ROME, Aug 23 (IPS) – The coed 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 struggle and her celebration have been ignored. Every part of significance taking place within the nation was attributed to his knowledge and foresight alone and have been typically named after him. Each Establishment, together with faculties throughout the nation and embassies world wide have been obliged to host a “Mujib nook” to show his photograph, and books about him solely.
But, no political celebration, together with the main opposition Bangladesh Nationwide Social gathering (BNP) succeeded in mobilising an rebellion in opposition to Hasina’s regime. This was partly due her means to challenge AL and her authorities as the only real guarantor of independence, sovereignty and secularism. Everybody else was forged 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, however it killed 24 folks and injured about 200.
Why did the scholar motion succeed ?
Like most historic occasions there are a number of elements, however the final ones have been that (i) the scholars have been prepared to die and (ii) the Army displayed patriotism and knowledge by refusing to kill. The scholars got here from all walks of life, transcending celebration strains and financial background. Therefore, makes an attempt to forged 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 necessary points for evaluation however the essential query proper now could be: what subsequent and the place can we go from right here ?
What Subsequent for Bangladesh ?
The scholars have proven assist 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 regulation and order and communal disturbances within the brief run, which can result in the emergence of one other dictatorial rule. Neighbouring India, which supported Hasina’s authorities, is worried concerning the rights of minorities in Bangladesh, though they confirmed scant concern for the minorities in India within the latest 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.
Fortuitously for Bangladesh and the Bangladeshis, issues can get solely higher. Not one of the short-term considerations have materialised. No main collapse of regulation and order nor oppression of minorities have taken place, barring just a few localised incidents. Relating to 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 challenge a character cult – the essential substances of a dictatorial regime.
Hasina embodied a number of elements which have been intrinsically related to who she was. It’s unlikely that anybody else with an identical background will emerge once more. She began as a champion of democracy by in search of to overthrow the army rule that adopted the homicide of her father, then as a champion of justice by in search of justice for the killing of her father. Over time, nonetheless, she turned a despot and a vengeful chief. Even when AL manages to regroup and are available to energy, it is going to be obliged to have a pluralistic angle and never determine with Sheikh Mujib alone. All of the stalwarts of the celebration need to be recognised, as solely by recognising the forgotten well-liked figures of the celebration can it re-emerge.
Relating to the broader geo-political play by greater powers, it could be necessary however can’t take away the truth that nearly all of individuals are in favour of the change and are pleased about it. It could possibly be much like gaining independence in 1971. India helped Bangladesh to realize independence due to its personal geo-political strategic goal, however 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 sturdy fundamental necessities for the safety of the establishments to safeguard democracy, reminiscent of unbiased judiciaries, a functioning parliamentary system with efficient opposition events, vibrant media and civil society organisations. It should turn out to be a rustic that may 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 as a consequence of troubles within the monetary sector and export market, however a sturdy agriculture sector, vibrant home actual property market and remittances will preserve 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).
© Inter Press Service (2024) — All Rights ReservedOriginal supply: Inter Press Service
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