The Forgotten Heroes of Bangladesh's Revolution: A Fight for Justice Beyond the Streets
Istiaque Doza
Remote Ethical Marketing Consultant to NGOs🌍 | Ecopreneur 🌿 | 🌐 Keyboard Activist ⌨️✨
AI Disclosure
I wrote this with care and included my personal thoughts and experiences, along with information gathered and organized with the help of AI tools. The tools were used for research and to synthesize data. But the narrative and opinions expressed are mine.
General Disclaimer
My opinions are my own, and not anyone else’s, anywhere. This is meant to be a conversation starter, so comment civilly.
Justice and Accountability
Summer 2024. Bangladesh. It was a moment of reckoning in the country’s history: a time when student protesters’ blood stained the streets, their bravery in challenging an oppressive regime.
The revolution that toppled President Sheikh Hasina was touted as a victory for democracy and equality.
Revolutions are messy.
Taking out a leader is one thing; healing a broken nation is another.
This will leave scars that may never heal. For the brave young heroes who marched into the fray, their broken bodies are permanent reminders of their courage. For the women who endured unimaginable brutality—many whose stories are still untold, hidden in the shadows of shame and silence. And for the families who have buried their loved ones—children, siblings, parents—caught in the crossfire of a struggle that demanded everything. These are not just personal tragedies; they are the national wounds of a country fighting for its very soul.
For them, the revolution is over. Theirs is a life of struggle to survive. They are poor. Their bodies are not. And for many, their future ambitions have been crushed forever due to the bodily and mental trauma they were subjected to.
The worst part of this crisis is the hopelessness it has created.
The transitional government, led by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus, told them their sacrifices would not be in vain. They were promised fair compensation, advanced medical care, and rehabilitation. Months have passed, and in many cases, those promises are being broken. The complex medical treatment and rehabilitation they need to get their lives back are out of reach.
Many of these injuries are treatable. They need time, specific therapy, and, most importantly, a government that will provide it.
The families I’ve seen on social media platforms feel abandoned. They think the government is leaving them to fend for themselves, their struggles ignored. These families deserve everything we can give them—a chance to rebuild their lives and their dignity.
What’s Being Offered?
The transitional government is offering money to cover medical expenses—at one lakh Taka (approximately $1,000). This is the cost of a month in the hospital (Source: Daily Star).
This may sound like a lot, but it’s nothing for those with severe or permanent injuries. Our brave revolution heroes will need at least two to five years of treatment and care. Basic therapy and counseling, essential for recovery, are out of reach due to a huge shortage of trained professionals and resources.
The gap between promises and reality is vast, leaving many revolutionaries without the care they need. Without proper short-term and long-term planning, there will be a critical shortage of rehabilitation services. Our injured heroes face permanent disability—physically, mentally, and socially—if their access to care is limited to short-sighted, outpatient treatments.
The government must provide real treatment options. Token gestures and press conferences aren’t just damaging its credibility—they’re condemning the victims of the old regime to a lifetime of suffering.
Is It Intentional?
Conspiracy theories are spreading, raising unsettling questions. Is this neglect intentional? Is it a strategy to discourage future uprisings?
I don’t believe this neglect is intentional—at least not from Dr. Yunus or most of the advisors in the transitional government. They seem genuinely committed to rebuilding the country. But remnants of the old regime still hold positions they shouldn’t, and it’s hard to ignore the possibility that they’re quietly getting in the way.
History offers troubling parallels. During the 2019–2020 Hong Kong protests, injured demonstrators were systematically neglected. Some were even told by hospital staff to “protest if they wanted to.” It wasn’t incompetence—it was strategy. The message was clear: protests come with a price, and we won’t heal you.
For corrupt individuals who thrived under the previous regime, revolutions are dangerous. They fear what the injured heroes represent: the power of the people to demand change. Neglecting these wounded fighters might just be their way of discouraging any future uprisings—a quiet warning that revolutions come at a steep, lasting cost.
The fact that this question even exists is deeply troubling. If this neglect is being used as a silent warning, it sets a dangerous precedent: even the bravest acts of civic resistance will be met with indifference and suffering. Such tactics threaten the very foundation of a just and equitable society.
To truly honor the revolution, the transitional government must confront these lingering forces of corruption. This isn’t just about treating the injured—it’s about dismantling the systems that allowed this neglect to happen in the first place. Only then can we ensure that revolutions are met with respect, not repression and that the sacrifices of the brave will not be in vain.
What Can Be Done?
The wounded revolutionaries didn’t just fight for themselves—they fought for all of us. If we fail to prioritize their care, we risk losing everything they fought for. Turning our backs on them now isn’t just neglect—it’s a betrayal of the justice and equality they bled to uphold. Both the government and the people of Bangladesh have a role to play in ensuring these sacrifices are honored.
For the Government
Rethink Compensation: One lakh Taka is not enough—not for those with injuries that will define their lives. The government must step up and provide meaningful financial support that reflects the real costs of recovery.
Provide Advanced Medical Care: Injured revolutionaries shouldn’t be stuck waiting for care. The government must fast-track access to treatment, even if it means bringing in international expertise.
Invest in Rehabilitation: Physical therapy, counseling, and vocational training aren’t luxuries—they’re necessities. The government must establish centers to help the injured rebuild their lives.
Root Out Corruption: The remnants of the old regime must be removed. Their influence obstructs progress and undermines the revolution’s ideals.
Be Transparent: Establish a public fund for the injured and report its operations openly to rebuild trust and accountability.
For the People
For the Diaspora: Platforms like GoFundMe offer a unique opportunity for the global Bangladeshi community to raise funds directly for the injured. The diaspora has always played a key role in national causes, and this is no exception.
Innovate with Cryptocurrency and NFTs: Use blockchain technology to securely fundraise, with proceeds from NFTs inspired by the revolution going directly to the injured.
Amplify Their Voices: Keep the stories of the injured alive. Share their struggles on social media and in communities to ensure they remain in the national conversation.
Demand Accountability: Hold the government to its promises. Peaceful protests, petitions, and advocacy can push for real action.
Offer Direct Support: Donations, volunteering, or simply reaching out to a family in need can make a big difference.
A Moral Failure We Can’t Commit
If we abandon these brave individuals, we fail them, ourselves, and the vision of a better Bangladesh. Their injuries are not just personal tragedies—they are sacrifices for our freedom. Honoring them is not just a moral obligation—it’s the foundation of the society we aspire to build.
This revolution must be more than words. It must be action, accountability, and a better tomorrow. Let’s rise to the occasion and give them the future they fought so hard for.
PS.
As I write about the wounded heroes of our revolution and the need for justice, I am reminded that this is just one part of the larger picture we need to fix to build a better Bangladesh. Over the past year - and mostly after the regime fell, I’ve written about various aspects of governance, social reform, and the challenges we face as a nation. If you liked this, please check out some of my other writings on these related issues.
Recommended Articles:
From the People: A Case for Inclusive Governance in Bangladesh
Youth Power: The Driving Force Behind Political Change in Bangladesh
Fighting Corruption: A Call for Clean and Efficient Passport Services
The Power of Three: A New Approach to Governance in Bangladesh and Beyond
Breaking Free: How Outdated Financial Caps Are Holding Back Bangladesh
Embracing Global Business: Unlocking Economic Growth for Bangladeshi Entrepreneurs
Together, these articles paint a broader picture of the challenges we face as a nation and the opportunities we have to overcome them. I hope you’ll join me in continuing this conversation and working toward a better Bangladesh.