In Bangladesh, democracy is within reach, and we must unite to get there
This article was published by Policy Magazine.
Policy magazine was founded in 2013 by political columnists, erstwhile spouses and co-parents L. Ian MacDonald and Lisa Van Dusen as a pan-partisan platform for insight and analysis on Canadian politics and public policy.
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https://www.policymagazine.ca/bangladesh-post-hasina-yunus-as-leader-democracy-within-reach/
Over the past month, rampant disregard of public opinion, justice and safety, led to Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina finally meeting the one-point demand from student protestors: her resignation.
Within moments the streets of Bangladesh and diaspora neighborhoods globally were brimming with people embracing the rejoicing of the victory of democracy over authoritarianism in Bangladesh. For Bangladeshis, the widely recognized bloody July page on their calendars had finally flipped over to August 1.
Reports from largest Bengali daily outlet, Prothom Alo note that even in her final moments, the premier requested top officials to help her retain power through increasing force and stricter curfews. Widely circulating media show photos of her departing in a helicopter, with one ironically capturing her flight leaving the statue of her father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman behind.
BBC reports that the party-leader is currently in Delhi, and continues to seek asylum. Reports also suggest that influential officials from her cabinet and party-at-large are doing the same. The Awami League is yet to release any official communication on what’s next from their perspective, or any public message to the general public or its supporters on her resignation.
At the time of writing, in the Indian news channel NDTV interview from her son and former ICT advisor Sajeeb Wazed Joy stated that she is rather retiring and not seeking asylum anywhere, that Awami League is out of power and that the fate of Bangladesh is no longer his or his family’s concern. He urged India to take action to restore public safety and recalled moments of exhilaration in the party’s history and subsequent comebacks that followed thereafter. No comment was made on organizational next steps for their party.
Interim Governance
Following the Prime Minister’s resignation, the Army Chief addressed the nation, urging calm and restraint as the country transitions. He signalled another speech coming from a top official upon the completion of a discussion between a working group consisting of representatives from civil society, opposition party, the army and other key government officials.
A few hours later, the sitting (and often ceremonial) President of Bangladesh addressed the nation, accepting the Prime Minister’s resignation and embracing his key legal function of overseeing the dissolution of a parliament and ensuring new elections are conducted. He urged the public to show restraint, and cited party-leader statements to their following on maintaining law and order.
Following a full-business day, the President’s Press Secretary stated that the Executive Branch has dissolved Parliament and confirmed the “release of Hasina’s archrival, Khaleda Zia, the chief of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party, from house arrest where she languished for years”.
Around the same time, Nahid Islam, a key organizer of the student-led Anti-Discrimination movement confirmed the widely supported nomination of Dr. Muhammad Yunus to become the head advisor of an interim government, reiterating their current demand for the group overseeing the transition to accept a list of names for the interim cabinet, proposed by the protestors and supported by the general public. Unconfirmed versions of the list circulating on social media suggest Bangladeshis reputed for their fairness, non-partisanship and merit; and reflects equity.
The latest on existing governance is a reshuffle in the Bangladesh Army, removing several appointees at top positions in an effort to stabilize the country following the premier’s resignation and political turmoil that followed. Shifts were also made to appoint key personnel in government, including the foreign ministry of Bangladesh. At least for diplomats, this signals a shift in military influence in government affairs. On top, the Bangladesh Police Force have gone on strike, amid concerns of safety and labour policy reform to ensure their return to office.
Finally, at the time of writing, the President’s press secretary confirmed that Nobel Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus will be the country’s transitional leader, while Nahid Islam, the students representative re-assured reporters that “Only an interim government proposed by students who led the upsurge will be an acceptable one. That is the promise we received from Bangabhaban,” the President’s residence where the parties met. For everything the students and citizens have stood for, Bangladesh cannot accept either the army, nor any party previously reported for unjust practices and previously acquitted crimes against humanity.
Public Safety
Photos and videos across major national and international news outlets have split public opinion. On one hand was Bangladesh rejoicing from a precedential victory of the voices of the people against an unelected government. On the other was Bangladeshis in fear, confusion and agony as groups of people raided homes, looted armouries and mongered-fear at vulnerable populations. Multiple articles, tweets and mass-distribution messages have instilled fear into Bangladeshis globally, causing unnecessary division, and uncalled for anxiety at a time demanding national unity of the highest regard. The Amnesty reported death toll has now crossed 300, and other reports of deaths and targeted attacks continue to spiral on the media.
On this note, my point for Canada, and the world, is that every big party, including the ousted one, has large auxiliary organizations, including wings for students, volunteers, youth and professionals. These organizations are often known by other names, as reported by the UK Home Office, and many other international agencies over the years. A glaring gap in national security and public safety, is that the official sizes of these organizations (i.e, membership tallies) are unknown.
