An insider-outsider to my own country: a reflection on the 22-day uprising of Bangladeshi Students.
In July 2024, Bangladesh faced political upheaval following the Supreme Court’s reinstatement of a controversial job quota system. This meant that a significant portion of government jobs would be reserved for the descendants of the veterans who fought for Bangladesh’s independence in 1971. This triggered nationwide protests, led by students demanding a more just and merit-based system. The unrest escalated with the government's violent crackdowns, resulting in widespread chaos, mass arrests, and over 700 deaths, garnering international attention. The protests ended in the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who had been in power for 15 years.
Rut or Renaissance? The aftermath of Kazakhstan’s most violent riots yet
Kazakhstan, with a population of only 20 million, has had a relatively uneventful recent history. Up until the riots in 2022 that ousted the president in power since its independence 30 years ago. Initially the product of pent-up frustration with the ineffective government, the demonstrations shook the young nation to the core and redefined Kazakh identity for the population.