7 protest anthems that have rocked the world: From ‘Hum Dekhenge' to ‘Bella Ciao'

Indian Express

25-04-2025

Protests have always had their soundtrack. These songs often define the struggle they accompany. From Mumbai to Kolkata, Bangladesh to South Korea and across Europe, protest anthems continue to ignite movements and rally the masses. Here's a list of protest anthems that have made an indelible mark in recent memory:
1. 'Sab Yaad Rakha Jayega' – Aamir Aziz
Emerging during the anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protests, Aamir Aziz's powerful poem became an emblem of resistance. The words—' Sab Yaad Rakha Jayega ' (nothing will be forgotten) —were recited during numerous rallies, capturing the anguish and anger of those opposing the law. Aziz's work gained international attention when English musician Roger Waters read it aloud at a 2020 event in London. Now, the song is back in headlines with Aziz accusing artist Anita Dube of using his words unethically in her 2023 and 2025 exhibitions.
2. 'We Shall Overcome' – The Anthem of Solidarity
An anthem born in the American Civil Rights Movement, 'We Shall Overcome' transcended borders and became a global protest anthem. In India, its Hindi adaptation, ' Hum Honge Kaamyab,' resonated with student movements in the 1970s and 1980s, symbolizing hope and resilience. From Bengali liberation struggles to Kerala's Communist movement, the song has evolved into a universal cry for freedom. In popular culture, it continues to symbolise collective resistance, also seen in Bollywood's My Name is Khan, where it bridged the struggles of Muslims in the US and India.
3. 'Hum Dekhenge' – Faiz Ahmed Faiz
Written by the Pakistani poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz in 1979, 'Hum Dekhenge' has evolved into a subcontinental anthem of defiance. The poem's iconic lines, 'We shall see,' became a battle cry against oppressive regimes. In India, it gained new life during the CAA protests, filling the streets with an unmistakable call for justice. Most famously, it reverberated through the airwaves during the protests at IIT Kanpur in 2023, where its powerful imagery unsettled the powerful once again.
4. 'Ar Kobe' – Arijit Singh
In Kolkata, music has long been a vehicle for resistance. During the RG Kar protests, ' Ar Kobe ' by Arijit Singh captured the emotional turmoil of a city grappling with injustice. With its melancholic melody, the song became a soundtrack to the unrest, blending personal sorrow with collective outrage. It became a rallying cry for justice, accompanied by performances from iconic figures like Usha Uthup, whose rendition of ' Jaago Re' urged Kolkata to wake up to the injustices around them.
5. 'Kotha Ko' – Shezan
In 2024, Bangladesh was alive with protest, and music played a key role in energising the streets. ' Kotha Ko' (Speak up), a powerful anthem by Shezan, called on citizens to 'speak up' and resist the oppression of the Sheikh Hasina regime. Drawing inspiration from the 1952 language movement, the song resonated with the nation's fight for linguistic and political rights. Alongside folk anthems such as ' Desh ta tomar baaper naki' (Does the country belong to your father?) and Mausumi's ' Awaaz Utha' (Raise your voice), the music fueled mass mobilisation, reminding everyone that when freedom is stifled, its people will sing louder.
6. 'Into the New World' – Girls' Generation
K-Pop is not just for entertainment, it's also a tool of resistance. In December 2024, South Korean youth took to the streets to protest President Yoon Suk Yeol's controversial policies, with ' Into the New World' by Girls' Generation becoming their anthem. Armed with light sticks and placards, young demonstrators blended political defiance with pop euphoria, turning the streets of Seoul into a dance floor of resistance. K-pop fans have long used their cultural movement to amplify protests, repurposing the genre into a powerful form of activism.
7. 'Bella Ciao' – The global anthem of resistance
Originating as a folk song sung by Italian rice workers in the late 19th century, ' Bella Ciao' evolved into a resistance anthem during World War II. Over time, its haunting melody and defiant message have crossed borders, becoming a rallying cry for movements fighting fascism, oppression, and inequality. From Catalan independence to Poland's abortion rights protests, Bella Ciao's resurgence proves its timeless appeal. The song saw a revival in France's 2024 elections, remixed as B(ard)ella Ciao. Several modified iterations of the song were also heard during the RG Kar protest and the farmers' agitation.