Tens of thousands of jubilant Bangladeshis filled the streets of Dhaka on Tuesday to commemorate the first anniversary of the mass protests that toppled former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in a day marked by rallies, concerts, prayer sessions, and renewed calls for democratic reform.
The milestone comes one year after a student-led uprising, fuelled by economic hardship and political repression, forced Hasina to flee to neighbouring India. The protests led to the establishment of an interim government headed by Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus.
“Together, we will build a Bangladesh where tyranny will never rise again,” Yunus said in a national address, paying tribute to those killed in the 2024 unrest now known as the “July killings.” He affirmed that a free and fair election could take place as early as 2026 and vowed continued reform to restore full democratic rule.
Crowds waving flags and placards gathered near the National Parliament building, with survivors of last year’s protests visibly emotional. “On this day in 2024, the tyrant Sheikh Hasina fled the country,” said Ahmedul Hasan, who was wounded during the protests. “I’ve come again to remember that moment and join the celebrations.”
However, not everyone shared the same optimism. “Even after all the bloodshed and sacrifice, a truly liberal democracy in Bangladesh still feels like a distant dream,” said Sabbir Ahmed, a college student in Jamalpur who took part in last year’s protests.
Security was tight across Dhaka, with police on high alert and armoured vehicles deployed to prevent disruptions from remnants of Hasina’s now-banned Awami League.
In a rare public statement, Hasina defended her record and insisted she never formally stepped down. “Let this anniversary not be a day of retrospection, but a rallying cry for a brighter tomorrow,” she wrote in an open letter. “Bangladesh has overcome adversity before and we will rise again.”
Later today, Yunus is expected to unveil the July Declaration, a charter that formally recognises the 2024 uprising as a turning point in the nation’s political history. Backed by major parties including Khaleda Zia’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), the document outlines a roadmap for institutional reform and democratic renewal.
While supporters hail the declaration as a blueprint for change, critics warn that without a solid legal framework or broad parliamentary consensus, its impact could remain largely symbolic.
Still, the day was a powerful reflection of a nation in transition, struggling with its past, yet striving to shape a more democratic future.
Written By Rodney Mbua
