One nation, many flags: How flag sellers stood by protesters during the July Uprising

Amal Sarker, 28, lives in the Chankharpul area of Old Dhaka. About five months ago, he quit his job at a garment manufacturing factory and started selling flags as a roving vendor, frequenting university areas in the capital.

Buying flags from garment factories at Tk-50-60 each and selling a few every day, his earnings were nothing to write home about. But then, the July Uprising kicked off, and the demand for flags skyrocketed among protesters.

"During the July Uprising, I sold more than 150 flags a day for Tk120-180 each [depending on the size]," Amal said. Students were his main customers. 

"I, too, participated in the movement, and it benefitted me financially." When asked about the current price and demand, he said, "Prices have fallen down a fair bit; now I'm selling each flag at 100-120. But there is still demand."

Like Amal, during the uprising, dozens of flag sellers began selling their merchandise at key protest zones like Shahbagh and the Dhaka University campus. Some of them are regular street vendors who shifted to flag-selling during the protests, while others are tailors who create custom banners based on students' specifications.

Shahidul Islam, 50, shared, "I've been selling flags for over 10 years, but nothing compares to what I've seen in the recent protests," Shahidul explained, pointing to the pile of flags on his rickshaw van. 

From small handheld ones to large banners carried at the forefront of marches, his products have become more than just pieces of cloth. But it is not just Bangladesh's flags that are in demand. 

"In recent times the sale of Palestine's flags have also shot up drastically. People are buying this to show solidarity with the Palestinians. Besides these, the sale of  flag stickers, including our national flag, the Palestinian flag, and black Kalema flags have also increased," Shahidul added.

Nasim Rana, a teenager and vendor who usually sells flags during the Independence Day and Victory Day, said he never expected to see such high demand for flags during the student protest. "I used to think that flags were only for national holidays or sports victories, but now I see how powerful they can be in times like these. The students want to hold something that shows their commitment to the cause."

Yet, for all the pride these sellers take in supporting the protest, the business is not without challenges. 

In times of political unrest, streets can become violent, making it difficult for vendors to reach their regular spots or stay safe. Especially during the curfews, they could not come out of their homes.

"I worried about the police, tear gas and later, bullets," Shahidul said. "But the students needed us. Without flags, the protests would not feel the same. So, we took the risk."

Even after the uprising, protests and various movements continue in the country. The surge in demand has led to a spike in flag costs, as materials are harder to come by. Vendors source their goods from local tailors and factories, who are now working overtime to keep up with orders. 

However, for these sellers, it is not just about making a living. Many are deeply invested in the various causes that thrive in a post-uprising Bangladesh, understanding that these protests are about more than just slogans; they are about creating a fairer future for all.

"There's pride in what I do," said Nasim. "These young people are fighting for their future, for everyone's future. Selling them a flag makes me feel like I'm part of that fight."

The writer is a poet, columnist and journalist. He can be reached at [email protected]