প্রবাসীরা কি শুধু অর্থনীতির চালিকাশক্তি, নাকি ভবিষ্যত বাংলাদেশের রাজনৈতিক কৌশলের অন্যতম স্তম্ভ? জুলাই '২৪-এ শিক্ষার্থী-জনতার আন্দোলনে প্রবাসী বাংলাদেশিরা রেমিট্যান্স বন্ধের ডাক দিয়ে যেভাবে স্বৈরাচারী শাসনের ভিত কাঁপিয়ে ইতিহাসের মোড় ঘুরিয়ে দিয়েছিল, তার নিরিখে এ প্রশ্নের উত্তর খুঁজুন লেখাটিতে।

Diaspora and expatriate communities often maintain strong emotional, economic, and political ties to their home countries through cultural traditions, remittances, and civic engagement. Their influence is visible in family support, humanitarian aid, and raising awareness about national issues on the international stage. Yet the true extent of their power—especially to shape political events—often remains underestimated. Can these connections drive major political transformation? The experience of Bangladesh in 2024 offers a powerful answer. During the July revolution, Bangladeshis abroad leveraged remittance as resistance to challenge a 15-year authoritarian regime and redefine their role in shaping the nation’s future.

On July 17, 2024, the Sheikh Hasina regime suspended all mobile internet services and imposed a curfew to suppress the protesters and activists of the ongoing anti-quota movement. This move disconnected the country from the rest of the world and outraged the Bangladeshi diaspora worldwide, a relatively affluent and politically engaged community that relies on internet services to stay in touch with their family and friends back home. The sudden blackout caused widespread panic, especially about the safety of their loved ones amid the heightened political tensions. Who could have anticipated that their fury would ignite a turning point in Bangladesh’s looming revolution.

The anger of the Bangladeshi diasporas and migrant workers intensified. Many among them had left Bangladesh during the past 15 years, fleeing political persecution under the Hasina regime, while their families back home often lived under surveillance and threats. In an unprecedented response, the diaspora community spontaneously began circulating a call on social media to stop sending remittance to Bangladesh. It was unclear who initiated the call, but it quickly gained momentum.

The impact was very swift. The regime’s then ICT minister publicly pleaded for the diaspora to continue sending remittances and subsequently restored internet access, showing that the expatriate community could exert real influence. Remittances were the most immediate and impactful economic tool available to them—one they used effectively, especially because Bangladesh’s economy heavily relies on remittance inflows to sustain its foreign currency reserves. This action exposed the regime’s vulnerability, and the video of the ICT minister’s plea quickly went viral, adding further fuel to the domestic protests. It revealed a striking reality: even from afar, the Bangladeshi diaspora holds significant economic power capable of shaking a seated authoritarian regime to its core.

An Overview of Bangladeshi Diaspora and Expatriates

International Organization for Migration (IOM) defines the diaspora as people whose sense of belonging and identity are shaped by migration. These are individuals living abroad who maintain strong connections to their home country. Expatriates, in contrast, are people who go abroad primarily for work but often remain uncertain about the duration of their stay. In this article, we regard both groups similarly, as both contribute significantly to Bangladesh’s remittance flows and have demonstrated their political influence, as seen during the July 2024 uprising.

Bangladesh’s Remittance sources are concentrated in a few countries. In FY 2023-24, about 86% of wage earners’ remittances came from just ten countries (see figure above), sent by a migrant population of only 6.6 million. Remarkably, 60% of this population resides in just three countries: Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The figure below provides a detailed picture of how much foreign currency Bangladesh receives from these 10 countries. In FY 2023–24, Bangladesh received a total of $23.91 billion in remittances, with $20.57 billion—nearly 86%—originating from these ten countries. The United Arab Emirates was the top sender, followed by the USA and UK.

Although the UAE hosts the third-largest share of Bangladeshi migrants, it topped the list in remittance volume during FY 23-24. Kuwait, Italy and Singapore hold the same number of people, but they recorded the highest per capita remittances, while Saudi Arabia and Malaysia bottom the list. The per capita remittance shows where Bangladesh’s highest wage earners live. Knowing the top remittance senders and their amount of contribution warrants a closer look at the economy of Bangladesh, which will make it clear how important the remittance is for the country’s economic stability.

