Bangladesh Crisis: Political Background and Impact on India
- aishwarya sinha
- Sep 6, 2024
- 4 min read
In 1971, when the nation of Bangladesh was formed, the citizens of the country had hopes of a future where democracy would flourish and citizens would play a very important role in determining the future of their country. Fast forward to today, this hope seems to have been crushed as Bangladesh is currently engaged in a political crisis marked by an authoritarian government, allegations of corruption and lots of public unrest.
POLITICAL BACKGROUND
In 1972, the Bangladesh government reserved 30 percent of all government jobs for the descendants of freedom fighters. Hence, 30 percent of jobs were reserved for freedom fighters and their descendants, 10 percent for people from backward districts, 10 percent for women, 0.5 percent for minorities and 1 percent for physically challenged people. This system was implemented until 2018 when widespread protests prompted the court to abolish it. However, on 5 June, 2024, the High Court of Bangladesh passed a verdict reinstating the 30 percent reservation for the successors of freedom fighters. This verdict led to widespread protests in the country by students and youth.
The protest was initially very peaceful but due to the clash of the protesters with pro-government groups and youth political group, Bangladesh Chhatra League, police forces were deployed by the government to suppress the protests. The police brutally suppressed the protests by using batons, tear gas and at times even by firing at the protesters. According to the United Nations, over 200 people have been killed, more than 1000 injured and over 10,000 people detained. In an attempt to pacify the protesters, on 21 July, the Supreme Court ruled that only 5 percent of jobs would be reserved for freedom fighters. However, the protesters were not satisfied and on 22 July they announced a 48 hour suspension of protests to allow the government to meet their demands which included a personal
apology from Sheikh Hasina for the death of protesters', arrest or resignation of officials involved in the crackdown of protests, compensation for victims and their families, etc. Since the demands were not met, the protest restarted on 30 July.
Instead of negotiating with the protesters, Sheikh Hasina responded by calling the protesters 'terrorists' and 'Razakars' (term used for people who supported Pakistan during the Liberation War of 1971), put the blame of the protests on the opposition and ordered the police to shoot people who did not follow the curfew. This further aggravated the protests and converted it into a movement against the Sheikh Hasina government itself. Bangladesh was already facing massive unemployment and inflation. The Hasina government also has a poor human rights record, suggesting that beneath her secular outlook, there is a lack of democratic freedom. These socio-economic issues added fuel to the protests. The Protesters further declared the Sheikh Hasina government as authoritarian and corrupt. The General Election of 2024 served as an example of its undemocratic approach to politics.
BANGLADESH GENERAL ELECTION 2024
For a very long time, Bangladesh's politics has been dominated by the Awami League (led by Sheikh Hasina) and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (led by Khaleda Zia). There has been an intense competition between both the parties in every election held in Bangladesh till now. In January 2024, General Election were held in Bangladesh, but this election was very controversial as it was boycotted by the opposition party, BNP. The BNP wanted a neutral interim government to take charge of the country while the elections were being held as they did not trust the Election Commission which was working under Sheikh Hasina's government. Sheikh Hasina did not accept this demand, leading to widespread protests by the opposition party. In order to suppress the protest, Sheikh Hasina cracked down on opposition parties and silenced the critics of the government, due to which BNP boycotted the elections. The Awami League won the election for the fourth consecutive term but the voter turnout was less than 10 percent according to the Election Commission.
SHEIKH HASINA'S RESIGNATION
On 5 August, 2024, Sheikh Hasina resigned from the post of Prime Minister, after she was warned by the army and fled to India along with her sister, Sheikh Rehana. The protesters attacked Gono Bhaban ( PM's Official Residence) and Sudha Sadan (Private Residence of Sheikh Hasina) was looted and set on fire. Mohammed Shahabuddin, the President of Bangladesh, declared the formation of an Interim government. Muhammad Yunus has been serving as the Chief Adviser of the Interim Government since 8 August, 2024.
IMPACT ON INDIA
India shares 4096 km long border with Bangladesh and Bangladesh is strategically very important for India. Sheikh Hasina played an important role in keeping religious extremists and Anti-Indian elements under check. But the new interim government's stance is still unclear. One of the major reasons of concern for India is the possibility of tensions in the Northeast due to infiltration of Bangladeshis. Under Sheikh Hasina's government, Bangladesh was able to manage both India and China. But now it is not clear whether the new interim government would follow a similar policy or not. There are also humanitarian concerns regarding the violence against Hindus, the minority community in Bangladesh. Since 2016, India has provided a loan of USD 8 billion to Bangladesh for rail and road projects such as
Khulna-Mongla Port Rail Line and Akhaura-Agartala Rail Line. These projects can play a very important role in increasing India's access to the northeast region, but due to the current upheaval in Bangladesh, the future of these projects can be seriously affected.
The ongoing crisis in Bangladesh can have a significant impact on regional geopolitics and the coming months will determine how new geopolitical challenges will unfold. India needs to navigate this changing landscape in Bangladesh carefully to maintain cooperation and friendship.
IMAGE CREDITS:
News18
Newsdrum
Samvada World
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