Amolnama: How deeds shape the legacy and collective memory of uprisings

Revolutions often begin as beacons of hope, but their legacy hinges on the Amolnama — the actions and governance of those who rise to power. History shows that revolutionary ideals can quickly unravel when leaders fail to deliver on promises, leaving behind disillusionment and fractured memories. 

In vulnerable socio-economic contexts, governing poses immense challenges, and missteps often erode legitimacy. These failures provide opponents with opportunities to tarnish the ideals of the uprising, overshadowing the vision that once inspired millions.

Sociologist Maurice Halbwachs explained that collective memory is shaped by social context, evolving as groups interpret events differently over time. Revolutions rely heavily on this shared memory to sustain their ideals. Leaders and supporters recount stories of sacrifice and hope, reinforcing the movement's legitimacy. 

However, collective memory begins to fracture when those in power fail to uphold the revolution's principles. Marginalised groups and disillusioned citizens seize this opportunity to rewrite history, questioning the movement's legitimacy and alienating its original supporters.

Globally, we see how the actions of leaders reshape revolutionary legacies. Leaders who monopolise credit for movements often alienate allies, deepening divisions and undermining inclusivity. This exclusion damages the collective memory, transforming revolutions from symbols of hope into cautionary tales of disillusionment and missed opportunities.

The Arab Spring highlights how revolutionary ideals can be reshaped. In Egypt, the revolutionary zeal that toppled Hosni Mubarak was overshadowed by the authoritarian resurgence under Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, fracturing the memory of the uprising. 

Similarly, Tunisia's 2011 revolution, initially celebrated for democratic transformation, faced setbacks as authoritarian tendencies under President Kais Saied threatened the uprising's ideals. 

In Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe's early image as a liberator eroded through decades of mismanagement, allowing critics to question the independence struggle. Similarly, the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917, once hailed as a victory for workers' rights, was reframed as a betrayal of socialist ideals due to Stalin's authoritarianism and the Soviet Union's collapse.

In these cases, the Amolnama — the governance of revolutionary leaders — played a critical role in reshaping collective memory. The unity and hope generated by movements gave way to disillusionment, as leaders' actions failed to reflect revolutionary and inclusive values. 

These examples underscore that sustaining legitimacy requires governance rooted in integrity, inclusivity, and alignment with the movement's ideals. Without this, revolutions risk becoming sources of division rather than enduring foundations for unity.

Bangladesh: A legacy of lost opportunities

Bangladesh's political history is a cautionary tale of squandered opportunities for reform. Every people-driven change, no matter how profound, has consistently fallen victim to the failures of those entrusted with the task of nation-building. Since the Liberation War of 1971, the country has witnessed leaders and movements with immense potential faltering under the weight of their own Amolnama.

In 1971, Bangladesh emerged from the liberation war under the leadership of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. However, the hope and unity forged during the struggle for independence began to unravel under his rule. Mujib's vision faltered as his government leaned toward authoritarianism, marked by the introduction of a one-party system under BAKSAL. Political dissent was silenced, and economic mismanagement deepened public discontent. 

Within a few years, popular support eroded, and his legacy became a source of division rather than unity.

His daughter, Sheikh Hasina, the ousted autocratic leader, spent decades attempting to deify her father's memory — often at the expense of the nation's broader democratic ideals and, at times, even its sovereignty during her 15-year-long regime. Her rule became synonymous with repression, killings, enforced disappearances, and violence — including the massacre of thousands of students and citizens during the 2024 mass uprising. 

While her 2008 election victory was initially seen as an opportunity to restore stability, the authoritarianism and fascism that followed dismantled state institutions and created an environment of fear and polarisation. The regime's misdeeds, coupled with its overuse of the rhetoric of Muktijuddher Chetona, have caused the greatest harm to the collective memory of the liberation war.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), currently the dominant and most popular political force, along with its then-ally, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, also squandered past opportunities for reform. Their missteps paved the way for the 1/11 military-backed caretaker government, which ultimately facilitated the Awami League's return to power in 2009. 

The history of Bangladesh is, therefore, marked by a recurring pattern of leaders undermining their legacies, leaving behind a trail of missed opportunities for unity and nation-building.

The 2024 uprising: A moment of reckoning

The mass uprising of 2024 stands as another chance for Bangladesh to rewrite its story. This movement, led by a new generation of youth leaders, has brought about an interim government with the promise of integrity and sincerity. 

For the first time in years, there is hope for reform and a new social contract between the state and its citizens. Yet, this government is not without its challenges. The destruction of state institutions under previous regimes has left the interim administration with limited capacity and experience. 

Its leaders face the monumental task of navigating a broken system while carrying the expectations of a nation desperate for change. Their mistakes are inevitable, not because of a lack of intent but due to the structural barriers they have inherited.

Despite these challenges, we cannot afford to disown this government or its leaders. Their success is our success, and their failure would mean a return to the cycles of division and despair that have defined our history. 

The leaders of the uprising need our guidance and support, even when our ideologies clash. We must help them resist the seduction of power and encourage them to govern with integrity, inclusivity, and a vision rooted in the realities of Bangladesh's socio-political context. 

At the same time, key political forces, such as the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, must revisit their past Amolnama, ensuring that they do not repeat the same patterns of failure. They must acknowledge the fault lines within our society and history, identify the wounds that hinder nation-building, and take proactive steps to heal them. 

In particular, the role of Jamaat-e-Islami during the liberation war of Bangladesh remains an untreated wound. To address this, the party must take concrete actions to reconcile with the past and rebuild trust, ensuring that the vicious cycle of division and mistrust comes to an end. 

Similarly, the BNP must reflect on its time in power, identify its missteps, and address the recent allegations against its grassroots leaders and members. Without this critical self-reflection, it will struggle to regain public confidence. 

The anticipated new political party, led by students, must also understand the entrenched nature of the old political system, critically dissect its shortcomings, and provide a fresh, inclusive vision for nation-building. 

Only through these measures can pro-Bangladeshi political forces break the cycle of past mistakes and shape an Amolnama that is genuinely people-centric.

The July 2024 uprising must be more than a historical milestone; it must become the foundation for lasting reform. By translating its ideals into continuous action and fostering unity despite ideological differences, we can create a future rooted in progress and justice. 

The blood of martyrs and the sacrifices of countless citizens demand that we rise above divisions. Our collective memory must not be manipulated or fractured, but safeguarded as we build a nation that reflects the true spirit of the uprising.

This is our moment to reshape the Amolnama of Bangladesh's governance — one that upholds integrity, inclusivity, and vision. Only by staying true to these values can we fulfil the dream of a just, inclusive Bangladesh, where the welfare of its people is at the heart of governance. 

It is a shared responsibility we must shoulder — for the sake of the nation and its future.

Md Zarif Rahman is a researcher and development practitioner. Currently, he is working as a member and student representative at the Police Reform Commission.

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