In the 15 years under Hasina's fascist regime, one act of resistance stands out as a remarkable testament to the courage and audacity of activism.

It was, in my view, the protest organized by the activist Ratul Mohammad and his comrades in Shahbagh, where they slaughtered cows to mark the arrival of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2021.

Given the place, the time, the political landscape, and the overwhelming power they were confronting, this act wasn’t merely symbolic—it was nothing short of an act of defiance akin to standing with arms outstretched in front of the barrel by Abu Sayed during the July uprising.

I had been following Ratul’s writings regularly during that period. To call him a madman might sound harsh, but you can't be a true activist without being, at times, a little unhinged.

History is never changed by those who remain calm and composed. It is the passionate, the unrelenting, the fearless—those who challenge the status quo with bold, even reckless acts—who bring about change.

Around 2020-2021, Ratul posted a status that made many pause: “I could walk through the streets of Dhaka naked without a care.”

It was an absurd, almost provocative statement, yet it captured a certain defiance that resonated deeply with the reality of the time.

In the face of Hasina’s relentless oppression, the nation was silent, indifferent, its spirit almost extinguished.

In such a state, what difference does it make if we are dressed or undressed, if we are human or cattle? The essence of human dignity seemed to have disappeared in the shadow of this tyranny.

At the time, the surreal nature of his words didn’t seem out of place. For, in the face of such desolation, there was no clearer way to depict a nation stripped of its vitality.

If 2024 hadn't arrived, we would have remained small, lost in our own sense of inadequacy.

But now, with the revolution ignited, the collective courage, protest, and resistance of the Bengali people in 2024 not only stands as a beacon for this nation but also as an inspiration for the oppressed across the world.

The rebellious spirit of July uprising

A blaze may roar to life with a fierce intensity, but it is never extinguished quickly.

"There’s a storm inside my chest, and I’ve braced for the gunfire." The storm within isn’t easily quelled, especially not when standing face-to-face with the power of the state.

This storm, this July uprising, has manifested in every corner of the country. Wherever injustice rears its head, there is protest, there is struggle, there is resistance.

Even in the aftermath of 1971, the country struggled to stabilize, to find its footing.

Challenging an establishment that seeks to crush the individual spirit is never simple. To defy those in power, to put your life on the line for your beliefs—that is no easy task.

How could anyone expect to bind such people with the chains of rules and discipline?

Yet, as we navigate this tumultuous path forward, we must acknowledge the need to temper this hyper-activism.

For the greater good of the nation, and our own future, we must rein in this endless cycle of protest. Endless demonstrations, blockades, and activism can only take us so far.

There is no true heroism in activism that finds shelter under the protection of a government or within the shadow of a weak state.

It’s worth remembering that such activism was also witnessed in the 15 years under Chhatra League’s reign, where they hid behind the police and pretended to stand for the people.

The old battle cry of “If you have courage, come to the country,” once forceful and impassioned, no longer has a place in the rhetoric of Chhatra League.

These words have now been claimed by a new breed of hyper-activists, whose voices echo louder in the streets.

True revolution, true activism, must rise above the noise. It must be rooted in the pursuit of tangible change—not just the spectacle of rebellion.

The fight for justice is not simply about standing up against oppression but about building the future—creating a nation where activism gives way to progress.

It is time to move beyond the theatrics of protest and embrace the work that will truly shape our destiny.

Moving beyond protests to productivity

Revolutionaries are never found in victory parades. They do not seek shelter under the cloak of the powerful.

True revolutionaries always stand alongside the oppressed, the downtrodden, and the marginalized, staring defiantly into the burning, piercing eyes of the powerful.

During the 2024 movement, I was on the streets of Basila from July 18th.

The death of Abu Sayed left an indelible mark on me, and I still feel the deep sorrow whenever I watch his death video. His words haunted me during the victory celebration on the 5th, and tears continued to flow from my eyes.

