Paper short abstract:

This paper will discuss the complex relation between social movements, memories and digital media mainly online blogosphere with a reference to the Shahbag movement in Bangladesh. The study of this relation is important in comprehending how contested memories can shape a historical event.

Paper long abstract:

This paper will discuss conceptual issues related to the complex relation between social movements, memories and digital media mainly online blogospheres. This research will first discuss how a present social movement's unique characteristics are indebted to the past movements and struggles. Then the research in this paper will elaborate how the memories of the past and past movements in general with the help of digital media platforms and through the process of mediation are responsible for elevating a local movement to a global stature. By applying this conceptual framework to the Shahbag movement of Bangladesh in 2013, I would argue that the study of this complex relation is important in comprehending how contested memories can shape a historical event. The process of reshaping history which is not officially documented can add dimensions to past struggles, and as a result it will indicate 'silenced' histories. This articulation of 'silenced' history and references to the past movements are capable of adding features of global protest movements to a region specific social movement. Finally, this research will address if the study of the relation between social movements, digital media and memory can be important to comprehend the dynamics of social conditions such as modernity in the globalized world.