Amid and After Protests
Perhaps nobody would have predicted that after winning the election to serve as Prime Minister of the country just a few months earlier, someone would have to leave the country by resigning within a short amount of time amid a widespread protest. Prior to the shocking event that brought an abrupt end to her 15-year rule in Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina was revered by her fans as the "iron lady" and was elected to a record-breaking fourth consecutive term this year, and it was also her fifth in general. Though the main opposition parties' boycotts and suspicions of rigging harmed the election's credibility, she was among the world's longest-serving female heads of government. After Bangladesh was liberated, Mujib instituted an unpopular government job quota system, which kicked off a series of events that ultimately resulted in Ms. Hasina's ouster. In Bangladesh, approximately 50% of government positions were set aside for various groups, with 30% of those positions going to Awami League (AL)
employees who were descended from freedom fighters. Following demonstrations, Ms. Hasina abolished this scheme in 2018. In June 2024, the Bangladesh High Court brought back the previous system. Student demonstrations were sparked by this, initially on college campuses. Ms. Hasina misunderstood the extent of the students rage. She also misjudged the power of her political opponents. The students felt offended when she said, "If not for descendants of freedom fighters, should we create quotas for those of Razakars?" Razakar is a disparaging term in Bangladesh for people who supported the Pakistan Army's suppression effort during the 1971 Liberation War. As the movement grew, she unleashed both police and AL activists on the protestors, who became violent. That was ineffective, and the issue spiralled out of control. Ms. Hasina ultimately paid a severe price for her arrogance of power and the loss of the mass connection that drove her to high office. About 200 people were killed in conflicts in July alone; the majority of them were protestors. The growing national movement revealed the
underlying dissatisfaction with Hasina's increasingly autocratic leadership as well as the unbridled corruption, nepotism, and haughtiness that obscured any economic and development achievements she proudly exhibited, both domestically and internationally. Bangladesh's economy improved from being among the poorest in the world to having one of the fastest growth rates in the region under her leadership. The World Bank estimates that in the last 20 years, over 25 million people have been lifted out of poverty, and the nation's per capita income has tripled in just ten years. Although Hasina's economic accomplishments were admirable, her use of force and contempt for democratic principles ultimately brought about her fall. The country's economic progress has been hampered by rampant corruption as well as the COVID-19 pandemic. Unemployment has skyrocketed, with 30 million people out of work in a population of 170 million. Foreign exchange reserves have decreased by 44% in three years, creating concerns about Bangladesh's ability to repay multilateral loans. This year, the value of
the Bangladeshi currency has decreased by 28%. Following the first series of demonstrations, the Bangladesh Supreme Court reduced the quota system, limiting reservations for the descendants of independence fighters to 5%. While the students were not ready to call off their protest, they demanded on August 4th, a new round of protests, that Sheikh Hasina be removed. In addition, they sought an investigation into the murders of more than 200 of their comrades. By then, it was clear that Ms. Hasina's position had been diminished significantly. The military stated that it would uphold its constitutional commitments but would not use force against protestors. The dead toll from the anti-government protests exceeded 440. But it is comforting that the country was able to quickly form an interim government. The student protesters clearly proposed Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus to lead the interim administration. He has described this as the nation's second independence, with the youth determining its course. Yunus was sworn in as chief adviser to
the interim administration and is expected to act as de facto prime minister until an election can be called. He is assisted by an advisory committee made up of people from different fields, and he stated that reunifying the nation should come first and foremost upon his arrival in Dhaka from abroad. He must ensure that the military remains in their barracks. The military has a tarnished background. Hasina's tenure has fostered a healthy relationship between the two countries; her departure could jeopardise this by affecting growing trade ties, restricting the movement of people and goods, and stalling the two countries' free trade agreement (FTA), as it is unclear whether an FTA plan will proceed under Bangladesh's interim government. India will need to adapt since Bangladesh's old order has irrevocably shifted. In the current context of a heated border dispute with Pakistan, the Loc, and the Indian army's prolonged impasse with the PLA in eastern Ladakh, India cannot afford to have another front open. Instability in the northeastern region of India is still rooted in the Myanmar border. In order to restore order and
safeguard the lives, liberty, and property of its citizens, India should reaffirm its unwavering support for Yunus and the military forces. Its unequivocal support for the new leadership in Dhaka is crucial to preventing the situation from worsening, and it should reach out to student movement leaders to learn more about their objectives. India should indicate its willingness to strengthen bilateral economic ties with a successor government. Hasina's resignation and departure don't indicate well for an already distressed Bangladesh. In addition to ensuring free and fair elections in which all parties participate, the interim government's primary priorities must be re-establishing public trust, re-establishing peace and order, and ensuring the safety of all Bangladeshis. A few extremists have used the instability to target Hindus, Ahmedis, a Muslim minority group, and Awami League officials. According to the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, minorities' homes and stores were plundered in numerous areas. Awami League offices were vandalised, and hundreds of party officials and
sympathisers were slain. Bangladesh has undergone a rapid transition. Several questions will need to be addressed in the coming days. In an interview, Hasina's son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, stated that Sheikh Hasina, who resigned as Prime Minister and left Bangladesh, will return to the country as soon as democracy is restored, contradicting his previous stance. However, it is still unclear whether she would return as a "retired or active" politician.
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