Abu Sayed's death, like the deaths of so many others, did not allow me to remain idle. On the 20th, I returned home with a second life—one that was marked by the first case filed in Hasina’s name, and the memory of our martyr from Basila etched into my soul.

Surviving the lethal bullet shot from the hole in the wall of the Rayerbazar intellectual cemetery was nothing short of sheer luck.

I had never shared any pictures, videos, or stories of my activism. Not even with my family. But on the 5th, it ended—Hasina became what she is, and my activism also transformed.

I wouldn’t say my activism is over; rather, my activism now lies in doing my own work better than ever.

Dr. Yunus, after taking power, once said that the true form of patriotism—perhaps the most effective activism—is to do one’s job properly.

Thanks to Prothom Alo, our generation grew up hearing the phrase “I hate politics,” and many lamented its effect.

There were fears that if the good people, the younger generation, didn't step into politics, everything would fall into the hands of the corrupt. Such discussions were ubiquitous.

But now, in 2025, an entire generation is politically aware. Not only that, but they’ve also become active participants in activism, drawing other generations into political involvement.

Following the rise in criminal activity after August 5th, a viral dialogue emerged: “I do politics in the day, chase robbers away at night.” This single line encapsulates the political awakening of our generation.

A message scrawled on the walls of Dhaka reads: “True freedom is when the government fears the people.”

To ensure the government remains accountable and prevents it from becoming oppressive, political awareness is essential. However, for the country's betterment and prosperity, we don’t need an overwhelming number of politicians.

Politics is not a profession; it is not a productive endeavor in itself. The true role of politicians is to drive productive individuals and efforts.

Politicians and bureaucrats, in essence, perform similar functions—they serve the people, especially those involved in productivity.

The true development of a nation is intrinsically tied to its productivity. The more productive the people, the more prosperous and developed the nation.

To guide this productive force in the right direction, we need people-friendly administrations and patriotic politicians.

Hence, we don’t need an overwhelming number of politicians; we need a nation of productive individuals who will guide the country to true progress and prosperity through their work and contributions.

The new politics from 2024 uprising

In our time, the excitement was all about the BCS exam. But for the generation of 2024, the focus should shift towards business.

Those who are stubborn, determined, and independent-minded excel in business—and this generation has already demonstrated these traits. Now, the challenge is to channel that stubbornness and independence into positive, productive endeavors.

It’s undoubtedly a good thing for students to become involved in politics. We also desire positive political change, with good people governing us.

However, alongside creating coordinators in every district, police station, and neighborhood, these individuals should also be trained as businessmen and professionals.

When politics becomes a profession for some, the temptation to take shortcuts or engage in unethical behavior increases.

While we should absolutely engage in politics and stay politically aware, we must simultaneously invest in productive work and gain the ability to support ourselves and our families.

“Don’t rely on flattery, grow through hard work”—this slogan from 2024 deeply inspires me. An entire movement is built on this foundation.

The days of politics driven by sycophancy and opportunistic alliances are over. Those who use politics as a means to secure personal gain will be discarded by the people.

Let the politics of 2024 be about giving, not taking. For this to happen, every politician must have financial stability and the capacity to sustain themselves and their families.

In the early semesters of our BBA program in Jahangirnagar University, we studied a course called "Society, Business, and Politics"—or “SOK,” as we referred to it.

This course was taught because business and politics are inseparable. Political events deeply influence business, so it’s essential for businesspeople and managers to be politically aware.

Thanks to 2024, we now have, by default, a politically conscious generation. Our next task is to leverage this awareness and channel it into our business ventures, connecting it to productivity.

Brothers and sisters, return to your workplaces and improve your work. This is our politics, our activism at this moment.

If we truly want the welfare of this country, we must tie ourselves to productivity. This country is ours—we brought it independence, and now it’s our duty to build it. Let’s grow through hard work, not sycophancy.

—

Sagor Hasnath is a former government employee turned-entrepreneur