Is a ‘monsoon wind’ blowing across the Indian subcontinent?
On social media, the ‘South Asian Monsoon’ discourse is igniting a new wave of hope and resistance among young people in India and Pakistan. Did Bangladesh’s July revolution encourage her neighbours?
From protesters in Kolkata chanting 'Ek dofa ek dabi, Mamata tui kobe jabi' (We have only one demand, when will you resign, Mamata?) to the protesters waving the Bangladeshi flag in Pakistan, there seems to be a visible effect of the July Revolution of Bangladesh across the ongoing protests in South Asia.
On social media, some are calling it a South Asian Monsoon, igniting a new wave of hope and resistance among young people in India and Pakistan.
The protests, of which the youth from Generation Z had been a big part, have become a beacon of inspiration for those who are yearning for change.
But did Bangladesh's success encourage our neighbours?
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
In Bangladesh, the July Revolution marked a turning point in history. Armed with the power of social media, particularly Facebook, millions of young Bangladeshis organised protests, overcame internet blackouts, and ultimately deposed a leader who had ruled with an iron fist for over 15 years.
This youth-led movement demonstrated the power of collective action and digital connectivity in challenging entrenched political systems. And, the success in Bangladesh did not go unnoticed in India and Pakistan, where youth movements are gaining momentum, albeit for different reasons.
Protests erupted in Kolkata after the rape and murder of a junior doctor at R G Kar Medical College and Hospital on 9 August. The incident sparked outrage across West Bengal and the country, leading to a large-scale "Reclaim the Night" march.
Tens of thousands of women, along with supporters, took to the streets to demand safer public spaces for women and justice for the victims.
While the protests were mostly peaceful, they were marred by violence when unidentified miscreants attacked the protest site at the R G Kar Hospital in the early hours of 15 August. Then, demands for the resignation of the West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee started. In places, protesters clashed with the police, and the police used tear gas to disperse the crowd.
A similar incident started a massive protest at Badlapur in Maharashtra's Thane district in India over the alleged sexual abuse of two kindergarten girls on 20 August. There, incidents of stone-pelting on the police triggered a violent baton charge on the protesters, and the clash left dozens of people injured.
Right off the Bangladeshi playbook, the Maharashtra government shut down the internet and closed the schools.
Meanwhile, in Pakistan, the echoes of Bangladesh's revolution are being felt deeply. Despite facing a fragmented political landscape and a powerful military establishment, the youth in Pakistan are increasingly restless.
Last year, there was widespread, violent protest for the release of Imran Khan, the former Prime Minister. The economic crisis, high unemployment and political repression have left many young Pakistanis disillusioned with the current regime.
We have seen a child shouting on live television, "We three brothers have to survive on one piece of bread, and you two brothers [Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif] are eating the whole country [Pakistan]! Is the country your father's property?"
Overall, we have also seen protests growing in Pakistan as well. We saw students coming out to the streets and political activists taking stand for the release of Imran Khan.
And similarly, the events take an eerie turn when the government tries to quell the protests. The Internet is disrupted nationwide, preventing people from accessing social media like WhatsApp.
Just like in Bangladesh, the officials blamed a faulty undersea Internet cable and the use of VPNs. The Army Chief General Asim Munir said it was the state's responsibility to protect the public from the negative implications of social media.
In both India and Pakistan, the movements inspired by Bangladesh's success, are fueled by the same energy and determination that drove the revolution in Dhaka. The young generation in these countries is connected, informed and unafraid to demand their rights.
They are using social media not just to communicate, but to organise and mobilise, challenging the status quo and pushing for a future that reflects their aspirations.
Retired Professor Dr Imtiaz Ahmed of the Department of International Relations at the University of Dhaka thinks that using blanket statements like South Asian Monsoon overlooks the regional dynamics and nuances.
"The reasons for protests are different in the three countries," he said, "What propelled the students of Bangladesh to instigate a violent uprising is the humiliation and the brutal suppression. For India, it's the rape incident. In Pakistan, it is tied to the old separatist movements in Balochistan."
"And youth movements are not uncommon in these regions. So, I don't think there is any direct connection."
However, he thinks that the inspiration spreads due to social media and interconnectivity.
"But the protesters have taken inspiration. They can see what happened in Bangladesh and they have learnt from it."
Arka Bhaduri, a journalist and activist from Kolkata, thinks that the fall of Sheikh Hasina has emboldened the protesters in West Bengal. So, they are using Bangladesh's slogans, posters and artworks.
"Before 5 August, we used to think that Sheikh Hasina's rule in Bangladesh was a settled fact. But the people have shown that it can be done. So, the people of West Bengal are thinking, we can also ask for our rights as well," Bhaduri told The Business Standard.
He thinks that the slogans have played a role too.
"We saw the 'We want justice' slogan from the 2018 Road Safety Movement in Bangladesh has been used in Kolkata. The inspiration is evident. I think the separateness created by politicians is being closed by the people."
Soumyadeep Halder, former student of IIEST Shibpur (B E College, Shibpur), Howrah and an active protester, cited the Bangladeshi movement as their inspiration as well.
"We were impressed by the political consciousness of the Bangladeshi Gen-Zs. They pioneered a new mentality, new spirit among us," he said, "So in the beginning, our movement was based on the Bangladeshi model," Halder told TBS.
He thinks that the solidarity movement in Dhaka helped them too.
"When similar protests began in Dhaka against violence against women, it increased our momentum. Especially the slogan — Wherever I go, however I dress, no means no, yes means yes — inspired us a lot. It spread like wildfire. Apart from these, we borrowed many other slogans as well."
"We needed the change," he added.
Senjuti Das, a student who has taken part in protests in both Kolkata and Hyderabad, also thinks that the success of Bangladesh played a role in their minds. But, for her, the main inspiration has been the protests that have been going on in Dhaka for the Kolkata victim.
"When we saw that there are solidarity marches in Dhaka in our support, it was a big morale boost. It made us feel that we have friends, not just at home, but across the border as well," Das told TBS.
But is a radical change coming? Perhaps not. There are too many regional nuances at play.
Dr Imtiaz is of the same opinion.
"Personally, I think words like South Asian Monsoon are inspired by the Arab Spring. But here's the thing, the Arab Spring was not a spring in the end. What if the South Asian Monsoon is not a monsoon in the future?"
Shadique Mahbub Islam is a journalist.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of The Business Standard.
