Transnational Solidarity and Resistance: Left Student Movements Against Far-Right Authoritarianism in South Asia

This study examines the transnational solidarity among left student movements in South Asia, focusing on their resistance to far-right and authoritarian governments. Specifically, it analyzes the 2024 protests against Sheikh Hasina's government in Bangladesh, the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protests in India (2019), and the #StudentsAgainstRape movement in Pakistan (2020). In the face of rising far-right ideologies and authoritarianism in these countries, student activism has become a crucial tool for defending democratic values and challenging oppressive regimes. However, the transnational dimensions of this resistance, particularly how left student organizations connect and collaborate across borders, remain underexplored in existing literature. This research aims to fill this gap by investigating the ways in which these student movements foster solidarity and coordinate actions in response to the growing influence of far-right politics in the region. The study employs a qualitative methodology, utilizing case studies of specific protests, supplemented by semi-structured interviews with activists and analysis of social media platforms that have been integral in facilitating transnational dialogue and mobilization. This approach will highlight how digital spaces serve as platforms for resistance, enabling movements to share strategies, narratives, and support across national borders. By contextualizing these student movements within the framework of global resistance to the far-right, the study draws on key scholarly works that explore transnational solidarity in social movements, including Castells (2012), Tilly (2004), and Chatterjee (2020), while also referencing recent studies on youth resistance, such as Bimrose and Hearne (2021). These sources provide a foundation for understanding how student activists in South Asia navigate the challenges posed by authoritarian governments and rising far-right policies, such as the militarization of state power, criminalization of dissent, and the undermining of democratic institutions. The research will also address the role of digital platforms as tools for activism in challenging far-right policies. These platforms are essential for organizing protests, disseminating information, and building networks of solidarity across borders, especially in the face of increasing government repression. The findings will contribute to a deeper understanding of how left student organizations resist far-right ideologies and authoritarian regimes while maintaining a collective commitment to democratic ideals and human rights. Through its focus on youth-led resistance, this study aims to provide insights into the resilience of democratic movements in South Asia. By exploring the transnational cooperation between student activists, the research contributes to ongoing discussions about the role of grassroots movements in countering the rise of far-right ideologies and defending democratic governance.