Ascribed Identity Versus Achieved Identity: Case Study of Regime Change in Bangladesh

Abstract

Bangladesh have maintained their identity on the grounds of nationalistic fervor. However, a clash in the realm of Bangladeshi identity regarding rewards -such as attaining a government job - caused the regime change in 2024. The clash can be encapsulated by the achieved identity and ascribed identity. Reinstatement of 30% quota for Freedom Fighters of 1971 in the civil service is a reflection of ascribed identity whereas the youth rebelling against this reinstatement, contesting that civil service recruitment should be on the basis of meritocracy rather lineage, illustrates achieved identity. These events resulted in the resignation of former PM Sheikh Hasina (after use of a pejorative term in her comments). Hence, this paper aims to inquire how identity formation brought upon a downfall of a long standing regime within the socio-political plane of Bangladesh. It assesses the impact of government’s use of identity labelling through Social Identity Theory and Status Theory. Using Jank’s Critical Discourse Analysis, it will analyze identity-mapping from a discursive angle. This research is significant to understand Gen-Z movements and their critical insights on identity while utilizing the regime change in Bangladesh as case study.