Bangladesh, a country in South Asia with a population of over 170 million people, is gearing up for its next national election in 2023. The election is already mired in controversy, with the opposition accusing the ruling Awami League of rigging the polls. The international community is also watching the election system closely, with concerns that it will not be free and fair. The outcome of the election will have a significant impact on Bangladesh’s future, and it is likely to be a major event in the global south.
Here are some of the specific concerns about the upcoming election:
- The government has been accused of suppressing dissent and human rights abuses.
- There have been several cases of extrajudicial killings by the security forces.
- The opposition has been largely excluded from the electoral process.
- There are allegations that the ruling party is using its control over the media to manipulate public opinion.
The outcome of the election is uncertain, but the stakes are high. If the election is not free and fair, it could lead to further instability and violence in Bangladesh. The international community has a responsibility to ensure that the election is held in a transparent and democratic manner.
You Can Also Read: MALPRACTICE IN DIPLOMACY?
Bangladesh has a long history of political protests, especially from the fall of long authoritarian military regime in 1991. In recent years, there have been several large-scale protests too. These protests have been sparked by a variety of factors, including rising commodity costs, inflation, allegations of corruption, and most importantly vote rigging. Besides there are few more protests demonstrating some mass expectations from the government in specific area in last 15 years.
1990’S PROTEST
Mostly, the protests were a sign of the growing dissatisfaction with the government among the Bangladeshi people. The 1990 mass uprising in Bangladesh was a series of popular protests that led to the fall of General Hussain Muhammad Ershad, who had ruled the country since 1982. The protests were organized by a coalition of opposition parties, including the Bangladesh Awami League (AL) and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). The protests began on October 10, 1990, and quickly gained momentum. By December, hundreds of thousands of people were taking to the streets in Dhaka. The protests were met with a heavy crackdown by the government, which used tear gas, rubber bullets, and live ammunition to disperse the crowds. Despite the government’s efforts to suppress the protests, they continued to grow in size and intensity. On December 4, 1990, the protests reached a climax when hundreds of thousands gathered in Dhaka for a mass rally. The rally was followed by a violent clash between protesters and security forces, in which at least 50 people were killed. The violence of December 4, 1990, was the final straw for the government. Ershad resigned as president the following day, and was replaced by an interim government. The 1990 mass uprising was a watershed moment in Bangladesh’s history, and it helped to usher in a new era of democracy and freedom in the country.
Here are some of the reasons why people protested against the government in Bangladesh after 1990:
- Economic hardship: The 1990s were a difficult time for the Bangladeshi economy. The country was hit by a series of natural disasters, including floods and cyclones, which caused widespread damage and displacement. The economy also slowed down due to global economic recession. These factors led to widespread poverty and unemployment, which made people more likely to protest against the government.
- Political corruption: The government of General Ershad was widely seen as corrupt. Ershad and his associates were accused of using their positions to enrich themselves at the expense of the public. This corruption led to widespread anger and resentment among the people.
- Human rights abuses: The government of General Ershad was also accused of human rights abuses. Opposition activists were frequently arrested and detained without charge. There were also reports of torture and extrajudicial killings by the security forces. These human rights abuses further alienated the people from the government.
The protests that took place after 1990 were a sign that the people were tired of living under authoritarian rule. They demanded a government that was more accountable to the people and that would respect their fundamental rights. The protests helped to bring about several positive changes in Bangladesh, including the restoration of democracy and the improvement of human rights.
1996’S PROTEST
The 1996 protests in Bangladesh were a series of large-scale demonstrations that took place in March and April of that year. The protests were sparked by the results of the February 1996 general election, which were widely seen as fraudulent. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by Khaleda Zia, won the election with a landslide victory. However, the opposition Bangladesh Awami League (AL), led by Sheikh Hasina, alleged that the election had been rigged.
The protests began on March 2, 1996, when AL supporters took to the streets in Dhaka. The protests quickly spread to other parts of the country, and within days, hundreds of thousands of people were demonstrating. The protests were largely peaceful, but there were some violent clashes between protesters and security forces. At least 120 people were killed in the protests. The protests eventually forced the government to resign. On March 19, 1996, Khaleda Zia stepped down as prime minister, and Sheikh Hasina was sworn in as the new prime minister. The 1996 protests were a watershed moment in Bangladesh’s history, and they helped to usher in a new era of democracy and freedom in the country.
1996 protests in Bangladesh were a significant event in the country’s history. The protests were a sign of the growing dissatisfaction with the BNP government, and they helped to pave the way for the election of the AL government in 1996. The protests also helped to raise awareness of the issue of electoral fraud in Bangladesh, and they also contributed to the eventual adoption of a new electoral system in 2008.
