The Language of Uprising: Multi-Layered Linguistic Practices During the July 2024 Movement in Bangladesh

Abstract

The July 2024 uprising in Bangladesh was not only a political crisis but also a profound linguistic event. Protest mobilisation unfolded through a layered repertoire of Bangla, English, religious idioms, revolutionary slogans, and global activist vocabulary. This article examines how language shaped political meaning, collective identity, and justice claims during the uprising. Grounded in sociolinguistics, critical discourse analysis, and decolonial language theory, it analyses key protest terms such as quota, boishommo, fascist, inqilab, zindabad, zalem, mozlum, nipirito, azadi, insaf, Bangla blockade, and March to Dhaka. Drawing on media coverage, protest slogans, social media posts, and public statements, the study argues that multilingual protest discourse reflects Bangladesh’s layered political history and contemporary struggles over power and legitimacy. Recognising protest language as political knowledge, the article highlights its central role in democratic participation, resistance, and post-uprising memory formation.

Mother Language, 2026; 10(1): 35-56