BANGLADESH has been dominated by the long-serving Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the daughter of the country’s founding father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Her tenure has been marked by an increasingly autocratic style of governance. Sheikh Hasina has served as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh for over two decades, first from 1996 to 2001 and again from 2009 to the present. In the January 2024 elections, her party, the Awami League, once again claimed victory, making her the longest-serving female head of government in the world. However, her time in office has not been without controversy. Accusations of electoral fraud and vote rigging have plagued her administrations, with opposition parties and international observers frequently raising concerns about the integrity of the electoral process.
The roots of Hasina’s political journey are deeply entwined with the history of Bangladesh. Following the assassination of her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, in 1975, Hasina was in Europe. She initially sought refuge in the Bangladeshi Embassy in Germany before receiving asylum in India. She spent several years in exile there, forming a close relationship with the then Indian Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi. This period of exile was crucial in shaping her political acumen and her strategies for consolidating power upon her return to Bangladesh in 1981, where she was warmly welcomed by her supporters and soon took over the leadership of the Awami League.
During her time in exile, Hasina’s interactions with Indira Gandhi and other Indian political figures significantly influenced her approach to governance. Many political analysts believe that she learned a great deal about maintaining power and control from her Indian counterparts. This influence is evident in her administration’s strong-handed tactics and the implementation of policies designed to solidify her party’s hold on power.
One of the most contentious policies of Hasina’s government has been the implementation of a quota system in civil services, police, secret agencies, higher education, and even judiciary administration. This system reserves a significant portion of government jobs for the children and grandchildren of those who fought in the 1971 Liberation War against Pakistan. While intended to Honor the contributions of freedom fighters, this policy has been criticized for perpetuating inequality and favouring a specific segment of the population at the expense of merit-based recruitment.
The quota system has sparked widespread protests, particularly among university and college students, as well as young professionals who feel marginalized by the policy. These protests reached a boiling point in July 2024 when the High Court reinstated the quota system, leading to violent clashes between protesters and the police. The unrest saw thousands of students taking to the streets, armed with sticks and rocks, facing off against armed police in cities across Bangladesh, including Dhaka, Chattogram, Rangpur, and Cumilla. The government’s response was swift and severe, with schools, colleges, universities, major shopping centres, and key government offices being closed, and a curfew imposed alongside internet blackouts.
The violence resulted in significant casualties, with 39 people reported killed and thousands injured. Protesters set fire to numerous buildings, including the state-run TV station, police stations, and government offices. The brutal crackdown on protesters drew international condemnation. Amnesty International released a report highlighting the excessive use of force by police and the failure of the Bangladeshi authorities to protect the rights of peaceful demonstrators. The report included witness testimonies, video evidence, and photographic analysis, all of which confirmed the unlawful actions of the police. It also pointed to a pattern of violence by the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), a student organization affiliated with the ruling Awami League, against protesters.
The ongoing turmoil has not only highlighted the deep-seated political issues in Bangladesh but also brought to the fore the voices of the Bangladeshi diaspora. Many Bangladeshi expatriates living in Sydney, Australia, have expressed their concerns about the situation in their home country. These individuals, many of whom are political activists, journalists, and entrepreneurs, have found themselves blacklisted by the Bangladeshi government and unable to return home. They report that Hasina’s administration has been relentless in its efforts to silence dissent, often resorting to imprisonment and torture of political opponents.
Being a journalist of Pakistani background, during interviews with members of the Bangladeshi community in Sydney, a common sentiment emerged: the need for justice, meritocracy, freedom of speech, and peace in both Bangladesh and Pakistan. These expatriates believe that despite the historical animosities, the current political and social challenges faced by both nations require a collaborative approach. A local Bangladeshi journalist emphasized that both Pakistan and Bangladesh suffer from corruption and autocratic governance. He argued that sincere leadership in both countries should focus on establishing friendly and mutually beneficial relations, rather than perpetuating old rivalries. He also pointed out the irony of India’s role in supporting the creation of Bangladesh in 1971 and its current support for Hasina’s government, which is seen as increasingly authoritarian.
China, a significant investor in Bangladesh, has also expressed concerns over the current instability. Beijing has invested billions of dollars in infrastructure projects, including highways, bridges, and tunnels, and views the ongoing unrest as a threat to these investments. Chinese officials have reportedly urged Sheikh Hasina to restore peace and stability in the country and to reconsider her government’s close ties with India, which China views with suspicion.
The political landscape in Bangladesh remains fraught with tension. As Sheikh Hasina continues her tenure as Prime Minister, the challenges to her leadership grow more pronounced. The quota system protests are just one manifestation of the broader discontent with her administration. As Bangladesh navigates this period of turmoil, the future of its democracy and governance remains uncertain. The voices of the Bangladeshi people, both at home and abroad, call for a more just and equitable society, free from the shadows of autocracy and corruption. Only time will tell if these aspirations can be realized in the face of ongoing political challenges.
—The writer is journalist and author, based in Sydney, Australia.
