ROME, Aug 23 (IPS) – The scholar motion in Bangladesh demanding reform of the quota system for public jobs was the straw that broke the camel’s again. The Awami League (AL) authorities led by Sheikh Hasina, in energy constantly since 2008, collapsed on fifth August 2024. With Sheikh Hasina fleeing to India and leaving the nation in disarray, her authoritarian rule of 15 years simply melted away.
She developed the character cult of her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who led the nation to independence in 1971 and who was brutally murdered on fifteenth of August 1975. The character cult was so perverse that liberation of the nation was attributed to Sheikh Mujib alone and all the opposite stalwarts of the liberation conflict and her celebration have been ignored. Every part of significance occurring within the nation was attributed to his knowledge and foresight alone and have been typically named after him. Each Establishment, together with colleges throughout the nation and embassies world wide have been obliged to host a “Mujib nook” to show his picture, and books about him solely.
But, no political celebration, together with the main opposition Bangladesh Nationwide Get together (BNP) succeeded in mobilising an rebellion in opposition to Hasina’s regime. This was partly due her capacity to mission AL and her authorities as the only guarantor of independence, sovereignty and secularism. Everybody else was solid as a supporter of anti-liberation forces, being communal, and accused of being motivated to show the nation right into a hotbed of Islamic extremism. BNP was additionally accused of committing crimes and corruption when it was in energy.
The founding father of BNP is linked to the merciless homicide of Sheikh Mujib and the members of her household, and the present chief of BNP is accused of masterminding the grenade assault aimed toward killing Sheikh Hasina at an AL rally on twenty first August 2004. Hasina survived the assault, nevertheless it killed 24 folks and injured about 200.
Why did the coed motion succeed ?
Like most historic occasions there are a number of components, however the final ones have been that (i) the scholars have been prepared to die and (ii) the Navy displayed patriotism and knowledge by refusing to kill. The scholars got here from all walks of life, transcending celebration traces and financial background. Therefore, makes an attempt to solid them as anti-liberation didn’t succeed. The military refused to kill to guard a despotic ruler. Bangladeshis have at all times overthrown dictatorial rulers.
Why the scholars have been able to die and the military refused to kill are vital points for evaluation however the essential query proper now’s: what subsequent and the place can we go from right here ?
What Subsequent for Bangladesh ?
The scholars have proven help for the formation of an interim authorities with main intellectuals, students and elite liberal professionals and civil society actors underneath the management of Dr Younus, the founding father of the Grameen Financial institution and a Nobel Laureate. These folks have been beforehand silenced and harassed throughout Hasina’s 15 12 months rule.
Many individuals stay sceptical, nonetheless. Many concern collapse of legislation and order and communal disturbances within the quick run, which can result in the emergence of one other dictatorial rule. Neighbouring India, which supported Hasina’s authorities, is anxious concerning the rights of minorities in Bangladesh, though they confirmed scant concern for the minorities in India within the current previous.
Political and geo-political analysts are busy analysing the geo-political implications and the position of key gamers in mobilising the scholars to overthrow Hasina. That is elevating questions on who engineered the Regime Change.
Thankfully for Bangladesh and the Bangladeshis, issues can get solely higher. Not one of the short-term considerations have materialised. No main collapse of legislation and order nor oppression of minorities have taken place, barring just a few localised incidents. Concerning the long term, issues can solely get higher: this can be very unlikely that one other chief can emerge with causes to substantiate a “ethical proper to rule”, disdain political discourse and mission a character cult – the fundamental elements of a dictatorial regime.
Hasina embodied a number of components which have been intrinsically related to who she was. It’s unlikely that anybody else with the same background will emerge once more. She began as a champion of democracy by searching for to overthrow the army rule that adopted the homicide of her father, then as a champion of justice by searching for justice for the killing of her father. Over time, nonetheless, she grew to become a despot and a vengeful chief. Even when AL manages to regroup and are available to energy, will probably be obliged to have a pluralistic perspective and never determine with Sheikh Mujib alone. All of the stalwarts of the celebration need to be recognised, as solely by recognising the forgotten widespread figures of the celebration can it re-emerge.
Concerning the broader geo-political play by larger powers, it could be vital however can not take away the truth that the vast majority of individuals are in favour of the change and are comfortable about it. It could possibly be just like gaining independence in 1971. India helped Bangladesh to achieve independence due to its personal geo-political strategic goal, nevertheless it has not diminished the style of independence. If Bangladeshis’ need coincides with the target of others’ then so be it. It’s win-win for each.
Ultimately, Bangladesh will emerge with strong fundamental necessities for the safety of the establishments to safeguard democracy, resembling impartial judiciaries, a functioning parliamentary system with efficient opposition events, vibrant media and civil society organisations. It’ll change into a rustic that can recognise the collective conscience of the main residents and intellectuals and set up good governance and social justice. The economic system might undergo some fluctuations attributable to troubles within the monetary sector and export market, however a sturdy agriculture sector, vibrant home actual property market and remittances will maintain it afloat.
The writer is a former UN official who was Chief of Coverage Help Department for Asia and the Pacific of the United Nations Meals and Agriculture Group (FAO).
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