The events that occurred in Bangladesh, such as the student demonstrations that resulted in overthrowing the Hasina government, call for speculation as to whether such revolutionary movements are contagious for the region at large or not. The major countries in the region are India and Pakistan. Both countries are heavily populated, with India being the most populous country in the world and Pakistan coming in 5th. Thus, if a revolution spreads into the region, it can be devastating, firstly because of the massive population of the region and secondly because revolutions are unpredictable, chaotic, and could create a global-level humanitarian crisis. Bertrand Russel described them as, "Revolutions are born of hope, but they die of violence."

In order to assess whether Bangladesh’s student-led revolution is contagious or not, analysts tend to map revolts using the concepts of homophily, communication among different agents (groups), and the reactions of governments, as these variables are important indicators to measure the intensity of a revolt. The interaction of these variables can be explained as; when like-minded individuals with similar grievances come together, the feelings of discontent can become amplified, thus, creating a group united for a common purpose (Concept of Homophily). If the government or those in power attempt to violently quash this group, it does not work out well. Instead of pacifying the people, it can enrage them, radicalize them even further, and propel them to the precipice of rebellion. Once pushed against the wall, the groups tend to establish communication with other similar agents (groups) in the country and other parts of the world, which enhances the desire for change through the sharing of ideas, strategies, and hope. Altogether, homophily, violent suppression, and communication - coupled together - may produce the conditions that can be termed a perfect storm. This is exactly what happened in Bangladesh leading to the ouster of Sheikh Hasina and her government.  

As a means of examining India’s case, it can be seen in the past that students have been a potent force for political action in India. Anna Hazare’s 2011 movement against corruption and anti-CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act) protests are an example, among others. As in the case of the Bangladeshi incident, there are issues of grievances over employment, governance, and politics raised by students. If students in India feel that they are in a similar situation as students in Bangladesh, homophily could lead to the transmission of revolutionary attitudes, especially in the context of increasing unemployment rates and perceived injustice by the government.

Pakistan has also witnessed student activism, however, the military and political authorities have always sought to crack down on such movements. Pakistan also has a less favorable economic outlook, and frustrations over governance and liberal political freedoms are high, which might just foster a similar uprising. If students in Pakistan recognize the Bangladesh settings, particularly about government oppression and limited political freedom, then the homophily principle will foster the transmission of revolutionary ideas.

It is important to note that, Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan have strong cultural, linguistic and historical relationships that can trigger homophily. The students in these countries watch the same movies and television programs, know their respective politics, and may have friends or acquaintances in the same institutions. Ideas and protest methods could easily travel across these countries due to this cultural and regional similarity.

Now, it is not easy to estimate the exact impact of social media. However, it is a known fact that social media play a significant role in facilitating the process whereby revolutionary ideas are disseminated from one country to another. With the help of hashtags, support groups, and similar stories, students from neighboring countries can feel connected even when studying online. Students in India or Pakistan might learn about successful protest movements in Bangladesh and decide to stage protests.

With the context of India and Pakistan akin to that of Bangladesh, the conditions are conducive to a revolutionary upheaval, if economic and political injustice is again ignored. However, several factors are crucial in triggering the momentum such as the government’s response, political dynamics, and ethnic homogeneity in the population.

If the governments in India and Pakistan pay heed to the problems of the students in the event of an uprising and abstain from following the same path that Bangladesh followed to control the revolutionary upsurge, then they might be able to save themselves from such a revolution. On the other hand, repression could also act as a catalyst of conflict, provoking an escalation of the situation.

India and Pakistan have different political structures in this respect. India is a big, developed democracy. Although it is known as the world’s largest democracy with many channels of dissent, with increasing autocratic trends, it may cause a stronger opposition. Finally, the military’s interference in the politics of Pakistan also adds to the discontent, but, on the other hand, it could play the role of a disincentivizing agent, because it could mean students in Pakistan remain mindful of not pushing too hard.

There is one aspect in which India and Pakistan differ from Bangladesh and that is the aspect of homogeneity within the population. In the case of Bangladesh, Bengalis make up about 98% of the population. The two largest ethnic minorities are the Bihari and Chakma peoples. Whereas in the case of India, it houses one of the most diverse sets of populations, with different religions, ethnicities, and languages. Pakistan also houses a diverse population that is not homogenous, as it comprises five major and several minor ethnic groups. This lack of homogeneity in the populations of both India and Pakistan may play a role in disincentivizing a large-scale revolt.

According to the homophily theory, social revolutions in one country can encourage similar revolutions in other contiguity countries, primarily when there are common grounds for complaining and similar cultures. Events that led to the revolt in Bangladesh can easily trickle into India and Pakistan, the outcome of which would depend on many factors such as actions taken by the government machinery, political structures in vogue, and the capability to mobilize students effectively. The likelihood of a revolution is there, but the course that it is going to follow would depend on the nature of the political systems of the individual countries. To conclude, it is important to keep Alexis de Tocqueville’s words in mind: "Revolutions are not the product of a consciously devised plan but are the spontaneous culmination of long-held grievances."