Bangladesh Economy’s Snapshot and Remittances

A full macroeconomic overview of Bangladesh’s Economy is beyond the scope of this article. However, a brief look at the role of remittances gives important insight into why the Hasina regime made public apology and quickly restored internet services to establish remittance flows when they were threatened. In what follows, we focus mainly on wage earners’ remittances.

The figure above shows monthly remittance inflows strongly correlates with the Foreign Exchange Reserve (measured under the BPM6 standard). For example, both remittance inflows and reserves dropped in January 2025.

Modes of import payments are also important because if Bangladesh must pay in cash for most of the imported goods, remittances and foreign currency reserves become very crucial to keep market prices stable. During the last quarter of 2024, 77% of the total import payments of Bangladesh had to be made in cash, while only 21% were covered through buyer’s credit. This trend highlights Bangladesh’s vulnerability: when most imports require immediate payment, it puts immense pressure on foreign exchange reserves.

The figure above, showing a year-over-year comparison, highlights an increase in cash payments and a decline in buyer’s credit. Political instability often drives this trend. In more stable environments, seller confidence leads to longer credit terms, easing pressure on foreign exchange reserves. However, under the Sheikh Hasina regime, the opposite occurred. On May 30, 2023, Moody’s rating for Bangladesh’s credit went down from Ba3 to B1, reflecting diminished confidence in the country’s financial stability.

How dependent is Bangladesh on foreign remittances?

To gauge dependency, we examine three factors: import payments, export receipts and remittances. The figure below shows import payments hover around $15 billion per quarter, while export receipts remain closer to $10 billion. The gap between the two is largely covered by remittance flows to keep the import unimpacted. The same picture is also evident if we look at the balance of payments account: remittances make up nearly 80% of the financing of the current account deficit.

What was the hidden pressure?

The trading partners of Bangladesh are split across distinct groups. Its imports come primarily from China, India, and Indonesia, while its exports are directed largely to the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Meanwhile, remittance inflows originate from politically influential countries such as the United States, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. This geopolitical entanglement means that remittances indirectly impact not just trade balances but its broader foreign policy alignments.

A disruption in remittance inflows, therefore, would not only impact Bangladesh’s economy, it could also ripple into financial systems in key partner countries, including China and India, two major powers in South Asia. This interconnectedness subtly raises the leverage that the diaspora holds, both domestically and internationally.

The Road Ahead

Bangladesh must focus on diversifying its economy. Dr. Muhammad Yunus and his team have championed such efforts, advocating for increased foreign direct investment (FDI) and broader export expansion. The country also needs leadership capable of tapping into global markets to secure financial inflows beyond just remittances.

If remittance inflows were to collapse—whether due to political unrest, a global economic downturn, or a pandemic-like crisis—the economy could unravel rapidly. The July 2024 boycott served as a wake-up call. The diaspora, long seen as a passive actor, proved itself as a powerful force capable of influencing the nation’s political and economic trajectory.

Bangladesh must recognize this leverage and engage its diaspora not just as a source of remittance, but as strategic partners in building a resilient and inclusive economy.

About the Auhtor:
Zm Talha is a U.S.-based data scientist with a deep interest in Bangladesh’s political and economic development. He brings fresh perspectives to issues of political reform, exploring how the diaspora, politics, economy, and media interact to shape the nation's future. He can be reached at ztalha149@gmail.com.

জুলাই গণঅভ্যুত্থানে প্রবাসী বাংলাদেশীদের ভূমিকা ছিলো অনবদ্য। দেশ মাতৃকাকে শেখ হাসিনার স্বৈরাচারী নিষ্পেষণ থেকে উদ্ধার করতে দৃঢ়ভাবে ঐক্যবদ্ধ হয়ে আন্দোলনের পক্ষে দাঁড়িয়েছিলো প্রবাসীরা। মহাদেশ এবং মহাসাগর পেরিয়ে প্রবাসী বাংলাদেশীদের কণ্ঠস্বর প্রতিধ্বনিত হয়েছিল, প্রতিরোধের এক অটুট সুতোয় তাঁরা মাঠের আন্দোলনকারীদের সাথে একাত্ম হয়ে পড়েছিলো। হাসিনার পতনের পর প্রবাসীরা তাদের স্বাভাবিক কর্মকাণ্ডে ফিরে গেলেও তাদের মন পড়ে আছে স্বৈরাচার-উত্তর বাংলাদেশের গতি-প্রকৃতির দিকে।

