Young Bangladeshis are rallying against their current government using the same cultural tools that helped remove Sheikh Hasina from power. In July 2024, rapper Muhammad Shezan's song Kotha Ko resonated with protesters after the death of Abu Sayed during protests against Hasina's administration. Public anger escalated, leading to intense demonstrations and Hasina’s eventual flight to India. A year later, Shezan released Huddai Hutashe, criticizing corrupt leaders in post-Hasina Bangladesh. Cultural expressions, including rap and memes, have become vital for engaging politically and demanding accountability in the new political landscape.
"On July 16, 2024, as security forces launched a brutal crackdown on student protesters campaigning against then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's increasingly authoritarian government, Bangladeshi rapper Muhammad Shezan released a song."
"Shezan's Kotha Ko, along with a song by another rapper, Hannan Hossain Shimul, became anthems for that movement, culminating in Hasina fleeing Bangladesh for India in August."
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