Bangla: চাইলে পরে অধিকার তুমি বলো রাজাকার
English Pronunciation: Chaile pore odhikar, tumi bolo Razakar.
Meaning: When we demand our rights, you call us traitors.
This slogan captures the deep frustration and anger of the Bangladeshi people as they protest against a system that has consistently marginalized their voices. This phrase sheds light on a disturbing pattern seen throughout history—when the public rises to demand their rights, they are quickly labeled as traitors or enemies of the state. In this case, the use of the term Rajakar, historically referring to collaborators (national traitors) during the 1971 Liberation War, became a tool to discredit and demonize modern-day protesters.
The term Rajakar carries a heavy, painful connotation in Bangladesh’s collective memory. It refers to individuals who sided with the Pakistani military during the Liberation War and participated in atrocities against their own people. Being called a Rajakar is therefore a grave accusation, implying that one is a betrayer of the nation’s sovereignty and freedom. By labeling the peaceful protesters of the July Revolution as Rajakars, the government and its allies aimed to draw a false equivalence between those fighting for justice and those who had collaborated with the enemy during the war. This accusation was not just a political tool—it was an attempt to invalidate their legitimate demands for democratic reforms, governance accountability, and transparency.
This tactic of branding protesters as traitors has been employed by many oppressive regimes throughout history. It serves to paint the protesters as enemies of the state, thereby rallying public opinion against them and discouraging support for their cause. The government sought to delegitimize the growing movement by labeling the protesters unpatriotic, positioning them as a threat to national unity and security. The slogan "Chaile Pore Odhikar, Tumi Bolo Rajakar" directly challenges this narrative, expressing the disillusionment of a generation that simply wanted their basic rights to be recognized and upheld.
At its core, this slogan reflects a broader struggle against misinformation and the misuse of power by the state. The government’s attempt to label protesters as traitors was a deliberate effort to paint them as enemies of the nation and discourage people from joining the movement. But, instead of silencing the people, this accusation had the opposite effect—it sparked even more outrage and drew attention to the government's efforts to suppress dissent. The more the protesters were called Rajakar, the more their cause was validated in the eyes of the public. The slogan became a rallying cry for justice, truth, and the fight for a free and democratic Bangladesh.
Moreover, this phrase encapsulates the struggle against political repression and the fight for freedom of expression. When citizens are denied their right to speak out and demand justice, they often face the risk of being silenced through tactics of fear, division, and intimidation. The accusation of treason is a dangerous tool that has been used throughout history to crush social movements and prevent change. By reclaiming the term Rajakar in this slogan, the protesters are showing that they will not be cowed by the government’s oppressive tactics. Instead, they are determined to stand firm and continue their fight for a more just, transparent, and accountable government.
In the context of Bangladesh’s ongoing struggle for justice and political reform, this slogan holds significant power. It reflects the frustrations of a people who feel betrayed by a government that has ignored their needs and aspirations. By calling out the false accusations and standing in unity, the protestors are reclaiming their right to demand a better future. The phrase "Chaile Pore Odhikar, Tumi Bolo Rajakar" serves as a reminder that when people rise up for their rights, it is not treason—it is a call for justice, and it is a call that cannot and should not be silenced.
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