Political Backdrop
In Bangladesh, the battle for democracy has taken center stage as the ruling Awami League government faces mounting criticism for its autocratic practices.
The Sheikh Hasina regime has exploited state institutions, turning them into tools for its own political gain. Law enforcement agencies, such as the Police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and Ansar, along with civil and field administration, the judiciary, the Anti-Corruption Commission, and notably, the Election Commission, have been politicized to serve the illegitimate government’s interests. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), the largest opposition party, has emerged as the beacon of hope for millions of democracy-loving Bangladeshis, advocating for peaceful and non-violent programs to restore democratic principles
Key insights of the BNP’s Successive Programs and Struggles Bangladesh’s Quest for Democracy
Bangladesh has been grappling with a continuous struggle for democracy, with the ruling Awami League accused of adopting authoritarian tactics to maintain its grip on power. Recent and past events ever since 2009, including mass closures of public transport, mobile and device checks at entry points, and wholesale arrests, have created an atmosphere of fear and intimidation to suppress dissenting voices. The suppression of freedom of expression in Bangladesh has reached concerning levels within the media and alarming attacks on journalists and civil society members. The government’s tight grip on the media landscape has created an atmosphere of fear and intimidation, leading journalists and media outlets to exercise self-censorship to avoid repercussions from the authorities.
BNP’s Peaceful Mass Mobilization
In stark contrast to the heavy-handed tactics employed by the Awami League, the BNP has achieved remarkable success in mobilizing hundreds of thousands of activists and supporters across the nation through peaceful means. The BNP’s non-violent programs such as marches, assemblies, processions, rallies, and sit-ins have emerged as powerful rallying points for those who advocate for a democratic and inclusive Bangladesh. The party has been able to galvanize significant public support, resulting in impressive turnouts at their demonstrations. The events have become platforms for citizens to voice their aspirations for an inclusive and transparent political landscape. By employing constructive, cohesive and democratic means, the BNP has earned widespread admiration, nullifying the Awami League’s violent, attacking approach.
Awami League’s Provocative Strategy to Follow BNP Programs
In response to the BNP-led mass mobilization, the ruling regime has struggled to gather public support, leading to embarrassing attendance at their events. Their farcical political strategy of consistently organizing rallies on the same day and near the venues where the BNP plans its events is unbecoming of a party in power. The police’s decisions to allow rallies by both parties on the same day and in close proximity add to the tensions. The Awami League’s pattern of changing rally dates to align with the BNP’s announcements, as well as canceling rallies when the BNP does the same, proves a deliberate attempt to create confrontations that could escalate into violence. Such provocative strategy, coupled with authoritarian statements, armed actions and violent attacks from the regime’s goons, vindicate their motivation to create unrest, leading to clashes and conflicts which could damage the BNP’s successful non-violent movement.
One-Point Demand in BNP’s Grand Rally
On 28th July, the BNP’s grand rally in Dhaka witnessed an astounding attendance of over one million democracy-loving Bangladeshis. The common call for one-point demand to restore democracy, which includes the resignation of the current Awami League government, dissolution of the existing parliament, formation of an impartial polls-time government, and reconstitution of the Election Commission, underscores the BNP’s commitment to a free, fair, and inclusive election. Despite facing numerous challenges and obstacles imposed by the ruling regime, the BNP’s mass mobilization has been met with unwavering support from people all over the country, demonstrating their strong commitment to the restoration of democracy. The BNP’s ability to attract massive crowds from diverse regions showcases the resonance of their message and the public’s determination to uphold democratic principles.
Regime’s Repression and Intimidation during BNP’s Sit-In Program
On 29th July, a massive demonstration in the form of sil-ins took in key places of Dhaka, where tens of thousands of passionate opposition supporters gathered to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the establishment of a neutral caretaker administration to oversee a fair and impartial general election. The peaceful protest was met with excessive force from the Bangladesh police. Instead of addressing the concerns of the demonstrators, the police resorted to violent measures to disperse the crowds. Rubber bullets and tear gas canisters were fired indiscriminately at the opposition party supporters who were exercising their democratic right to protest peacefully.
Joint Repression of Police and Awami League
The police action was aided by active participation of the goons and activists affiliated with the ruling Awami League. The individuals, acting in favor of the government and collaborating with the law enforcement agencies, further intensified the violence, leading to a disturbing and distressing situation. As a result of this rampant joint action, over 500 leaders and activists belonging to the BNP were seriously injured, some of whom were senior figures within the opposition ranks, Goyeshwar Roy and Amanullah Aman. In a further display of repression, the police arrested over hundred members of the BNP during the peaceful demonstration. The ruling party activists were granted complete freedom to actively participate in the anarchy, and as expectedly, no arrests were made, nor were they held accountable for actions.
Courageous Determination of BNP
In peaceful protests led by the BNP, they faced an unprovoked and forceful response from the police, who arrived with modern weapons and machinery, treating the situation as if they were engaged in a war. They resorted to using rubber bullets and tear gas, and even deployed armed police vehicles (APCS) to indiscriminately target opposition members. The police charged batons against BNP activiss, including senior leaders, and also engaged in hurling stones and brickbats. Adding to the injustice, ruling Awami League miscreants used sticks, bamboo poles, daggers, and hammers to attack the BNP activists. Despite this joint and planned attack meant to disrupt their non-violent demonstrations, the BNP activists responded with self-defense, relying solely on their sheer numbers and determination to protect their human rights and uphold democracy in Bangladesh. The BNP members, unarmed and empty-handed, displayed remarkable courage in the face of adversity, standing their ground and countering the aggression with only their presence and conviction.