Without having the necessary information to draw inference, my questions to the international community of researchers, journalists and human rights advocates are: (1) Who will fill the gaps in leadership of those auxiliary organizations? (2) How can Bangladesh ensure that this political vacuum left by top officials fleeing for their safety is not filled, or misused by discriminatory political advocates and “activists” from left-right-and-centre?
To complicate this, misinformation continues to endanger public safety. In any war, especially one that questions ideology, interest-groups have historically spread false information to divide people attached to an issue, and even general people who distanced from it.
Whether it’s members and supporters of the leader-less, status-less Awami League, or the power and recognition hungry opposition parties of BNP and Jamat, spreading unverified information about motivation behind the attacks will only lead to more division and repeat a historically unresolved problem for the interim government.
Democracy is within reach, and only national unity can restore power back to the people of Bangladesh. Therefore, a rational, rights-based and sober reflection of how to navigate this vacuum is requested from civil society. Or else we are at-risk of going back to square one.
National Solidarity
Across the country, citizens, especially students, have taken the lead in restoring order and protecting their communities. As protest leaders push for democratic reforms, their supporters and the public have mobilized to safeguard public properties and at-risk communities, showcasing a remarkable display of unity and purpose.
In the wake of the chaos, student volunteers and military personnel launched extensive cleanup operations. These volunteers worked tirelessly to recover looted national treasures, returning them to their rightful places. This collaboration not only restored order but also symbolized the collective effort of millions striving for change. Social media is now awash with images of students organizing and documenting returned goods, highlighting the nation’s commitment to rebuilding.
The student-led movement’s efforts extended beyond cleanup to protecting minority communities, particularly Hindus. Students guarded the Dhakeshwari Hindu Temple and other places of worship from protestors, a protective stance that spread nationwide. In regions like Cumilla and Savar, students and Muslim clerics alike voluntarily guarded Hindu temples. The formation of ‘committees for communal harmony and protection of state assets’ further underscored the collective resolve to maintain peace and security.
Support for the students’ cause poured in from all sectors of society. Teachers, writers, farmers, workers, expatriates, development professionals, and artists all stood in solidarity, expressing shock at the violence and the loss of lives. BRAC University faculty, for instance, emphasized their commitment to a just and democratic society and decried the harassment of students. Leaders of teachers’ organizations and university faculty called for resolving the issues through dialogue and justice for the deaths.
The Expatriate Unity Council and 30 writers demanded an impartial investigation into the killings, an end to mass arrests, and the immediate release of detained individuals. They also called for lifting the curfew, reopening educational institutions, stopping harassment, and addressing the protesters’ demands.
The Bangladesh Krishak Sangram Samiti and development professionals rallied for the students, condemning the government’s authoritarian response and urging systemic change. Musicians and artists organized events like “Get Up Stand Up” to show their support, drawing large crowds and inspiring solidarity.
This widespread support and active participation from various societal sectors demonstrate a unified national front. The collective effort to achieve justice, democracy, and societal harmony during this tumultuous period in Bangladesh is not only powerful, but sensationally inspiring.
Where do we go from here?
Whether it’s Amnesty’s strong statement on prioritizing human rights, or the only US Congress funded think-tank, the Wilson Center’s stance on how the “last thing Bangladesh can afford right now is a broader security crisis.”, influential organizations and civil society at-large has reiterated the points I have made above. So what should we focus on the days ahead?
Sheikh Hasina’s resignation granted her access to an exclusive club of ex-leaders who have made headlines globally, shaping foreign policy discussions, national security briefings, and World Bank case studies. This distinguished group includes Evo Morales of Bolivia, Omar Al-Bashir of Sudan, Zine El Abidine Ben Ali of Tunisia, Hosni Mubarak of Egypt, Saad Hariri of Lebanon, and Gotabaya Rajapaksa of Sri Lanka. Each of these leaders experienced dramatic exits from power, often amid intense political unrest and societal upheaval due to complete loss of trust in government and political representation of the general public, at large.
To ensure Bangladesh roars in its aftermath, it is therefore mission and for some, life-critical to guarantee the country’s safe arrival to a democracy that works for all. This phase of the work does not rely on India, or the United States, or Canada or any other country. It wholeheartedly and unequivocally relies on the merit and voices of the people of Bangladesh.
Young, and now majority, members of the awami league, the bangladesh nationalist party, Jamaat Ismaile, the Jatiya Party, must start asking real questions to their leaders, or would be leaders. The media and justice system must showcase their highest level of excellence in not only investing, but reporting, and condemning unlawful acts of any nature — be it over the past 15 years, or the past 15 hours.
The public must ensure transparency of the highest accord from each party that proposes to form government once the transition is over. At a micro-level, this starts from simply disclosing membership or support, just how it’s done in any democratic nation. Civil society must hold every institution accountable for the decisions that are made on matters of the country.
And while there are countless recommendations for reform that we will get into over the next eleven months, the goal this hour is to ensure an interim government of the people, that is made by the people, for its people. All people.
I hope our hearts and pens don’t rest until we get there.