Crisis in Bangladesh by Nuzhat Shahzadi

Dr. Yunus, the Nobel laureate, was sworn in on 8 August, 2024 as the leader of the caretaker government in Bangladesh. The president and the Bangladesh army chief played pivotal roles in making sure the interim caretaker government is in charge.

The world watched as the political crisis in Bangladesh unfolded. The students uprising over the quota system was the last straw. Discontentment over the years was building up and it exploded. Quota system, as explained in a nutshell in Mahboob Shareef bhai's recently published article in XUNICE blog is as follows:

"In 1972, Sheikh Mujubur Rahman (father of the nation) created quota for freedom fighters, and rape victims of Pakistan military. After his assassination in 1975, quota was extended to women, people from underdeveloped areas, ethnic minorities.

Over the years, the number of freedom fighters to avail the quota reduced as they grew older left the workforce or died. Hasina's government wanted to extend the quota to the children and grandchildren of the freedom fighters which the general population feared would lead to corruption and nepotism––benefiting only her party members".

Oppression and suppression of any voice of dissent with the ruling regime of Awami League (AL) was crushed with iron hands. Dissenters just vanished–– thrown to rot in secret prisons, tortured and killed. No one could speak out the truth. People carefully avoided discussing political issues, about the party in power. Citizens were robbed of their fundamental rights––freedom. Under AL, corruption at all levels was institutionalized and only the party-members and their followers benefited the most––economically, politically and opportunistically. The middle class, poor and the general population struggled to make ends meet though economic progress was happening. But AL and their gangs ate all the cream––others were left out, parched. Unfair economic conditions, nepotism and corruption were at the core eroding away the morals and ethics of the society.

According to investigative journalists, observers (I connected with some, researched and read articles. Kindly refer to the links below) and the book published a few years ago by the Indian writer Yatish Yadav, India dominated in Bangladesh's politics/ and dictated the political strategies of AL. RAW/R&AW, the Indian spy machine was active in Bangladesh (before and after its independence) and was the brain behind political missteps and ruthless policies by Hasina that led to her autocratic rule, anarchy and chaos. Yadav and others also point to Pakistani and American spies (CIA).

Peoples' discontentment was forming into rage . . . Hasina refused or failed to recognize the brewing resistance to her and her party's corrupt, unfair mandates. She had strong connection with India throughout her rule, and the current Indian PM Modi–– was assured all support, a safe haven to run to which she actually did on the afternoon of 5 August after the killings of over 250 students (many are still missing, buried in unmarked graves/ditches, and unreported). Hasina is at a safe house (currently?) at the Hindon airbase in Ghaziabad, India.

After Hasina fled to India, the country was jubilant but vandalism and looting were reported. The PM's official residence and the properties of her party members have been looted. Waves of misinformation also flooded the social media––baseless rumors are spread. Police and army weren't deployed fully––were scantily positioned to guard the airport and at strategic locations. It's believed that self-interest-fueled miscreants grabbed this opportunity to engage in anti-social conducts. Reports of vandalism of Hindu and Buddhist temples surfaced which was denounced by all quarters. The students, madrasa attendees/mullahs began guarding the sacred temples.

A mullah is offering prayer while on duty, guarding a Hindu Temple in Dhaka

The students also took over the role of traffic police in many busy street-junctions in the absence of police. There was a strong claim that R&AW members infiltrated the police and in police-uniforms were engaged in the killing of students.

At present, para-militia forces have been deployed–– students are also engaged in maintaining law and order. Police and army presence are still not in full force.

Hasina stayed in power for 15 years––turned the country into a one-party system by ruthlessly suppressing opponents, rigging elections and crushing the voices of the people.

The stories of years of oppression and torture of opponents have been unearthed after she fled the country. Bangladesh deserves better.

It is expected that in the aftermath of the unstoppable Zen Z revolution/student-uprising, the country will move ahead with hopes of effective, fair governance. Dr Yunus (84) returned to the country to steer it towards normalcy accepting the demand of the students. The current interim government consists of 17 members, (4 women, 1 retired army General, 1 Hindu member, 1 member from the indigenous population, 2 student leaders, etc.). A fair election will be held participated by all political parties in the near future.

I remain hopeful.

(Note: my article is based on discussions with Bangladeshis in-country, overseas, prominent news media reports, newspaper reports, political analysis––local and international. It's for the readers to make an informed decision regarding the current crisis in Bangladesh, its causes and the overall situation. I reported what I believe is closer to the truth).