The Student Protests in Bangladesh
Introduction
Bangladesh has recently experienced significant political turmoil, marked by the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed amidst widespread student protests and subsequent military intervention. This essay examines these events, drawing on recent news articles from reputable sources, and offers an analysis of their implications for Bangladesh’s future.
The Student Protests and Political Crisis
The political crisis in Bangladesh reached a critical point with the escalation of student protests that began in mid-June 2024. Initially sparked by opposition to the quota system for university admissions, the protests quickly gained momentum, leading to increased public dissent against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed’s government. The situation further deteriorated when the Dhaka High Court ruled in favor of the controversial quota system for government jobs, exacerbating public discontent.
According to Al Jazeera, the protests escalated significantly, resulting in numerous casualties and injuries during clashes with state forces (Al Jazeera, 2024). This unrest highlighted deep-seated issues within the country’s political and social systems, ultimately leading to calls for the Prime Minister’s resignation.
Military Intervention and Hasina’s Resignation
The turning point came when the military intervened, announcing Sheikh Hasina Wajed’s resignation and facilitating her departure to India. As reported by BBC News, the Army Chief, General Waqar Uz Zaman, declared that the military would take over decision-making to restore order and peace in the country (BBC News, 2024). This move marked a significant shift in Bangladesh’s political landscape, as the military sought to re-establish stability amidst the chaos.
Reuters provided further details on Hasina’s departure, noting that she left Dhaka with her family in a Bangladesh Air Force helicopter, first arriving in Agartala before proceeding to Delhi. Speculations about her next destination included London, Finland, or Ireland (Reuters, 2024).
Phases of the Student Movement
The student movement began in June with protests against the quota system for educational institution admissions. In early July, the second phase saw increased intensity when the Dhaka High Court ruled in favor of the quota system in government jobs, a decision that had been pending for years. This ruling further fueled the movement, and various segments of the population began actively participating in the protests against the quota system in technical educational institutions.
In the first phase of the student movement, 17 students were reported killed by state forces and 180 injured. During the second phase, 193 people were killed and over 3,000 injured. It is reported that 300 people were killed in the third phase (The Daily Star, 2024).
During the second phase of the student movement, the Prime Minister announced a ban on Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing, Islami Chhatra Shibir. In July, the Bangladeshi Supreme Court issued a new ruling on the quota system for government jobs, sparking hope that the situation would improve. However, at this stage, Prime Minister Hasina Wajed made two significant mistakes: first, she termed the Supreme Court’s decision on the quota system as an insult to the families of those who sacrificed for Bangladesh’s independence; second, she accused external forces of involvement in the student movement and labeled the participants as “volunteers” (Dhaka Tribune, 2024). Both statements backfired.
The Volunteer Movement and Political Consequences
Student movement leaders viewed her comments on the court decision as a deviation from the law, while the label “volunteers” was seen as derogatory, considering that the student leaders claimed they were voluntarily struggling for the future of Bengali youth. The accusation of external forces’ involvement was dismissed as a blatant lie (The Diplomat, 2024).
An unusual development at this stage of the student movement was the adoption of the term “volunteer,” which had been a severe insult in Bengali society since December 16, 1971. Slogans emerged around the term, and the entire country, including Dhaka, echoed with “Who are we? Volunteers.” It is noteworthy that in Bangladesh, “volunteer” referred to those who collaborated with the Pakistan Army in 1971, forming organizations to fight against the Awami League and Mukti Bahini and participating in the genocide of Bengalis (The Hindu, 2024).
Hasina’s Legacy and Ouster
Sheikh Hasina Wajed was in power for a total of 20 years and 234 days. Her opponents accused her of serious electoral fraud and using Mukti Bahini affiliates to suppress opposition. Despite economic development during her nearly 21-year tenure, social divisions based on political grounds deepened with each passing day (The Daily Star, 2024).
Contrary to a tripartite agreement post-Dhaka fall, Sheikh Hasina Wajed passed a law in parliament to prosecute war crimes, leading to the execution of dozens of Jamaat-e-Islami leaders and the imprisonment of thousands accused of past affiliations with Al-Badr, Al-Shams, and Islami Chhatra Shibir, labeling them as national traitors. Her actions against opponents increased her adversaries (BBC News, 2024).
Some analysts suspect an American role in her ousting, claiming that her government, due to its strong economic and diplomatic ties with China and India, consistently ignored the American lobby. In contrast, Indian media, following the initial court ruling in July, began a campaign to find Pakistan’s “presence” in the movement. Following Sheikh Hasina Wajed’s resignation and the military takeover, a large section of Indian media claimed Pakistan was behind her ouster and had plans to erase the monuments, ancestral homes, and statues of Bangladesh’s founder Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, extinguishing a 50-year-old fire (Reuters, 2024).
The Military’s Role and Future Prospects
The head of the Bangladeshi Army announced that decisions will now be made by the military, and a transitional or mixed national government will be formed. In response, student movement leader Naheed Elias stated at a press conference that the student movement’s leadership will make decisions, and they will propose names for the interim government (Dhaka Tribune, 2024).
Meanwhile, the former ruling party BNP has appealed to citizens and protesters to return home. Twenty-four hours after Sheikh Hasina Wajed’s resignation, Jamaat-e-Islami offices were reopened nationwide by the Army Chief’s order. Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh leader Dr. Shafiqur Rahman addressed workers at the central office in Dhaka, focusing on the difficulties and sacrifices faced by the party rather than the overall situation (The Daily Star, 2024).
While the offices are reopened, it is yet unclear whether the ban on Jamaat-e-Islami has been lifted. The military leadership has also released former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, who was serving a sentence for corruption (Reuters, 2024).
On the other hand, the BNP and its allied parties want citizens and students to leave the streets. BNP Secretary General Qamarul Islam’s statement indicates that they are preparing to join the interim government with their allies. Jamaat-e-Islami, a past ally of the BNP, is expected to join the interim or mixed national government.
Conclusion
The recent political upheaval in Bangladesh marks a significant moment in the country’s history. The resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed and the subsequent military intervention reflect deep-rooted issues within the nation’s political system. As the situation continues to evolve, staying informed through reputable sources and diverse perspectives is crucial for understanding the full scope of these events and their implications for Bangladesh’s future.
References
Al Jazeera. (2024). Latest reports on Bangladesh.
BBC News. (2024). Updates on Bangladesh.
Reuters. (2024). Articles on Bangladesh’s political landscape.
The Diplomat. (2024). Analysis of the Asia-Pacific region, including Bangladesh.
The Daily Star. (2024). Local perspective on the situation.
Dhaka Tribune. (2024). Current news and analysis.
The Hindu. (2024). Regional insights.