How Public Movements Shaped World’s Political History

Shazia Mehboob/Imama Riaz 

Rawalpindi: Political authority is often influenced by public opinion, reflecting the collective will and sentiment of the people, which in turn shapes political agendas and holds leaders accountable.This public-political interdependence has historically shaped human society.

To explore this dynamic, PenPK.com has created a chronological timeline highlighting significant political changes around the world driven by public action.

In 2024, Bangladesh provided a vivid example of this dynamic. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned after 15 years in power, which the opposition had criticized as “authoritarian rule.” 

Her resignation was met with widespread celebration across the country. The backdrop to her departure was a series of violent protests over government job quotas, which led to a harsh crackdown resulting in at least 280 deaths and thousands of injuries.

Reports suggest that Hasina fled Bangladesh in an Indian military helicopter, as India had been a supportive ally to her regime.

The Prime Minister’s residence was stormed by jubilant citizens, who celebrated by looting and chanting slogans. General Waker-uz-Zaman, the Chief of Army Staff, has been holding discussions with major political parties, including the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

Muhammad Yunus, the Nobel laureate known for his work in microfinance, announced his readiness to lead a caretaker government.

This statement came a day after the military took control following the protests that forced Hasina to flee. Yunus, respected for his contributions to alleviating poverty, has faced opposition from the ousted Hasina but remains a figure of significant respect in Bangladesh.

Yunus has expressed his willingness to act in the country’s interest and has called for free elections. Zaman has urged the public to remain calm and avoid violence, asking for patience while the situation is managed.

However, it remains uncertain whether the military will fully assume control, as past coups have shown, and student activists have expressed their opposition to any form of military rule.

Revolution Reshapes Sudan

The Sudanese Revolution represents a significant example of public action leading to political change. The ousting of President Omar al-Bashir in April 2019 followed months of widespread protests against his 30-year rule.

These protests began in December 2018, initially sparked by a rise in bread prices, but quickly expanded in response to broader economic issues, including fuel shortages and cash crises.

The removal of al-Bashir marked the end of three decades of dictatorial rule in Sudan. It highlighted the power of sustained, organized civil resistance and demonstrated the ability of mass movements to achieve political transformation despite severe repression.

The economic difficulties faced by Sudan were exacerbated by decades of US sanctions, administrative mismanagement, and deep-rooted corruption. The security forces responded to the protests with brutal tactics, including tear gas, rubber bullets, and live ammunition.

The peak of the crisis occurred in April 2019, when thousands of protesters staged a sit-in outside the military headquarters in Khartoum, urging the army to support their demand for al-Bashir’s removal.

On April 11, 2019, the Sudanese military announced that al-Bashir had been removed from power and detained.

In response, Defence Minister General Ahmed Awad Ibn Auf declared a state of emergency, announced a two-year transitional period led by a military council, and suspended the constitution.

Despite these measures, protesters continued to demand a civilian-led government.

Turkish Public Defeats Coup

On the night of July 15, 2016, Turkey experienced the bloodiest coup attempt in its modern history.A faction of the military launched a coordinated effort to overthrow President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s government.

During the attempted coup, soldiers stormed the AK Party headquarters in Istanbul, tanks rolled through the streets, and fighter jets began bombing the parliament building in Ankara. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Hulusi Akar, was taken hostage by his own bodyguards.

As the news of the coup spread, thousands of Turkish citizens took to the streets, opposing the coup plotters. The violence resulted in at least 251 deaths and over 2,200 injuries. By the early hours of the following day, the coup was subdued.

The Turkish government accused Fethullah Gülen, a cleric and businessman living in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania, USA, of masterminding the coup through his movement. Gülen, once an ally of Erdoğan, has denied any involvement.

In response, the Turkish government declared a two-year state of emergency. During this period, tens of thousands of people were detained pending trial, and around 125,000 civil servants, military personnel, and academics were dismissed or suspended due to suspected links to Gülen.

Critics argue that Erdoğan has used the coup attempt as a pretext for political repression. Turkey has sought Gülen’s extradition from the US and has pressured other countries to shut down Gülen-affiliated schools and businesses abroad. While many countries have complied with these demands, regions where Turkey has less influence have been less responsive.

Park Impeached Over Scandal

In 2016, South Korea’s first female president, Park Geun-hye, was impeached amid a major corruption scandal that implicated both political and business elites. The scandal, involving her close confidant Choi Soon-sil, led to widespread public outrage and demands for Park’s resignation.

The Constitutional Court’s unanimous decision to uphold the impeachment removed Park’s presidential immunity and brought criminal charges against her. The court’s ruling mandated a new presidential election within 60 days.

The decision was met with celebrations by many, but also sparked violent clashes. Pro-Park supporters, mainly elderly conservatives, clashed with police outside the court, resulting in the deaths of two protesters from the pro-Park side.

Musharraf Resigns Amid Crisis

The milestone episode in Pakistan’s political history occurred between 2007 and 2008, involving Nawaz Sharif and General Pervez Musharraf, and resulted in Musharraf’s resignation.

In March 2007, General Musharraf dismissed Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, an action that sparked widespread protests led by lawyers, known as the Lawyers’ Movement. This dismissal ignited a significant civil society response and heightened political tensions.

Exiled former prime ministers Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto saw an opportunity to challenge Musharraf. They returned to Pakistan in 2007, both to contest the upcoming elections and to support the growing protest movement against Musharraf’s government.

In November 2007, Musharraf declared a state of emergency, suspended the constitution, and placed many judges under house arrest. These measures intensified public outrage and fueled further protests.

In the parliamentary elections of February 2008, Musharraf’s party, the Pakistan Muslim League (Q), suffered a significant defeat. The Pakistan Muslim League (N), led by Nawaz Sharif, and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), led by Benazir Bhutto, emerged as the major winners.

With a parliament dominated by his political opponents and facing the threat of impeachment, Musharraf resigned from the presidency in August 2008 and went into self-imposed exile.