The grand narrative of the July Revolution in Bangladesh is emancipation, signifying that the movement was fundamentally about freedom from oppression, repression, injustice, and political constraints. A grand narrative refers to a story that provides legitimacy to historical events. People from all walks of life participated in this revolution, seeking emancipation of all.
Political emancipation reflects the people's demand for democracy, good governance, and political freedom. For years, state institutions operated through undemocratic processes, and national and constitutional bodies were undermined by corruption, nepotism, and the unlawful exercise of power. The government's unethical and illegal interference in the judiciary was a persistent reality over the past 17 years. Citizens' political rights were systematically suppressed-they were denied the right to vote, a fundamental democratic privilege, and were unable to express their opinions, let alone criticise the government. A culture of fear was created. Opposition political parties were systematically obstructed from engaging in political activities through arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and restrictions on public gatherings and protests.
Social emancipation seeks freedom from injustice, discrimination, and inequality. The lack of justice in several high-profile cases led to widespread public grievances. Government-affiliated individuals and groups exerted influence over judicial processes, prioritising their own interests while marginalising others. This deepened societal inequalities and fostered resentment among various groups and communities.
Economic emancipation entails freedom from poverty, corruption, and economic control by a privileged few. Unemployment had become a significant crisis, exacerbated by discriminatory quota policies in government jobs, which further alienated the youth. Economic power remained concentrated in the hands of select groups benefiting from government patronage. Meanwhile, soaring inflation negatively impacted all aspects of life, making it increasingly difficult for middle-class families to maintain a basic standard of living. For lower-middle-class and working-class families, meeting fundamental needs became even more challenging. Corruption was rampant across all sectors, beyond the government's control.
These political, social, and economic factors ignited the rebellion, even though the movement initially emerged from grievances over quota discrimination. Students demanded freedom from this discriminatory system in government recruitment, political parties sought liberation from state-imposed constraints, and the general public longed for freedom of speech. Thus, emancipation became the defining story-the grand narrative-of the July uprising in Bangladesh in 2024.
Md. Al Amin
Student, Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS)
University of Dhaka
alamin.du.162000@gmail.com
