As I sit in my room thousands of miles away from home, my heart is heavy with the news coming out of Bangladesh. The air here is peaceful, but my thoughts are turbulent, consumed by the images and reports of violence and unrest. Today, Monday, August 4th, marks a significant day for the anti-discrimination student movement back home—a day of immense courage and heartbreaking loss.
Yesterday, on August 3rd, the movement saw one of its darkest days. The violence that erupted left a tragic toll: 99 people, including 14 policemen, lost their lives in brutal clashes.
As the sun rises in Bangladesh, students and citizens are gearing up for the "March to Dhaka," a bold and perilous journey to demand the resignation of the Sheikh Hasina-led government.
The announcement of the march came from the movement's coordinators—Asif Mahmud, Sarjis Alam, and Abu Baker Majumder—who confirmed to The Daily Star their resolve to push forward despite the mounting dangers.
Initially planned for Tuesday, the march was hastily rescheduled to Monday in response to the escalating situation and the tragic deaths of fellow protesters.
From my vantage point abroad, I feel a mix of pride and helplessness. Pride in the unwavering spirit of the youth who refuse to back down in the face of tyranny, and helplessness because I am not there to stand shoulder to shoulder with them. The call to join the march has resonated across the country, urging students and citizens alike to converge in Dhaka, the heart of our nation's struggle for justice.
A Day of Tragedy: The Toll of August 3rd's Violence
The scenes from yesterday are still fresh in my mind. Peaceful protesters, their faces filled with hope and determination, were met with ruthless force. The police, emboldened by a government desperate to cling to power, unleashed a torrent of violence. Tear gas, batons, and bullets became the tools of oppression, transforming the streets into battlegrounds. Among the chaos, the cries for justice and freedom were drowned out by the sounds of brutality.
Live updates from Prothom Alo painted a harrowing picture. The death toll rose steadily throughout the day, each update more devastating than the last.
By early morning, reports indicated that the violence had claimed 32 lives. By late morning, the number had climbed to 38. As the afternoon progressed, the death toll surged to 51, then 72, and finally, by the end of the day, 99 people had lost their lives.
The violence was not confined to one area; it spread like wildfire across the country, affecting districts from Sirajganj to Dhaka, from Feni to Lakshmipur.
In Sirajganj, 22 people, including 13 policemen, were killed in the clashes. The police station in Enayetpur became a site of unimaginable horror as the violence escalated. In Dhaka, the capital, 12 people lost their lives, and the streets turned into war zones as protesters clashed with police and ruling party activists. The brutality extended to Feni and Lakshmipur, where eight people died in each district. Narsingdi saw the lynching of six Awami League leaders, a grim reminder of the deadly stakes involved.
Journalists, too, have been caught in the crossfire. A report from The Daily Star highlighted the death of Pradip Kumar Bhowmik, a journalist from Sirajganj, who was killed during clashes. At least 25 other journalists were injured across the nation. This tragic loss underscores the dangerous environment in which reporters are working, risking their lives to bring the truth to light.
The Government's Response: Curfews, Internet Shutdowns, and Escalating Tensions
In response to the escalating violence, Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Habibur Rahman announced that the "March to Dhaka" would not be allowed to proceed.
The curfew restrictions, put in place in light of the ongoing unrest, meant that no one was allowed to leave their homes. Rahman emphasized that legal actions would be taken against anyone who violated the curfew, asserting a zero-tolerance policy. He claimed that the protests had been hijacked by criminals and saboteurs, turning what began as a peaceful movement into a wave of chaos and destruction.
The Prime Minister's response to the escalating violence was as disheartening as the events themselves.
In a statement reported by Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Sheikh Hasina urged the people to resist the "anarchists" with iron hands, dismissing the protesters as terrorists.
Her rhetoric underscored the government's determination to maintain its grip on power, no matter the cost in human lives.
Adding to the chaos, mobile internet services and social media platforms were shut down in Bangladesh on Sunday amid the ongoing protests. Users across the country reported being unable to access mobile internet services from about noon. Later in the day, social media platforms were also blocked. The state minister for information and broadcasting, Mohammad Ali Arafat, stated that the shutdown was to prevent the spread of rumors. Leading telecom operators, including Grameenphone and Banglalink, confirmed that the authorities had ordered the shutdown.
An editorial from The Daily Star echoed a sentiment shared by many of us watching from afar. The editorial called for cooler heads to prevail and condemned the re-escalation of violence, highlighting the dire consequences of the ongoing conflict.
