Every time the Bangladeshi people sought to end an autocratic government, it resulted in significant protests and bloodshed.
This pattern was recently exemplified by student-led initiatives initially aimed at reforming the government employment quota system, which eventually culminated in the government's fall, and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fleeing to India.
Unlike previous anti-government protests, this movement was predominantly driven by ordinary people, especially university students and recent graduates.
These young people are struggling to navigate the country’s economic crisis and see government jobs as a means to gain stability and access to power and resources, sometimes through legal means and sometimes otherwise.
The extreme manifestation of corruption in Bangladesh underscores the severity of the situation. This problem has not only intensified under the recent government but has persisted since the country’s inception.
The disparity between those who can access and benefit from the corrupt system — such as government officials and politicians in power — and those who are excluded, highlights a significant societal divide. This deep-seated corruption perpetuates inequality and undermines trust in public institutions, exacerbating the challenges faced by ordinary people.
Government positions are perceived as offering a comfortable and affluent lifestyle with relatively less effort compared to other careers. In contrast, the private sector, which could have been a good choice for many graduates, often feels like modern slavery. Those in power exploit their positions or are involved in nepotism, leaving others to endure harsh working conditions.
This stark contrast highlights the challenges faced by young adults seeking stable and fair employment opportunities. The public and private sectors need reform, but the government has never made sufficient effort to do so.
Shockingly, the Awami League government, instead of addressing the demands of the movement, responded by deploying police forces in a brutal crackdown, including attacking students. As a result, even after the quota system was reformed — though there is debate about the effectiveness and scientific basis of the new system — the protests continued, demanding justice for those injured or killed during the crackdown.
With more than 100 confirmed casualties reported by official sources — possibly more in actual number — the protests also called for the government to resign.
There is widespread dissatisfaction with the government. People perceive that the last national election was unfair, leading to a belief that the government is autocratic due to its prolonged hold on power. Compounding this is the severe economic crisis exacerbated by the pandemic.
Overturning the government might not resolve the economic crisis overnight. However, it could offer hope for a better future. Students and ordinary people are calling for a transparent government that will genuinely serve the country. However, there is uncertainty about who will establish such a government. This situation has become a national crisis. The search for a suitable government continues, which could potentially result in prolonged military-backed interim government.
The question is: are the people of Bangladesh prepared to endure this?
In the past, interim governments controlled by the military often treated the entire country as being under their command. The last interim government was brought down after a similar protest initiated by students at Dhaka University.
However, the scenario was different then, as political parties were actively involved, unlike this time when most political parties in Bangladesh are fragmented and weakened.
While history may repeat itself, the military is facilitating the transition of power and met with leaders from Jamaat-e-Islami (an Islamic political party), the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and others.
While the liaison initiative is unfolding, people have been observed destroying public property in the absence of effective law enforcement. People are taking revenge on each other, which may not be entirely political but often personal.
This chaotic scenario has terrified many innocent people. Some fear that either military or Islamic power might come to the forefront, a prospect that many Bangladeshis do not support.
As a result of the students’ demands, Dr Muhammad Yunus — a social entrepreneur, banker, economist and civil society leader who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 — has been brought in as head of a new interim caretaker government.
In 2007, during the tenure of the previous interim government, Dr Yunus attempted to establish a political party but later decided against continuing the effort. Many Bangladeshis believe he is strongly backed by the United States government. However, there are lingering questions about the backgrounds of other advisers in the interim government. Some of these advisers have sparked controversy due to their political views, especially those aligned with Islamic ideologies.
Rather than rely on military force or an interim government for too long, hopefully the protesters will advocate for fair elections. While it may take time, it is crucial to establish a clear timeline for this.
This would allow the weakened political parties, particularly those affected during the Awami government's tenure, to restore their strength. Additionally, grassroots leaders and politicians who were excluded from the decision-making process by Hasina need to be included. This could lead to improved governance and better living conditions for everyone.
Though the people of Bangladesh may not rely on any political party anymore, to keep the country's sovereignty alive, it is essential to have a democratically-elected government that fulfills the aspirations for sovereignty and self-determination.
[Dr Sabrina Syed is an academic at the University of Newcastle, Australia.]