From Sri Lanka’s economic crisis protests to Bangladesh’s student-led uprisings, Nepal’s Gen Z demonstrations, and Pakistan’s mass mobilisations, citizens have increasingly used protests, long marches, and civil disobedience to demand accountability, democracy, and justice. These protesters proved that overturning the regime is not impossible.
Over the last two decades, South Asia has repeatedly shown how people’s movements can upend entrenched regimes.
In Sri Lanka, mass protests in 2022 over economic collapse forced President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to resign and flee the country. Bangladesh has seen waves of student-led and opposition-backed protests, including the 2024 anti-government demonstrations that compelled Sheikh Hasina to step down.
Pakistan’s Lawyers’ Movement (2007–08) mobilised civil society, ultimately contributing to Pervez Musharraf’s resignation. Together, these protests highlight the enduring power of resistance as a political force in the region.
Also Read: In Pics: Massive Damage Done To Public Infrastructure During Nepal Protests
The stories of Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Pakistan reveal that South Asian regimes, no matter how entrenched, remain vulnerable to popular unrest.
While some movements brought immediate regime change, others planted the seeds for long-term shifts in governance and democratic accountability.
The common thread is that economic crises, authoritarian overreach, and suppression of rights often ignite mass mobilisation. These uprisings not only reflect public frustration but also highlight the region’s evolving political consciousness, where street power continues to shape history as much as ballot boxes.
Images: Google Images
Sources: The Indian Express, The Times of India, Hindustan Times
Find the blogger: Katyayani Joshi
This post is tagged under: South Asia Politics, Protest Movements, Regime Change, Democracy In Action, People Power, Civil Society, South Asia History, Political Change, Human Rights, Voice Of The People, Protest To Power, Global Democracy, Asian Politics, Citizen Uprisings, Social Movements
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