From uprising to celebration: Bangladesh roars in celebration of tyranny's end

The clock was ticking toward 2:25pm today (5 August), as thousands gathered along Manik Mia Avenue in front of the National Parliament to mark the first anniversary of Sheikh Hasina's flight from the country.

Exactly one year ago, in the face of the massive July Uprising, Hasina resigned and fled to India, a moment etched deeply into the nation's collective memory.

The atmosphere was electrifying. People screamed, shouted, and balloons soared overhead as the crowd counted down the exact minute Hasina took off in a military helicopter. The skies were rainy, mirroring the monsoon downpour during last year's uprising— also called the Monsoon Revolution—a day soaked in rain and blood but now remembered with euphoric joy. Today, the mood was different; it was a celebration of freedom, a collective relief and renewed hope.

Vendors like Monira Begum were selling flags by the roadside, she said while many types of flags were available, nothing matched the pride of the Bangladesh flag.

Thousands braved the rain; came with their families—children, daughters, and sons waving flags, faces painted, hearts full of hope.

At precisely 2:25 PM, a familiar chant erupted from the stage and rippled through the crowd: She fled, Sheikh Hasina fled!! This slogan, first shouted in 2024 when news broke of Hasina's escape, was now a celebratory anthem, electrifying the crowd like nothing else.

Among those chanting was Shagor from Shamoli, who said the feeling today was unmatched. "This is the day we got our freedom back from a repressive regime," he said. "We will remain free. No matter how strong the ruler, we will rise and defeat all fascism and autocracy. No one like Hasina will stand before us again."

Beside him was Rofik from Narayanganj, who travelled a long distance to be part of the celebration. "This is an expression of our unity," he said. "If the threat of the fallen regime ever returns, I will stand with the people again, just like in 2024."

The commemoration was marked by a striking visual: dozens of balloons shaped like the military helicopter Sheikh Hasina had boarded to flee were released into the sky. The organizers said the balloons were meant to symbolize her cowardly flight, turning a dark moment into one of triumph. The crowd erupted with excitement, their cheers blending with the misty monsoon air.

However, the celebration was briefly interrupted when some of the colourful smoke bombs released nearby accidentally set one of the balloons on fire. The burning balloon became entangled in an overhead electrical wire, causing sparks and minor panic among the crowd. Volunteers quickly doused the fire, and the disturbance lasted only a few minutes before the festivities resumed undeterred.

Music was a cornerstone of the day's celebration. The rising hip-hop band Chittagong Hip-Hop Food took the stage, performing songs that had become the soundtrack of the uprising. Tracks like "Kotha Ko" and "Awaj Utha" had inspired courage during the darkest days of repression. Their song replicating the popular slogan "We Wanted Our Rights But We Became Rajakar" was a direct response to Sheikh Hasina's notorious slur branding protesters as "Rajakar" — a deeply offensive term referring to collaborators during Bangladesh's Liberation War.

The band's energetic performance electrified the crowd and confirmed that hip-hop had firmly planted its roots in Bangladesh's political and cultural landscape.

Following them was Shezan, one of Bangladesh's most popular rappers, whose song "Kotha Ko" (Speak Up) was considered the anthem of the July Uprising. His arrival sparked chants of his name as the crowd roared in excitement. Performing "Kotha Ko" and other hits, Shezan's music became a victory cry, transforming from an underground resistance anthem into a symbol of national triumph.

As the crowd swelled beyond Manik Mia Avenue into Khamar Bari area, and surrounding streets, more families gathered, all proudly waving flags. Jahangir Hussain from Noakhali, who lives in Uttara Dhaka, shared his feelings of euphoria as he celebrated with his son Maruf. "This is the day we got freedom from Sheikh Hasina," he said, showing a scar on his leg from injuries sustained during the uprising. "It means everything to us."

Amid the music and celebration, the day also held a serious political significance. Soon, Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, the interim government's Chief Advisor, was to deliver the July Declaration  — a formal recognition of the July Uprising as a pivotal event in Bangladesh's history. This declaration was set to be incorporated into the Constitution, ensuring that the sacrifices and victories of the uprising would be remembered and honoured.

As anticipation built, the crowd continued to enjoy the musical fest for now.

Nasima Akhtar, a mother standing with her children, was vibing with Shunno band's music when we spotted her. "Today we celebrate," she said, "but it is also a reminder that as long as we live, this country will remain free. No ruler, no autocrat, no fascist will ever rise again in Bangladesh. If anyone tries — from any party, anyone who wants to be the next Sheikh Hasina — we will resist. We will take to the streets again, just like we did in 2024."