Rafiq (pseudonym) left his small village of Bangladesh with the hope that his children would live a life that he could only dream about. He toiled hard under the harsh sun in Dubai, only taking solace in the laughter of his coworkers sharing the same dream. When whispers of protests reached his ears, he did not hesitate to join the protests, not as a rebel but as a father with hope for his children – the hope to see justice back home. Days later, Rafiq was arrested and sentenced to 10 years in jail, leaving his children pondering how they became ensnared in a nightmare of their father's own making.

The July Revolution of 2024 is an extraordinary chapter in the history of Bangladesh. It began as a ripple-less voice of resentment from the students, resulting in a mighty tide sweeping off the iron-fisted Sheikh Hasina regime for good that had once stood the test of long-standing endurance. In the scorching heat of Dhaka, tear gas mingled almost inseparably with the cries of students protesting for justice with a new liberation spirit. Importantly enough, this was not the movement of Bangladesh alone. Throughout oceans and continents, the Bangladeshi diaspora population, like Rafiq, comforted their kin along with the plants of suffering, giving more strength to their cause.

Bangladesh has a growing diaspora, with over 13 million people living in 162 countries worldwide. Diaspora refers to populations, such as members of an ethnic or religious group, originating from the same place of birth and then living in a different location. The developed internet-enabled digital media helps the always-connected diaspora community as catalysts for change in the country of origin. The role of the Bangladeshi diaspora was not to watch from a distance, but to participate actively in an unrepentant challenge against tyranny, and for ideals that lay at the heart of every tyrant. To these expatriates scattered throughout the world, the call from their homeland was never muted by the miles or borders that separated them. It was a call that found them ready to respond just like true patriots would—knowing that the fight for justice is not only for the land but also for the soul. This article illustrates some of the Bangladeshi diaspora's endeavors to support and make the July Revolution a success.

The Global Bond: A Shared Dream for Freedom

On the bitter cobbled streets of Darmstadt, Germany, an expatriate coder named Khandokar Riadul Islam, felt the July Movement as deeply as those in Dhaka. The news of the shooting of Abu Sayed, the martyred of the July Revolution, shattered him and reignited a fire in him that he was not aware of until that moment. Anger flowed deep in his veins with a sense of such a responsibility that he formed an online WhatsApp group comprising people like him- the minimum he could do to organize a digital protest by uniting expatriates on foreign soil. The geography of these lands did not unite them, but it was the single dream of a far-off day when justice would reign over a new Bangladesh. Their protests were not expressions of spontaneous emotions but properly executed acts of rebellion. In Germany, local law dictates that a notice must be given at least 48 hours prior to holding any public demonstration. However, there was no time for Riadul and his fellows to deal with bureaucratic red tape; they had solved the issue with the same resolve as they showed for their protests. Flyers, bangers, and signatures became weapons in the conflict confronted in the streets of Darmstadt. For Riadul and others, this was more than a demonstration; this was their motherland calling.

The Bangladeshi diaspora possessed a remarkable weapon: the internet and the social media. When the complete shutdown of the internet crippled all forms of communication with Bangladesh, the diaspora became the voice for the silenced. Social media yielded a virtual battleground where hashtags replaced war cries, and tweets carried the weight of hard truths. While in cities as various and far-flung as New York, Melbourne, Dallas, Riyadh, Seoul, Cape Town, and London, the digital warriors wrote posts to pierce through the fog of propaganda. Every shared photo and retweeted story became one more beacon of hope to the people on the ground in Bangladesh, who were battling the brutality of Sheikh Hasina regime. These two acts of digital resistance were about raising awareness and living with the truth in an environment in which regimes flourish on distortion.

