Graffiti vs Regime

The early stages of the quota reform movement in Bangladesh saw the use of a subtle yet powerful language of protest: graffiti. University students, who were at the forefront of the Anti-discriminatory Student Movement that started in July, used public walls and streets to express their anger and frustrations as a potent form of resistance. These expressions, painted boldly in public spaces, became symbols of defiance against an oppressive regime. Slogans like “No signal,” “Pani lagbe pani?” (Do you need water?), and “Desh ta karo baaper na” (The country does not belong to anyone’s father) echoed the frustration of a generation unwilling to be silenced. Who can forget the graffiti “Chaite gelam odhikar, hoye gelam Razakar (We asked for rights and you tagged me as a traitor)”, which was a reflection of the sentiment of youth against the prevailing culture of tagging. For all latest news, follow The Daily Star’s Google News channel. These strong messages helped ignite a movement that ultimately toppled an autocratic government that had ruled with an iron fist for more than 15 years. As the government increasingly restricted free speech, cracked down on political dissent, and implemented internet shutdowns, graffiti became a critical tool for...