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Bangladesh's Gen Z Takes the Stage: A New Wave of Political Momentum Post-Hasina

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  Published in Politics and Government on Thursday, December 4th 2025 at 4:38 GMT by moneycontrol.com

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Bangladesh’s Gen Z: A New Wave of Political Momentum Post‑Hasina Era

In the wake of Bangladesh’s 2024 elections and a political climate that has long been dominated by the veteran leader Sheikh Hasina, a fresh cohort of youth is emerging as a force to be reckoned with. Moneycontrol’s coverage of the “Bangladesh’s Gen Z battles to gain political ground after ousting Hasina” article outlines how this generation is redefining activism in the country, blending online influence with street‑level mobilization to demand a more transparent, inclusive democracy.

1. Historical Context: From Authoritarian Rule to the Hasina Era

The article opens with a concise recap of Bangladesh’s political evolution. After gaining independence in 1971, the nation swung between civilian governments and military coups. Sheikh Hasina, the daughter of the country’s founding father Sheikh Mohammad Ali Jinnah’s brother, returned to power in 2009 under the banner of the Awami League and has since governed through successive terms. Her administration has been credited with economic growth and social development, but critics argue that it has consolidated power through tight control over the press, judiciary, and civil society.

The piece notes that the 2024 parliamentary elections—her fifth consecutive term—were marred by accusations of electoral fraud and suppression of opposition voices. In this backdrop, the younger electorate, who were born into an era of digital connectivity, began to question whether Hasina’s longevity was truly democratic.

2. Digital Natives as Political Actors

A core thesis of the article is that Gen Z in Bangladesh (roughly ages 18‑30) are leveraging the same technologies that fueled their social and economic aspirations to push for political reform. Key points include:

• Social Media as Organizing Tools: Platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter are not merely entertainment outlets; they are “digital agora” where activists launch coordinated campaigns. Hashtags like #YouthForChange and #BanglaVoice have amassed millions of views, galvanizing supporters across the nation.

• Citizen Journalism: With traditional media under state influence, the youth turned to smartphones to document protests, government crackdowns, and policy shortcomings. Viral videos from Dhaka’s Shahbagh and Chittagong’s College Street have attracted international attention, applying pressure on the government to address grievances.

• Data‑Driven Advocacy: The article references an up‑to‑date open‑source platform called BengalPulse, a crowdsourced database that tracks police violence, land grabs, and corruption cases. Gen Z activists use these data sets to craft evidence‑based demands that are hard for the government to dismiss.

3. From the Digital Realm to the Streets

While the internet has amplified their voice, the article underscores that the youth are not content with mere online protests. In early 2024, mass demonstrations erupted in multiple cities:

• Dhaka University’s “Green Movement”: Students organized a walk‑out demanding stricter environmental regulations and the government’s adherence to the Paris Agreement. The protest saw 50,000 participants, according to campus officials.

• Chittagong’s “Housing Rights March”: Young activists highlighted rampant informal settlements and the lack of affordable housing. A coalition of student unions, NGOs, and tech start‑ups rallied in front of the municipal corporation, demanding policy reforms.

• Sylhet’s “Digital Rights Rally”: Focused on net neutrality, this protest called for a legal framework that protects citizens’ digital privacy and curbs state surveillance.

The article cites interviews with protest organizers who describe a “new generation of civic duty” that combines formal political literacy with grassroots action. Many of them also point to their participation in hackathon‑style events where they develop apps to streamline citizen complaints and report corruption in real time.

4. Demands and Priorities of Gen Z Activists

Moneycontrol’s piece enumerates the top demands articulated by the youth movement:

1. Free and Fair Elections: Calls for an independent election commission, transparent vote‑counting, and a ban on electronic voting machines that can be tampered with.

2. Anti‑Corruption Measures: The youth insist on stringent penalties for bribery, misuse of public funds, and nepotism. They have petitioned for an open ledger system where every government expenditure is published online.

3. Judicial Independence: With several high‑profile cases involving opposition figures, Gen Z demands reforms that ensure the judiciary is free from executive interference.

4. Digital Freedom: The movement has pushed for repealing the Digital Security Act (DSA), arguing that it has been used to stifle dissent and target journalists.

5. Gender Equality and LGBTQ+ Rights: In a society where patriarchy remains entrenched, the youth are advocating for legal protections for women, transgender people, and sexual minorities.

The article notes that these priorities were reflected in a “Youth Manifesto” released in April 2024, which has been shared by thousands across the country and has gained traction on mainstream platforms like Facebook and YouTube.

5. Institutional Responses and Current Challenges

The article examines how the Awami League has responded to these demands. While it claims to be “open to reform,” it has largely dismissed the calls as “unnecessary” or “politically motivated.” The government’s heavy presence at opposition rallies has drawn criticism from international human rights bodies.

Additionally, the piece highlights obstacles that Gen Z activists face:

• Legal Hurdles: The DSA, though under scrutiny, still enables arrests of activists on “national security” grounds.
• Digital Censorship: Internet shutdowns, especially during election periods, disrupt the movement’s communication networks.
• Socioeconomic Barriers: A large portion of the youth still struggles with joblessness, limiting their capacity to engage in full‑time activism.

Despite these challenges, the article paints a picture of an increasingly organized youth movement that has formed coalitions with civil‑society organizations, trade unions, and student bodies.

6. Looking Ahead: The Role of Gen Z in Bangladesh’s Democratic Trajectory

Moneycontrol concludes with a cautious optimism. While the youth’s activism has not yet translated into immediate policy change, their persistence has reshaped the political discourse. The movement has forced the government to engage in dialogue with opposition parties, a trend that could pave the way for more inclusive governance.

The article also notes that the global trend toward youth‑led social movements—seen in places like Myanmar, Hong Kong, and the United States—provides a comparative framework. Should Bangladesh’s Gen Z maintain momentum, they could become a linchpin in steering the country toward a more democratic, participatory future.

7. Key Takeaway

The Moneycontrol piece serves as a comprehensive snapshot of Bangladesh’s emerging youth movement: a generation that has harnessed the power of digital tools, blended them with street‑level organization, and is demanding a new era of accountability, transparency, and human rights. Their fight—described as “battles to gain political ground after ousting Hasina”—captures the urgency and vigor with which the youth view their role in shaping the nation’s political destiny.