The Streets of Solidarity: Protests Across the Globe

Besides digital activism, diaspora communities also spilled into the streets and attracted global attention in solidarity with the cause, accelerating the movement by inspiring public opinion and exerting pressure on governments and international bodies to act against oppression. The British parliament took up the students' causes with solidarity from global leaders against Sheikh Hasina's mass killing. Two proud Bangladeshi diasporas, the British MPs Dr. Rupa Huq and Apsana Begum, stood in parliament several times, urging solidarity among students. With other pro-Bangladeshi protests, the diaspora population grew in Melbourne, Australia; under the glistening sun above the State Library came another ray of light—the perfect fusion of unity. Through theistic violence, participants grew to hundreds of people led by executive director Asif Qurish and his volunteer team. Almost 50 expatriates gathered with placards to proclaim their solidarity with protesters in Bangladesh. Slogans such as "Pray for Bangladeshi students," captured the very essence of their cause. IT Engineer Tasfiq Moon and Deputy Sheriff Zakaria Sakib brought out more than 700 participants for the protest in Irving, Texas, despite the extreme hot weather and threats of retaliatory action by the Bangladeshi authorities against their loved one in Bangladesh.

Students from hundreds of universities in the USA and other parts of the world came to the streets in solidarity with the Bangladeshi protesters. Students at the University of Alabama organized a series of events following the movements in Bangladesh. Bangladeshi diasporic students and academicians across the globe worked tirelessly during the tumultuous month of July. Bangladesh Student Association (BSA) in various US universities organized events to support the movement. For instance, around 7,000 people joined one of the rallies organized at Times Square in New York City. These protests were not simply acts of anger; they were love letters to a country forever bound with their identities, however far they had traveled. Each effigy hoisted and each slogan howled, owing a pledge to the land that had formed their very roots.

Expatriate Social Media Influencers Shape Public Opinion

During the uprising, expatriate social media influencers also played a crucial role in shaping public opinion and mobilizing support. Their online activism helped shape the course of events, contributing to Sheikh Hasina's eventual cowardly escape. Expatriates took to social media and shared news updates, real-life stories about what was happening, and messages of support for the demonstrators. Their pivotal stance took the promotion of the protest to a different level on the global front, attracting international attention to the situation and initiating foreign government’s responses. This international attention heightened pressure on the Bangladeshi government to settle the concerns posed by the protesters. In response to the protests, the Bangladeshi government shut down the internet and restricted access to social media platforms to suppress the movement.

One of the pioneers in changing the course of the uprising is journalist Mushfiqul Fazal Ansari. He is known to bring attention at the UN and White House press conferences about human rights violations, election fraud, and authoritarian rule in Bangladesh. Another seasoned social media influencer is France expatriate Pinaki Bhattacharya, who helped create a ground for mass uprisings in Bangladesh. Mr. Bhattacharya was committed to toppling Sheikh Hasina since she forced him to leave the country. Some of the most discussed among those whose news, writings, or video content inspired the people of Bangladesh to join the movement are -US expatriate journalist Elias Hossain, Al-Jazeera investigative journalist Zulkarnain Sayer Khan, Netra News editor-in-chief Tasneem Khalil, writer and thinker Faham Abdus Salam and online activist Shahed Alam. Expatriate social media influencers managed to elude such tactics as they continued to release updates and rally support from abroad. Their online specter allowed the protest to maintain momentum even when domestic communication was dulled.

A Journey of Voices Silenced

Let us go back to Rafiq's story! He joined the assembly of Bangladeshi workers away from the lively crowds and glass façades of Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Their days are spent in endless toil; their nights are spent in conversations about hope and dreams of a better tomorrow for Bangladesh. However, in July 2024, the dreams hit a wall of reality. For these workers, this was not just a political fight but a fight for justice, equity, and shared voices. At the same time, the voices raised their demands for change. However, in the UAE, dissent invited danger within days. 57 Bangladeshi workers were arrested. Their crime was to participate in protests that authorities termed an "unlawful assembly." The punishments were stiff and swift: anywhere from 10 years to life in prison. As international movements denounced the UAE for their actions, the plight of the 57 has become a rallying call for human rights. With the UAE detainees, there were other large numbers of Bangladeshi workers who were arrested and jailed in Saudi Arabia as well, which did not come into the public. Their fights are reminiscent of countless others drowned out; their stories crushed to submission under the weight of political economies that consider profit above people.

