July Memory: DPS Apurba shares how Bangladesh’s meme creators became voices of truth-tellers

Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretary Apurba Jahangir has said Bangladesh's meme community has shown that satire is not just about jokes, it is about truth, courage and community.

Meme pages, once seen as hubs for light-hearted humor, transformed into platforms of "protest and solidarity."

"In the face of violent crackdowns by the authoritarian Awami League government during the Quota Reform protests and the July Uprising, these meme creators emerged as unexpected truth-tellers," he said, recalling moments around this time last year, reports UNB.

As Bangladesh's youths flooded the streets demanding reform in July last year, Apurba said, a parallel resistance was unfolding, not on avenues or campuses, but in the comment sections and timelines of Facebook.

"Bangladesh MEME community, take a bow! This country will always be grateful," Apurba said, stressing that Bangladesh's meme movement is more than a moment, it is a message and that message was heard loud.

He said fear was turned into punchlines, and propaganda was met with digital resistance that gave people courage.

These meme pages did more than mock authority—they built communities, Apurba said, revisiting July events.

"They became digital support networks, sharing real-time updates, organising help, and offering critical information to those involved in the protests," said the Deputy Press Secretary.

In many ways, he said, they served a role similar to that of Shadhin Bangla Betar during the 1971 Liberation War, a "decentralised source of hope and solidarity."

Some memes even made their way onto walls as graffiti, showing how online resistance spilled into the physical world, Apurba said.

After the protests, when devastating floods hit the Feni-Noakhali districts, this same network of meme pages raised over Tk 1,700,000 to support those affected.

"It was a powerful expression of patriotism—young people using their platforms to help in a time of national crisis," Apurba said.

"Often, we fail to recognise how cultural expressions can define political movements. But this generation did. They knew memes weren't just for fun—they were forms of protest, critique, coordination and strength," he added.

In a media environment dominated by censorship and fear, Apurba said, these meme pages kept people informed, engaged, and connected.

"They showed a new way of participating in civic life—one shaped by the digital world," he said.

Their actions are a reminder that resistance does not always come as protests or headlines.

"Sometimes, it's a viral meme. Sometimes, it's a safe space in a comment thread. Sometimes, it's a page admin staying up all night to confirm information and keep people updated," Apurba said.

This movement may have started online, he added, noting that it was grounded in real compassion, real effort and real unity.

"It's a testament to the dedication and love that Bangladeshi youth have for their country," Apurba said.