2006’S MOVEMENT
In 2006, Bangladesh was facing a political crisis. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) had been in power for two terms (in 1991 and 2001), and there were widespread allegations of corruption and electoral fraud during the local election. The opposition Bangladesh Awami League (AL) was demanding that a new election commission be formed to ensure that the next election would be free and fair.
In October 2006, a coalition of opposition parties, including the AL, launched a movement demanding the formation of a new election commission. The movement quickly gained momentum, and soon there were mass protests taking place across the country. The protesters blocked roads, burned tires, and clashed with security forces. The movement eventually forced the government to resign. On January 11, 2007, President Iajuddin Ahmed stepped down, and a caretaker government was formed. The caretaker government was tasked with overseeing the next election, which was held in December 2008. The AL won the election, and Sheikh Hasina became prime minister.
The 2006 movement for a fair election commission was a significant event in Bangladesh’s history and it showed that the people of Bangladesh were determined to ensure that their votes would be counted fairly. The movement led to the formation of a new election commission, which was seen as more independent and impartial than the previous commission. The movement also showed that the people of Bangladesh are willing to take to the streets to demand their rights, and it helped to strengthen democracy in Bangladesh.
2013’S HANG WAR CRIMINALS MOVEMENT
The Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971 was a bloody conflict that resulted in the independence of Bangladesh from Pakistan. During the war, Pakistani soldiers and their collaborators committed numerous atrocities against the Bengali people, including mass killings, rape, and torture. In 2010, the Bangladesh government established the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) to try war criminals. The ICT has convicted and sentenced several war criminals to death, but many others remain at large.
In 2013, a group of students in Bangladesh launched a protest movement demanding the execution of all convicted war criminals. The protests, which were known as the Shahbagh movement, attracted widespread support from the people. The Shahbagh movement helped to raise awareness of the issue of war crimes in Bangladesh and to put pressure on the government to bring all war criminals to justice.
The key demands of the hang war criminals movement include:
- Execution of all convicted war criminals: Protesters argue that the death penalty is necessary to ensure justice for the victims of war crimes, demanding the government promptly execute all convicted war criminals.
- Establishment of a truth and reconciliation commission: Protesters call for the government to set up a truth and reconciliation commission to thoroughly investigate war crimes committed during the Bangladesh Liberation War. They believe this would aid in healing past wounds and providing closure for victims and their families.
- Reform of the education system: Protesters advocate for the government to reform the education system, incorporating the history of war crimes in Bangladesh. They believe this would help prevent future atrocities by educating future generations about the consequences of such actions.
The hang war criminals movement had successfully exerted pressure on the government regarding war crimes. Sustained pressure, holding the government accountable, and continued public education on war crimes are crucial for the movement’s progress and to ensure justice for the victims.
MAY 5, 2013’S ISLAMIC MOVEMENT
On May 5, 2013, thousands of members from the group Hefazat-e-Islam (Protectors of Islam) gathered in Dhaka, Bangladesh, to protest the government’s alleged persecution of Muslims, specifically the war criminals of 1971’s freedom fight. The protesters demanded that the government enact a blasphemy law, ban mixed-sex education, and remove all non-Muslim symbols from public spaces. The protests quickly turned violent, with the militants clashing with police and security forces. The security forces responded with tear gas and rubber bullets, and at least 20 people were killed in the violence. The protests also spread to other parts of Bangladesh, with clashes reported in Chattogram, Sylhet, Rajshahi and in most of the districts.The May 5, 2013 protests were the largest and most violent demonstrations that the Hefazat-e-Islam movement had ever organized.
In the aftermath of the protests, the government cracked down on the Hefazat-e-Islam movement and also enacted several measures to curb extremism, including the introduction of a new anti-terrorism law.
SAFE ROAD MOVEMENT
On July 28, 2018, two schoolgirls, Nusrat Jahan Rafi and Jannatul Ferdous Peya, were killed by a speeding bus in Dhaka. The deaths sparked a nationwide student protest movement demanding safer roads. The students’ demands included:
- Reducing the speed limit in Dhaka to 40 kmph.
- Making helmets compulsory for motorcyclists.
- Providing safe pedestrian crossings.
- Improving the training of drivers and traffic police.
The number of road accidents in Bangladesh has continued to rise. In 2019, there were 7,221 road deaths, up from 6,926 in 2018. The Safe Road Movement has had some positive impact, but more needs to be done to make Bangladesh’s roads safer. Here are some additional details about the Safe Road Movement. Firstly, the protests were organized by students from across Bangladesh, including both school and university students. Secondly, the protests were largely peaceful, but there were some incidents of violence between the students and the police. Thirdly, the protests attracted widespread media attention, both in Bangladesh and internationally. Finally, the protests led to the resignation of the transport minister and the formation of a new road safety committee. Fundamentally, The Safe Road Movement is a reminder that the issue of road safety is a serious one in Bangladesh.