"The continuation and, indeed, re-escalation of violence—which has led to at least 90 people getting killed and thousands injured on Sunday—is pushing the country towards grave danger," it stated. The editorial criticized both the government and the protesters for resorting to violence and stressed the need for dialogue as the only way to prevent further deaths and injuries.
The editorial's call for a peaceful resolution is a wise one, but as a Bangladeshi living abroad, I believe there is no coming back from this for the government. They must go—all of them.
The government's actions have shown a complete disregard for human life and a willingness to maintain power at any cost. The brutality we witnessed yesterday was not an isolated incident but the culmination of a pattern of violence and suppression that has plagued Bangladesh for far too long.
The government's forces are also facing losses now. According to a report from the Daily Star, at least 13 policemen, including an officer-in-charge, were beaten to death at the Enayetpur Police Station in Sirajganj. The police station was attacked by a mob after police had fired shots and tear gas to disperse protesters. The brutality against law enforcement is a clear indication that the violence is spiraling out of control. Additionally, the Eliotganj Highway Police Station in Cumilla was attacked, resulting in the death of Constable Ershad. Numerous police stations, vehicles, and other establishments were vandalized and torched across the country.
More Than a Silent Observer
As I scroll through social media and news outlets, I see the faces of those who have been lost. They are more than just numbers; they are sons, daughters, friends, and future leaders of our nation. Each death is a devastating blow to our collective conscience, a reminder of the human cost of our fight for a better Bangladesh.
The "March to Dhaka" goes beyond a protest. It is a cry for accountability, a demand for the end of corruption, and a plea for the safety and dignity of every Bangladeshi citizen. The bravery of those marching today cannot be overstated. They march knowing the risks, aware that they may face the same fate as those who fell yesterday, yet they march on, driven by a vision of a just and equitable Bangladesh.
Living abroad, I am acutely aware of the privilege of safety and freedom that I enjoy, privileges that many in Bangladesh are fighting for at this very moment.
My thoughts and prayers are with the protesters, their families, and everyone who has been affected by the violence. I hope that their courage will inspire others to join the cause, to raise their voices, and to stand against oppression.
Every day, I wake up to news of the turmoil back home. It is a jarring contrast to the relatively peaceful life I lead here. As I go through my daily routine, a part of me is always elsewhere, deeply connected to the struggles of my fellow Bangladeshis. I find myself constantly checking my phone for updates, scrolling through social media for the latest developments, and feeling an overwhelming sense of guilt for being physically distant from the heart of the struggle.
The frustration is palpable. I force myself to go on with life as though everything is normal, attending classes, going to work, engaging in casual conversations, but there is an undercurrent of turmoil that never leaves my mind. It feels wrong to laugh at a joke or enjoy a meal when I know that people are risking their lives for the basic rights that I often take for granted.
The helplessness is suffocating. I want to do more than just watch from afar. I want to be there, standing shoulder to shoulder with the protesters, lending my voice to the chants of justice and freedom.
But all I can do is offer words of support, share information, and donate to causes. It feels insignificant in the face of such monumental bravery and sacrifice.
I am haunted by the images of bloodied faces and tearful eyes, by the stories of families torn apart and futures shattered.
There is a deep-seated fury within me. I am angry at the government for its ruthless suppression of dissent, for its blatant disregard for human rights and democratic principles. I am angry at the world for its silence, for its apathy towards the plight of a nation in crisis. I am angry at myself for not being able to do more, for feeling so powerless in the face of such overwhelming injustice.
Yet, amidst all this, there is also a flicker of hope. The resilience and determination of the protesters are inspiring. Their courage in the face of brutality gives me strength. I hold onto the belief that change is possible, that the collective power of the people can overcome the forces of oppression. I am reminded that even in the darkest of times, there is light to be found in the unity and solidarity of those who refuse to give up the fight.
Even though I live abroad, I am not just a passive observer. I am a part of this struggle, connected by a shared history and a common dream of a better future for Bangladesh.
My heart aches with the pain of my people, but it also beats with the hope that one day, their sacrifices will pave the way for a more just and equitable society.
The international community cannot turn a blind eye to the situation in Bangladesh. As expatriates, we have a responsibility to amplify the voices of those back home, to share their stories, and to call for global attention and intervention. We must use our platforms to advocate for human rights, to pressure governments and organizations to take a stand, and to ensure that the sacrifices of our fellow Bangladeshis are not in vain.
Today, as the "March to Dhaka" unfolds, let us remember the power of solidarity. Let us honor the memory of those who have been lost by continuing the fight for justice. And let us remain hopeful that through unity and perseverance, we will see the dawn of a new Bangladesh, one where the dreams of our youth can flourish without fear.
