In July -August 2024, Bangladesh experienced the “July 36 Uprising,” which was a month-long, student-led movement that began with protests against a contested government job-quota system and grew into nationwide demands for accountability, meritocracy, and justice. A harsh state crackdown resulted in significant casualties and detentions and culminated in the regime’s collapse on August 5, 2024, creating an opening for democratic reform.
This paper is written by Arif Nezami, a Trustee at Preneur Lab Youth & Innovation Trust, and he examines the post-uprising reform process, showing how youth networks and civic-tech initiatives have converted protest momentum into policy engagement, institutional transparency, and participatory governance, making this paper an insightful reflection on how a movement became a roadmap for reform.
About the author
Arif Nezami is a social impact activist, policy advocate, and technology leader dedicated to expanding opportunities for youth, entrepreneurs, and civic leaders. Over the past decade, he has led initiatives blending innovation, community empowerment, and policy reform to tackle key socio-economic challenges. An IVLP alumnus of the U.S. Department of State, Arif has also participated in fellowships with the Friedrich Naumann Foundation, Atlas Network, Hanns-Seidel-Stiftung, ORF America, and others – shaping his global perspective on policy innovation and the use of technology and AI for social progress.