Government response: The government responded to the protests by forming a road safety committee and introducing some new traffic regulations. In August 2023, the government announced several measures to improve road safety, including:
- Increasing the number of traffic police officers
- Conducting regular road safety campaigns
- Imposing stricter penalties for traffic violations
- Investing in road infrastructure
QUOTA FREE MOVEMENT IN GOVERNMENT JOBS AND UNIVERSITY ADMISSIONS
The quota system in Bangladesh is a system of reserving a certain percentage of government jobs and university admissions for certain groups of people, such as freedom fighters, women, and members of ethnic minorities. The system has been in place since Bangladesh’s independence in 1971, and it has been a source of controversy for many years. In December 2022, a group of students in Bangladesh launched a protest movement demanding the abolition of the quota system. The protesters argued that the system is unfair and discriminatory, and that it prevents the most qualified people from getting government jobs and university admissions.
“Power always depends for its strength and existence upon a replenishment of its sources by the cooperation of numerous institutions and people – cooperation that does not have to continue.”
—Gene Sharp, theorist of non-violent resistance & founder of the Albert Einstein Institute
As the protests continued, the government began to take them more seriously. In January 2023, the government announced a set of reforms to the quota system. The reforms reduced the number of jobs and university admissions reserved for certain groups of people, and they also made it easier for people from disadvantaged backgrounds to qualify for government jobs.
The most recent wave of protests especially in the last 15 years have been largely peaceful, but there have been some violent clashes between protesters and security forces. The government has so met the protesters’ demands, which are possible to meet from the governmental point of view and parliamentary system.
WHY BNP FAILS TO CONNECT WITH PEOPLE?
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has held a number of protests in the last 15 years, demanding a caretaker government, the release of political prisoners, and an end to what they see as government corruption. The protests have often been met with violence, with both BNP supporters and security forces injured or killed. In recent years, the BNP has also been critical of the government’s handling of the economy and the COVID-19 pandemic. The party’s protests have been largely unsuccessful in achieving their goals, but they have kept the issue of democracy and good governance in the spotlight in Bangladesh.
Here are some specific examples of BNP protests in the last 15 years:
In 2011, the BNP held a protest demanding the release of its leader, Khaleda Zia, who was then in prison. The protest was also met with violence, and several BNP supporters were injured. In 2014, the BNP held a protest demanding a caretaker government to oversee the upcoming elections. The protest was met with violence, and several BNP supporters were killed. In 2022, the BNP held a series of protests demanding the resignation of the government of Sheikh Hasina. The protests were met with violence, and several BNP supporters were injured. The BNP’s protests have been largely unsuccessful in achieving their goals, but they have kept the issue of democracy and good governance in the spotlight in Bangladesh.
BNP has been a major opposition party in Bangladesh for decades. However, the party has been largely unsuccessful in achieving its goals through street protests and other forms of political activism. In recent years, the BNP has increasingly turned to backroom deals and foreign support in an attempt to achieve its goals. This strategy has been met with mixed results. On the one hand, the BNP has been able to secure some concessions from the government, such as the release of some political prisoners. However, the party has been unable to achieve its major goals, such as the resignation of the government or the holding of new elections.
The BNP’s failure to achieve its goals through street protests can be attributed to a number of factors. First, the party has been unable to effectively mobilize its supporters.
The BNP’s failure to achieve its goals through street protests can be attributed to a number of factors. First, the party has been unable to effectively mobilize its supporters. The BNP’s base of support is largely urban and middle class and these voters are often apathetic about politics. Second, the government has been able to effectively suppress dissent. The security forces have been deployed to break up protests, and the government has used a combination of force and negotiation to keep the opposition under control. If the BNP is unable to deliver on its promises, it could lose the support of its base and become even more irrelevant.
Bangladesh Awami League has been in power for over a decade and has overseen a period of rapid economic growth and development. This has led to a strong sense of satisfaction among the people, who are generally supportive of the government. As a result, BNP and other opposition parties have been unable to organize effective protests or achieve their goals.
Awami League is confident to form government in the next election because of its strong economic performance, the popularity of Sheikh Hasina, the division of the opposition, and the opposition’s failure of organizing a strong protest. On the other hand, the country has overseen a period of rapid economic growth and development in Bangladesh, and the country’s GDP has grown at an average rate of 6% per year over the past decade. Sheikh Hasina is a popular figure in Bangladesh, and she is seen as a strong and experienced leader. The opposition in Bangladesh is divided and lacks a clear leader, backroom deals and foreign support have also failed miserably. These factors give Awami League a significant advantage in the next election.
