The July Revolution of 2024 uncovered rampant corruption in Bangladesh, primarily through the deeply flawed government job quota system, which favored nepotism over merit. The movement escalated into violent clashes, resulting in over 2,000 deaths, with protesters facing brutal crackdowns from law enforcement. Under increasing pressure, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned, marking a significant turning point in the country’s history.
Among the most poignant symbols of the revolution were two young students who had lost a classmate, shot by police during the protests. On the day of his death, they rushed him to the hospital, their shirts stained with his blood. In a powerful act of remembrance, the students wore the same blood-stained shirts on Victory Day, on August 5. This time, the words “We got justice” were written across the fabric as a reminder of their grief and the triumph of their cause. Once soaked in tragedy, the shirts symbolized the people’s resilience and the justice they fought for.
