But ahead of the February 12 parliamentary election – the first since the upheaval – some of Rafid’s optimism has faded. “We dreamt of a country where all people regardless of gender, race, religion would have equal opportunity,” the 25-year-old said. ‘OLD GUARD VS STUDENT-ISLAMIST ALLIANCE’Under 30s, popularly known as Gen-Z, drove the uprising and make up more than a quarter of Bangladesh’s 128 million voters. ‘SPIRIT OF REVOLUTION LOST’The interim government of Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has also disappointed many in Gen-Z after it failed to rein in mob violence targeting journalists and minorities. “After a year, I feel the spirit of the July revolution is completely lost,” said Hema Chakma, a 23-year-old Buddhist student.