crowds so big.” This shows how serious the protests had become. Even the army said they couldn’t stop the people without killing more of them. That quote made me think about how powerful peaceful protests can be. When so many people come together, even leaders with big armies get scared.

Another quote is: “She wanted to stay, she did not want to leave the country at all.” This was said by her son. It shows how hard it was for her to give up power. Even after everything, she still thought she could win. But her own family had to convince her to leave for her safety. That part made me realize that sometimes leaders can become blind to what’s really going on around them. They want to stay in power so badly that they ignore the pain of their own people.

After Hasina left, there was looting and revenge in the streets. Some of her top people tried to run away but were stopped. The army said it would take over for now and promised to bring justice for the people who died. A Nobel Prize winner named Muhammad Yunus was picked to help with a new government, but it’s still not clear what will happen next.

In my third research paper “Where Students Run the Streets: Bangladesh in Limbo” by Mujib Mashal, one of the most main ideas is that after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was forced to leave, the students who protested are now the ones in charge. Some are even helping run the country. Another idea is that the students are trying to fix things and bring peace back, but it’s very hard because the police are gone, and the country is still in chaos. These young people are trying to do big things with little experience, but they are hopeful for a better future.

One part that stood out to me was when the article said students are now controlling traffic and giving out punishments like “stand for one hour” or “no helmet, 30 minutes standing.” That felt crazy but also powerful. These are normal young people who were just students last week — now they are making rules and leading the streets. It shows how fast things changed. The police were scared to come back because of the violence and the things they did before, so the students stepped in to help.

One meaningful quote is: “Revolution is not a dinner party.” This quote was written in graffiti at the University of Dhaka. It means change is not easy or simple it takes hard work and pain. That really stood out to me because these students are going through a lot. They fought for change and now they have to figure out what to do next. They didn’t plan for this, but they are trying their best.

Another quote is: “It’s not my dream, it’s their dream.” This was said by Muhammad Yunus, the Nobel Peace Prize winner who is helping the students by leading the new interim government. It shows he’s only doing this to help the youth of Bangladesh reach their goals. That felt powerful because he’s older, but he’s giving his support to the young generation. It shows respect and belief in the students.

The article also talks about how hard it is to run a country, even after a victory. There is still violence, and some people are trying to take revenge. The military is now protecting the police, which is strange, because usually the police protect people. Many police stations are burned or empty. Some students are now ministers, like Nahid Islam who is in charge of internet and tech the same internet the government once shut down to stop the protests.

The student leaders say they want a new kind of country with fairness, kindness, and responsibility. They don’t want to keep the old system, which had only two powerful parties fighting for control. They want something better that includes everyone. But it’s not easy, and they know time is short. Soon, the old parties will try to take power back.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION ABOUT MY FRIEND (WHO I INTERVIEWED)

For this project, I interviewed my childhood friend Sayem Ahmed. He is a college student in Sylhet, Bangladesh, and currently in his 3rd year. In Bangladesh, college starts from 11th grade. Sayem is majoring in accounting. He played an important role during the protest against the dictator government. He helped organize the protest and also collecting donation and supporte low income families by giving them money and food. He also took on the role of a police officer by helping to control traffic after the Prime Minister left the country.

“এই প্রতিবাদ তু কিসর লাইগা হইছিল?”

(What was the protest about?)

“আর ভাই, এই প্রতিবাদডা হইছিল সরকারি চাকরির কোটা ব্যবস্থার বিপক্ষে। দেশে ৫৬% কোটা আছিল, এইটারে সবাই মনে করত অন্যায়। কারণ জারা মেধা দিয়া পরীক্ষাত পাস করে, ওরা অনেক সময় চাকরি পাইত না, কিন্তু কোটার কারণে কম মার্ক পাওয়া লোক চাকরি পাইত। এইটাই ছাত্ররা সহ্য করতে পারে নাই। সবাই মনে করছিল যে, এই সিস্টেমে ন্যায্যতা নাই — মেধার মূল্য নাই।”

(This protest was against the government job quota system. In Bangladesh, 56% of the jobs were reserved under quotas. Many students felt this was unfair. Hardworking students who passed exams didn’t get jobs, but others with lower scores did — just because of quota. Students couldn’t take it anymore. They felt there was no fairness in the system — no value for merit.) (Translated by AI)

So, what made students finally rise up?

