The Unsung Heroes of July Revolution

People like us who were lucky to live through the July revolution, experienced and witnessed things unheard of in the history of this small piece of land we so lovingly call Bangladesh. The students united for a just cause, only demanding for their rights which led to the fall of a fascist regime and the conquest of the failed state by the people. All of us were vouching for it, and the movement became widespread, showing levels of inclusivity that had never happened before in Bangladesh. After the dust has settled, now is the time to reflect upon one of the most intriguing episodes of this movement, which is the actively vigilant participation of the rickshaw-pullers in the July revolution.

Let's take a look back on the events of July 2024. After the protests broke out and spread like wildfire across the country, people from all walks of life joined hand in hand raising voices against the regime. In the usual riot neutralizing manner, the law enforcement agencies opened fire at the protesters. And none other than our rickshaw-puller brethren came forward to help us carry the injured to nearby hospitals. When all help was cut down, they risked their life for the people falling on the streets. Anyone who was in the field during the demonstrations would relate to this.

They acted as our eyes and ears in the streets during the government enforced internet blackout across the country, conveying messages and news to different parts of the city. Warning people about the strongholds of police and Awami League goons and carrying the protesters to the hotspots safely was a job well done by our rickshawala mamas. Reports came from all around the country proclaiming that our rickshaw-puller brothers would often charge less or no money from the protesters. Such a gesture from a group of low-income people while the country was hitting record-high inflation rates is an act of gallantry by itself. The streets were empty, passengers few, earnings were scarce yet it didn't stop them from joining the revolution holding their lives at stake.

One rickshaw puller was shot outside a hospital in Jatrabari by the police in his legs until the bones were crushed, ensuring that he won't be able to work again. His crime? He brought a bullet wounded student there. He kept begging the officers to forgive him. But the officers  were too dutiful to let such a criminal slide away! Thus the rough punishment. Another rickshaw puller was shot dead in the same area of the capital who still remains unidentified.

On August 3rd, when the student-led anti-quota movement peaked demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, to our amusement we witnessed dozens of rickshaw pullers gathering at Shaheed Minar. They came to show their solidarity with the revolutionaries, all chanting in unison "Dofa ek daabi ek, khuni Hasinar podotyag." (One point, One demand, we want the resignation of Killer Hasina.) "Rokter bonnay, veshe jaabe onnay." (The rush of blood shall perish all injustice). Scenes at the Central Shaheed Minar that day were awe-inspiring. On August 4, Hasina and his forces orchestrated a bloodbath around the country killing more than a hundred men on a single day. All hell broke lose but our rickshaw puller brothers with their nerves of steel, somehow managed to ply on the streets getting wounded survivors to safe shores.

Finally, Sheikh Hasina fled the country on the 5th of August and the people of Bangladesh achieved their long cherished goal of uprooting the autocracy. Bangladesh 2.0 was born. But the saddening thing is we keep forgetting the people who stood by our side wreathed in blood. Life is slowly going back to normal but we are yet to recognize the contributions of the masses, specially of the people who have no strong voice to express their situation. Rickshaw-pullers belong to that part of our society. It's time we acknowledged their part in the mass uprising. We have to keep writing about all the people that lost their limbs, their source of income, and the unfortunate ones who lost their lives. We must build a country that'll look after its people, irrespective of caste and creed. May the spirit of the revolution live forever. Inquilab Zindabad!

 
Sajid Hasan is a student in Department of International Relations, Dhaka University.