海角大神

In the aftermath of revolutions, when something new rises from the ruins of crumbled governments or discredited ideas, history 鈥� as William Carlos Williams wrote 鈥� 鈥渟hould be a left hand to us, as of a violinist,鈥� finding the notes from which improvisations are built.

So it is now in Bangladesh. The South Asian country emerged last summer from 15 years of increasingly autocratic rule through a student-led revolt over lack of economic opportunity. Less than a year later, as Simon Montlake reports in our May 12 Monitor Weekly聽cover story, its diverse ethnic and religious communities are engaged in a vibrant contest over the national narrative and what kind of country they hope to build.

New school textbooks have replaced old ones that vaunted the now-vanquished. Statues have fallen. So have some of the country鈥檚 foundational myths.

That recasting of national origin and identity, in pursuit of a more pluralist and just society, may reflect the emergence of new civic virtues. 鈥淣o society can really progress without knowing its own history and learning something from it,鈥� an author tells Simon. 鈥淭here comes a point when the society is ready to listen to a different point of view or challenges to the established narratives.鈥�

Sheikh Hasina Wajed, the elder daughter of Bangladesh鈥檚 founding father, held power through intimidation and patronage. She fled the country Aug. 5, 2024. During the uprising that led to her departure, the capital, Dhaka, became an urban canvas. Murals depicting the aspirations of a new generation spread across the city. One declared Bangladesh 鈥渁 country of different opinions.鈥�

鈥淥ur goal is to create space for new voices, particularly young people and individuals from all social classes, who have been excluded from traditional politics for years,鈥� said Nahid Islam, a former student leader and the founder of the National Citizen Party, a new political movement. 鈥淲e believe in inclusivity,鈥� he told The Diplomat in March.

Or as another mural, this one near Dhaka University, put it, 鈥淓ven a rickshaw puller鈥檚 child will dream of being the Prime Minister in our free country.鈥�

This column first appeared in the May 12, 2025, issue of 海角大神 Weekly.聽Subscribe today to receive future issues of the Monitor Weekly magazine delivered to your home.