Regime’s Blame Game through Arson Violence
Five buses were set on fire amid huge police deployment in Matuail, Shyamoli and Savar of Dhaka, by unidentified people amid huge police presence, during the sits-ins of BNP. Witnesses said that the ruling Awami League brought out processions few minutes before and after arson attacks on buses at Matuail. One bus driver Sanaullah told the media that the bus was in queue in front a filling station to refuelling after dropping passengers. Suddenly three youths on a motorcycle approached and asked him to leave the bus and threatened to set fire to bus along with him. Sanaullah jumped out of the bus and then the arsonists set on fire to the bus pouring petrol. The public believes that the ruling party’s supporters orchestrated the vandalism and arson while the police remained passive, intending to shift the blame for the violence onto the BNP and disrupt their non-violent movement. This proves that the Awami League is hatching conspiracy to deflect responsibility for the attacks onto their political opponents, the BNP.
Fabricated Cases and Accusations to Suppress Opposition
On 30th July, the day after the sit-in program in Dhaka, a significant number of individuals affiliated with the BNP found themselves accused in 11 cases that were filed across seven police stations. As per the case documents, not only were 469 BNP members named as accused, but there were also many others whose identities remained undisclosed, but who were nevertheless implicated in these cases. The complaints lodged against them were politically motivated and included charges such as illegal assembly, disrupting law and order, attempting to murder police officers, using crude bombs to attack law enforcement personnel, and engaging in acts of vandalism and arson against public and police vehicles. These cases are fabricated with the intention of suppressing the BNP’s movement and discrediting it as a violent party. However, there are claims that the actual perpetrators of these incidents were the regime itself, along with its leaders and activists, who received support from law enforcement agencies.
Ruling Party’s Recipe of Rigged Election
The recent incidents have shed light on the authoritarian nature of the ruling regime and heightened suspicions about their intentions to hold onto power through unjust methods. The use of excessive force against peaceful protestors and the involvement of government-linked individuals in perpetrating violence have only fueled the pervasive apprehensions about the potential for another manipulated election, eroding trust in the democratic process. The struggle for democracy in Bangladesh has intensified as the ruling Awami League regime continues to stifle dissent through violent measures. The ongoing violations of human rights and the lack of rule of law illustrate that the regime’s strategy for manipulating elections includes exploiting state institutions, resorting to violence and repression, and engaging in
Global Watch on Bangladesh
The events of that day drew widespread condemnation from the international community, human rights organizations, and global media. Sheikh Hasina government has been called upon to respect the rights of its citizens, uphold freedom of assembly, and allow for peaceful demonstrations without resorting to violence. Such actions have only served to reinforce the perception of an autocratic regime desperate to hold onto power through rigged elections. The opposition’s demand for a neutral caretaker administration to oversee future elections has gained traction and is seen as the only viable solution to restore faith in the democratic system.
Encouraging Thrust from International Stakeholders
Just recently, 14 Congressmen from the United States called for a free and fair election in Bangladesh under the supervision of the United Nations. They also urged the UN to act immediately to suspend Bangladesh’s membership at the United Nations. The congress members sent the letter to the US ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield, stating “We write to you today to express our concern with Sheikh Hasina’s government in Bangladesh, and her government’s reported terrorizing, torturing, and even murdering of Bangladeshi citizens. A large number of human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Freedom House, and Reporters Without Borders, have documented human rights abuses by Sheikh Hasina’s government in Bangladesh, including intimidation, assault, false imprisonment, torture, disappearances, and even extra-judicial killings.”
Way Forward
The BNP-led opposition’s peaceful and non-violent programs have resonated with millions, inspiring hope for a democratic and inclusive Bangladesh. In the face of repression and violence, the determination of the opposition and their supporters to stand up for their rights and advocate for democratic principles only grow stronger. It is imperative for the Sheikh Hasina regime to respect freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, and basic human rights, and for the opposition to continue advocating for a fair and just electoral process. Only through a free, fair and participatory general election held under non-partisan, neutral and credible election-time government, Bangladesh can move forward as a prosperous, democratic nation where people would enjoy their rights and freedoms as the citizens of a free nation.
Relevant Materials
Al Jazeera: https://www.aljazeera.comm/news/2023/7/30/why-is-the-bangladeshi-opposition-protesting-against-sheikh-hasinas-govt | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4YORIQ3L5U Guardian | AFP: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jul/29/bangladesh-police-clash-protesters-dhaka-blockade-sheikh-hasina
Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/bangladesh-police-clash-with-
opposition-supporters-calling-pm-resign-2023-07-29/
Deutsche Welle: https://www.dw.com/en/bangladesh-opposition-protesters-clash-with- police/a-66384464
CNN: https://edition.cnn.com/videos/world/2023/07/30/exp-protesters-police-bangladesh-
073005aseg1-cnni-world.cnn
Washington Times: https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2023/jul/29/bangladesh- opposition-supporters-clash-with-police/
Voice of America: https://www.voanews.com/a/bangladeshi-police-accused-of-conspiring-against-opposition candidates/7184308.html
