If the lasting frustration of the youth continues for a long time and the politicians do not take suitable measure to meet their grievances, it may prove disastrous for the country
The political upheaval that rocked the 15-year-old establishment of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was an accumulated effect of political conditions prevailing there. It seems to have its genesis in 1971 when Bangladesh was born, which she failed to anticipate. The political storm was formed out of the lull created by her repressive measures to suppress the unrest and the opposition.
Of course, the recent students' agitation was the immediate cause of the outburst of overthrowing her. The movement was against the reservation quota for the family members of the 1971 veterans who fought for the independence of Bangladesh. Though Mujibur Rahman had introduced the system, it was abolished by the military regime. Hasina restarted it. However she had to cancel it due the students' protests in 2018. Again it was reinstated by the High court, which fueled the agitation. Despite the reduction of the quota by the Supreme Court, it could not cool down due to her criticisms of the agitators and the government's repressive measures. And it is history now that she fled to India on August 5 to save her life.
At the initiative of the army, an advisory government under the leadership of Nobel laureate Mohammad Yunus has been formed. He has to deal with the agitators who are bent upon taking revenge not only on Hasina but on her loyal government officials and members of the Awami League on the one hand and assure safety to the minority communities, on the other. After all, the Awami League is a political force that can hardly be annihilated. The main task before the government is to prepare a roadmap to hold elections at the earliest to restore democracy.
Looking back, Bangladesh is the youngest country of South Asia created in 1971. Hither to, it was West Pakistan, which was the result of the partition of India in August 1947. Mujibur Rahman, who achieved independence with support from India, was not allowed to lead the country, as he was assassinated along with all family members except his two daughters on August 15, 1975, the independence day of India.
Ziaur Rahman, who led the military coup, ruled the country from 1975 to 1981. Another military General Hussain Mohammed Ershad replaced him who ruled the country from 1982 to 1990. Thus there was military rule for 15 years.
Its politics changed gradually, as Khaleda Zia, the widow of Ziaur Rahman who was assassinated by Ershad and Sheikh Hasina, joined hands against Ershad, paving the way for the restoration of parliamentary system. A caretaker government was formed to hold the general election in 1991. Khalida Zia became prime minister and completed her five-year term.
The tradition of holding elections by caretaker governments continued in 1996, 2001 and 2008. Hasina formed the government in 1996, and in 2001 Khaleda won again. After Hasina was elected the second time in 2009, she abolished the system in 2011. Khaleda opposed it vehemently, and ultimately, she did not participate in the 2024 election. She was put behind bars on charges of corruption. Hasina's intolerance of opposing voices and ignoring the opposition was the second major cause of the joint agitation. Her decision to rule the country single-handedly ultimately warranted her downfall.
Hasina's actions and decisions, one after another, led the people to hold that she was no longer a democratic leader to lead the infantile democracy, which was taken over by the military time and again. Her sudden departure from the political scene was not the effect of her authoritarian rule alone but also of the constant and concerted efforts to dislodge her from power ever since she became prime minister.
The powerful elements opposing Sheikh Mujibur Rahman did not like to see his heir Hasina to lead an independent and secular Bangladesh having good relations with India. The breaking of the statue of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and burning the houses of Hindus, the minority community, are a few instances. The conspiracy, which started several years back was, of course, got gradually strengthened by her authoritarian rule. Moreover, Islamic extremism added by the political force led Khaleda led to the explosion of the situation.
The legal provision of reserving 30 per cent quota for the family members of the independence war victims was morally justified during the early days of independence. It was not practical to reintroduce it after two or three decades. The new generations have not experienced the atrocities that their parents experienced. Perhaps, they might not have learnt them from their history books, which have not recorded objectively the struggle of the people. The new generation, which is fighting for their existence and better living, did not see any justification for such reservation. The limited opportunities for their employment forced them to revolt against the reservation.
Generally, politicians are blinded by the absolute power they enjoy. They are never reluctant to leave power and want to cling on to it in any manner. They do not realise that continuation in power for a long time makes people repulsive towards them. Unemployment of the youth and despair among the common people may erupt like a volcano abruptly.
Our leaders should learn from the recent political development in Bangladesh. If the lasting frustration among the youth and people continues for a long time on the one hand and the politicians do not take suitable measure to meet their grievances, on the other hand, it may prove disastrous for the country. Our leaders are fortunate and they must thank themselves for sending hundreds of youth abroad every day as migrant workers, and the government is searching for new destinations for them.
Mishra is former election commissioner