“ছাত্ররা গরদনের বিপক্ষে কিতা দেইখ্যা উঠা লাগল?”

(What did the students see that made them protest against the government?) -(Translated by AI)

“এইটা দেইখ্যা ছাত্ররা গরম হইয়া উঠল। ঢাকা বিশ্ববিদ্যালয় থেইকা শুরু, তারপর সারা দেশের ইউনিভার্সিটি, কলেজে ছড়াই গেল। সবাই রাস্তায় নামি গেল, “কোটা সংস্কার চাই”, “মেধার মূল্য দাও” — এইসব স্লোগান। আমি নিজেও ওই সময় শাহবাগে গেছিলাম। ভাই, রাস্তায় হাজার হাজার মানুষ! কারো মনে ভয় নাই, শুধু একটাই কথা — ইনসাফ চাই।”

(This injustice made the students angry. The protest started at Dhaka University, then spread to universities and colleges all over the country. Everyone took to the streets, shouting “We want quota reform!” and “Give value to merit!” I was there too, in Shahbagh. Thousands of people were in the streets! No one was afraid — everyone just wanted one thing: justice.) – (Translated by AI)

This protest was not just about jobs. It was about standing up for what’s right. It was about young people saying, “Enough is enough.” They wanted a system that values hard work, not one that leaves them behind.

You were also part of it, what was your experience like? (Translated by AI)

Yes, I was there at Shahbagh during the protest. My experience was intense and powerful. Thousands of people were on the streets, chanting for justice and reforming the quota system. I had never seen such unity before. Students, job seekers, and even ordinary people joined together. In that moment, I truly felt that we had the power to make change. (Tranalated by AI)

Sayem said he saw thousands of people together, shouting for justice. He felt strong being there. Everyone was standing together like one big team. He said “While I was in the hospital helping injured students i saw blood, touch blood and witness students suffring from pain”

My question to my friend Sayem – “রে প্রতিবাদে নামার লাইগা কিতা প্রেরণা দিছিল?”

“What gives you the motivation to start protesting?” (Translated by AI)

“At first, the government didn’t care much. They were like, “This protest will go away soon.” But when the protest got big, they sent police. The police used rubber bullets, tear gas, and hit people with sticks. Many people got hurt.

Then the government tried to control the news. Like, they stopped some TV channels for a few days and made Facebook really slow. It was like they didn’t want people to know what was happening because they were scared the protest would grow more.

He also added that day before the victory they had news from the capital that the government is going to resign, so they had a meeting with the opposition political parties about how to keep everthing in control. These includes :

Controlling the local traffic in my city:

Providing food for the families who lost their only provider:

Finally on August 5th, (some people call it July, 35) On the day of victory, Sayem said he felt something he never felt before. He said it was like all the pain and fear were finally over. When they heard the news that the Prime Minister left the country, people started crying but happy tears. Everyone was hugging, singing, and waving flags. Sayem told me the air felt different that day, like full of hope. He said, “We finally felt free.” For him, it wasn’t just a win it felt like a new beginning for the students and the country.

In the End: “A Victory for the People”

This movement was not just about jobs. It was about fairness, courage, and change. Young people like Sayem and my other friends stood up and said, “Enough is enough.” They faced violence and fear but never gave up. And in the end, they won. The Prime Minister left, and the youth took charge of rebuilding our country. This is proof that even when it feels impossible, peaceful protest can lead to real change. The youth of Bangladesh became a symbol of hope. Now, they are not just fighting for their own rights they are helping shape a better future for everyone.