Summary of the Article on Rafe Salman Rifat and the July Uprising in Bangladesh:
The July Uprising was a pivotal event in Bangladesh’s history, leading to the overthrow of the autocratic rule of Sheikh Hasina after nearly 16 years. Rafe Salman Rifat, a former student leader from Dhaka University and current instructor at United International University, played a crucial role in galvanizing students for protests that swept the nation. His experiences provide deep insight into contemporary Bangladeshi politics and the fight against fascism.
In an interview, Rifat shares his background, including his initial involvement with the United Peoples’ Bangladesh and his leadership roles in the National Citizens’ Committee and the Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir student wing. He refutes claims that Shibir was banned on campus, pointing out the targeted repression they faced from the ruling Awami League following their rise to power.
Rifat discusses key movements he participated in, including the 2018 quota reform protests and the subsequent mass uprising in 2024, which eventually led to Hasina’s downfall. He elaborates on strategic decisions during the protests, such as the formulation of a nine-point demand and later a one-point demand for Hasina’s resignation, emphasizing the necessity for sustained momentum throughout the uprising.
Rifat reflects on the psychological impact of witnessing violence during the protests, noting that the movement was both a political battle and a fight for the citizens’ souls. He argues for a comprehensive political reform post-uprising, condemning the entrenched culture of corruption and advocating for an anti-fascist charter among political parties.
He concludes by stressing the importance of this uprising as a starting point for a broader movement aimed at reconstructing Bangladesh’s political landscape, viewing it as a struggle not just against dictatorship, but for the future of the nation.
