Why Did They Join?: Understanding the Protesters of Bangladeshâs July Uprising
In: Journal of Bangladesh StudiesSearch for other papers by Saimum Parvez in
Current site
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Abstract
Why do individuals risk their lives to protest under authoritarian regimes, even in the face of brutal repression? This article investigates the paradox of political activism under severe state violence by examining the July Uprising in Bangladesh. Drawing on repression literature and theories of political mobilization, the study addresses a critical gap: the mechanisms through which repression catalyzes â not suppresses â collective action. While existing scholarship has explored the effects of repression and tactical shifts in dissent, it has largely overlooked the emotional and moral dimensions that drive backlash mobilization. This article proposes a framework that traces the progression from repression to mobilization. It argues that indiscriminate violence during the July Uprising â including mass killings, kneecapping, and blinding â triggered intense emotional responses, fostered solidarity, and reinforced group identity among both politically active and previously disengaged individuals. These dynamics transformed bystanders into protesters, creating a moral imperative to resist. The study also highlights the role of long-standing grievances â such as enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and judicial repression â in shaping the moral landscape that culminated in the uprising. Through qualitative analysis of interviews, media reports, and firsthand accounts, the article demonstrates that repression can provoke emotional and ethical reactions that override fear, leading to widespread mobilization. This study contributes to repression scholarship by illuminating the mechanisms through which repression can inadvertently fuel resistance.
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Why Did They Join?: Understanding the Protesters of Bangladeshâs July Uprising
In: Journal of Bangladesh StudiesSearch for other papers by Saimum Parvez in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Abstract
Why do individuals risk their lives to protest under authoritarian regimes, even in the face of brutal repression? This article investigates the paradox of political activism under severe state violence by examining the July Uprising in Bangladesh. Drawing on repression literature and theories of political mobilization, the study addresses a critical gap: the mechanisms through which repression catalyzes â not suppresses â collective action. While existing scholarship has explored the effects of repression and tactical shifts in dissent, it has largely overlooked the emotional and moral dimensions that drive backlash mobilization. This article proposes a framework that traces the progression from repression to mobilization. It argues that indiscriminate violence during the July Uprising â including mass killings, kneecapping, and blinding â triggered intense emotional responses, fostered solidarity, and reinforced group identity among both politically active and previously disengaged individuals. These dynamics transformed bystanders into protesters, creating a moral imperative to resist. The study also highlights the role of long-standing grievances â such as enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and judicial repression â in shaping the moral landscape that culminated in the uprising. Through qualitative analysis of interviews, media reports, and firsthand accounts, the article demonstrates that repression can provoke emotional and ethical reactions that override fear, leading to widespread mobilization. This study contributes to repression scholarship by illuminating the mechanisms through which repression can inadvertently fuel resistance.
| All Time | Past 365 days | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abstract Views | 752 | 752 | 53 |
| Full Text Views | 56 | 56 | 1 |
| PDF Views & Downloads | 134 | 134 | 4 |
