On August 5, 2024, the Awami League government—which had held continuous power for over fifteen and a half years—collapsed in the face of a fierce mass uprising led by students and the general public. Yet right up until midday that day, the now-banned party had not sensed the slightest hint that it was about to lose power. From top leadership down to grassroots activists, the party maintained firm faith that party chief Sheikh Hasina would forcefully contain the Anti-Discrimination Student Movem...