Economic Resistance: The Power of Remittances

The Bangladeshi diaspora decided to stop sending remittance to Bangladesh. While this act was unprecedented, the blow was devastating for the Sheikh Hasina regime since remittance is one of the lifelines of Bangladesh economy. This economic rebellion should not be taken lightly. It was a conscious attempt to rattle the foundations of a regime that has long preyed on its citizens.

After expatriate Bangladeshis suspended their remittance, the fascist government felt the impact and started begging to send money again. Before the government fell, remittances totaled only $95.65 million during the first three days of August due to social unrest and calls for a remittance boycott. In July, remittances fell to $1.9 billion, a 3.24% drop year-on-year, as shoe-throwing protests and a social media campaign calling for a remittance shutdown developed. The figure marked a steep 24.8% plunge from June's inflow of $2.54 billion, which had been hitting lame remittances in three years. However, the Bangladeshi diaspora resumed sending money just after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina regime. According to data from the Bangladesh Bank, total remittances during the first ten days of August were $482.77 million. Of this, $387.12 million, or four times the previous three days, was transferred between August 4 and 10. The remittance shutdown communicated vividly that the diaspora's love for their homeland is not unconditional; the love stopped short of pursuing justice and fairness. While the act brought some hardships to their family, it showed that they are willing to sacrifice for something they believe greater than themselves.

Sacrifice and Solidarity: Stories of Courage

The diaspora's involvement undoubtedly presented a series of challenges. The Abu workers’ courage symbolized the indomitable spirit of expatriates who refused to silence themselves, even when it became personally perilous. These acts of courage were reflected globally. In Irving, Texas, organizers were threatened by the Bangladeshi government with warnings of rejected passport applications. However, they carried on knowing that what they said mattered; each act, whether in a big city or with a handful of people, was a testament to the diaspora's devotion to their motherland. The July Movement marked the opening phase of the diaspora not as a footnote but as the foundation of the revolution, contributions that had bridged distance and diaspora. It was a gentle reminder that patriotism belongs not to people inside or away from its territorial border but to those who carry its light in their hearts. The spirit of Bangladesh still burns brightly, torn, on the streets of Dhaka and as far away as the very corners of this globe. Although payments by diaspora communities provided an overarching effect, long-term activism presented all sorts of difficulties. The diaspora communities fanned many geographic and political contexts, finding it highly improbable to unify or carry on with coordinated efforts. The differences in national laws regulating public protests and other vocations made charity exceedingly tricky.

Historical Parallels and Lessons Learned

The July Movement and the diasporas' involvement drew parallels to earlier instances of transnational activism, such as Bangladesh's liberation war in 1971. Just as the diaspora mobilized and raised awareness and support for their fight against Pakistani rule, so did this July Movement experience the same revival of the spirit of solidarity. The 2024 movement, however, was distinct in this regard. Unlike in 1971, when traditional media was the principal means of communication, the diametrical paradigm shift toward virtual media afforded this diaspora the channel to organize and mobilize on an unprecedented scale. That speaks volumes about how activism has transitioned into the digital era and the potential diasporas have for accomplishing a virtual political change in their homelands. The July Movement also highlighted lessons for the future of transnational activism. The success of the diaspora in using financial pressure with the suspension of remittances demonstrated the potential of using financial leverage to transform conditions. At the same time, it established that careful planning was needed to mitigate damage to vulnerable populations remaining at home.

Conclusion: A Legacy of Love and Resistance

The July Movement of 2024 celebrated the undying strength of love, love for a country, its people, and the ideals it represents. By holding protests and applying economic pressure, the Bangladeshi diaspora opened another chapter of the country's history. They made the world aware that the fight for justice has no borders and that the real test of patriotism is not geographical boundaries but the courage to stand up for what is right. Their contributions will remain in history as Bangladesh sweeps towards an era of hope. Indeed, in their bosom lies a truth as old as that of the Padma River: wherever they might be, they are and will always be sons and daughters of Bangladeshi soil.

About Author

Social Media Editor, The Insighta. he can be reached at jahanshuvo15@gmail.com.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are the authors' own and do not necessarily reflect The Insighta's editorial stance. However, any errors in the stated facts or figures may be corrected if supported by verifiable evidence.