Speakers at a discussion in Dhaka on Wednesday said that nonviolence was more effective than violence, citing the moral high ground gained when protesters absorb state aggression without retaliation.聽
They made the remark at the discussion titled Non-Violent Resistance in Bangladesh in July 2024: Challenging Authoritarianism Through Peaceful Means, which was organised by the Centre for Peace Studies at North South University, in collaboration with the department of political science and sociology at the NSU, said a press release.
The event brought together scholars, students and civic actors to reflect on the power and challenges of peaceful mobilisation in the context of Bangladesh鈥檚 political trajectory.聽
Chaired by NSU vice-chancellor Professor Abdul Hannan Chowdhury, Amr Abdalla, professor emeritus at the University for Peace, Costa Rica, delivered keynote address at the discussion.
Offering a reflective and comparative lecture, Abdalla discussed five key areas: the meaning of nonviolence, its theoretical framework, the context of the July 2024 uprising in Bangladesh, comparative insights from Egypt鈥檚 2011 uprising, and possible futures.
Drawing comparisons between Egypt and Bangladesh, he noted that both movements were youth-led, government-denied, and ultimately confronted state repression.
He warned, however, that the struggle was far from over. 鈥楾he dreams are big,鈥� he said, adding, 鈥楤ut, so is the resistance we must continue to uphold.鈥�
Professor Abdul Hannan Chowdhury highlighted that while independence was won through struggle, the post-liberation period has been marked by a clash of narratives and institutional egos. 鈥榃e鈥檝e built infrastructure but we haven鈥檛 built civic mentalities.鈥�
He emphasised the need for humility, open dialogue, and a mentality rooted in civility, calling nonviolence the best method for action and protest in a developing society.
M Jashim Uddin, director of CPS, moderated the session and emphasised that the nature of the protest in July 2024 was deeply misunderstood by many who assumed it to be confrontational.
He pointed to traditions of nonviolence rooted in spiritual and philosophical values such as forgiveness and unity.
Referencing Ghaffar Khan, Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi in the conflict resolution studies, Jashim Uddin argued that Bangladesh must build systems that foster nonviolent civic behaviour as part of national development.
Moreover, he also announced that CPS was currently working on launching certificate courses focused on conflict resolution and peace building.
Rizwan Khair, chairperson of the department of political science and sociology, reflected on the legacy of nonviolence as embodied by Gandhi and Mandela.
He identified the July uprising as a landmark in Bangladesh鈥檚 democratic journey, arguing that peaceful civic movements must be backed by a strong moral force capable of countering state violence and sustaining long-term peace.
Muhammad Asadullah, associate professor at the University of Regina, Canada, and adviser to the International Institute of Law and Diplomacy, co-organised the event and introduced three conceptual tools in his speech 鈥� subtle activism, nonviolent communication, and artivism: a combination of art and activism.
Drawing on the example of Abdul Ghaffar Khan, he called for wholehearted academic engagement in civic education and peace studies. He elaborated on the framework of Marshall Rosenberg鈥檚 nonviolent communication, which emphasizes needs-based, empathetic dialogue. Finally, he highlighted how expressive forms like graffiti, spoken word, and music (e.g., rappers like Hannan) can amplify marginalized voices and energize peaceful resistance.
The vote of thanks was delivered by Professor Md Rizwanul Islam, dean of the school of humanities and social sciences.
He expressed appreciation for the timely collaboration between CPS and PSS and commended all speakers for their thought-provoking contributions to the discourse on peace and democratic resilience.
