Bangladesh marks Hasina’s ouster with mass rallies and concerts

On Tuesday, massive crowds filled the streets of Dhaka with flags, placards, and chants to mark the first anniversary of the 2024 uprising that forced Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina into exile.

The day’s events featuring rallies, concerts, and prayers are expected to culminate in the announcement of the 'July Declaration,' a roadmap for democratic reform under the leadership of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus.

"Together, we will build a Bangladesh where tyranny will never rise again," Yunus said in a message to the nation a year after protests forced Hasina to flee to neighbouring India, as he paid tribute to those who sacrificed their lives.

He pledged to hold free and fair elections by early next year and emphasized that trials for those responsible for the 'July killings' were already underway.

Despite the festive mood in many parts of the capital, some citizens expressed skepticism about real change. “Even after all the sacrifice, true democracy still feels far away,” said Sabbir Ahmed, a student from Jamalpur.

Security forces remained on high alert, with armoured vehicles patrolling key locations in anticipation of unrest, particularly from members of the now-banned Awami League.

In a rare open letter, former Prime Minister Hasina insisted she had never stepped down and vowed to rebuild the nation. “We will rise again,” she wrote, warning supporters not to let the anniversary serve only as a retrospective.

The upcoming 'July Declaration' has drawn support from major political parties, including the BNP, but critics remain cautious, warning that without legal and institutional support, the reforms could remain symbolic.

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