Vantage | Why America and India became an issue in Bangladesh polls

Bangladesh, India’s eastern neighbour, is currently grappling with political turmoil, drawing criticism from Western nations. The Human Rights Watch has accused the ruling Awami League government in Dhaka of attempting to “eliminate competition” with over 10,000 arrests in the past two months. As the country approaches its general election scheduled for 7 January, tensions are escalating.

Opposition’s concerns

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), the main opposition party, has not registered for the upcoming polls and plans to boycott the election. They demand Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government step down, advocating for a caretaker government to oversee the elections. However, Bangladesh abolished the caretaker system in 2011, leaving the opposition parties sceptical of the electoral process.

In response to the political situation, Bangladesh has witnessed a series of protests and general strikes, many turning violent. At least 16 people, including two police officers, have lost their lives. Public property has been torched leading to widespread suffering among the general public.

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Impact on daily lives

The ongoing strikes and protests have had a significant impact on the daily lives of citizens.

“What will the poor people do during hartal (strike)? The poor depend on their daily income which is rare during strike periods. We don’t have savings to break for the bad time. I have been wandering since morning for work. But no luck. How will we survive? Every price is skyrocketing. How will we save our families? We are still trying to remain calm,” said day labourer Mizanur Rahman.

Local resident Adam Hossain said, “It’s very normal to be afraid during such strikes and blockades especially with these public buses being burnt. It seems we are deliberately facing risks by stepping out during these periods. But what else can we do?”

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Current situation

The opposition recently called for another strike, resulting in reports of vehicles being torched across Bangladesh. The opposition parties have also directed their criticism towards Prime Minister Hasina and, notably, India.

A senior opposition leader accused India of taking a stand against Bangladesh by supporting the Sheikh Hasina government, a claim considered baseless. On another front, some in Bangladesh are concerned about alleged interference from the United States. The Chief Election Commissioner expressed worry about American interference, referencing visa restrictions imposed in September on individuals deemed to undermine Bangladesh’s elections.

Russia has accused the US of meddling in Bangladesh’s domestic affairs, characterising it as neo-colonialism. Washington, while denying these allegations, continues to exert pressure on Prime Minister Hasina’s government. Visa restrictions and other measures are seen as tactics to influence the upcoming elections.

As Bangladesh navigates through these challenging times, questions linger about the potential success of the American strategy and its impact on the political landscape. Will it lead to more protests and violence? How will Dhaka respond to international criticisms and pressures? The weeks leading up to the general election promise to be critical in determining Bangladesh’s political future.

Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views.

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