Vantage | Why Bangladesh protests and election matters for India

It was a tumultuous weekend in Bangladesh as approximately 100,000 opposition protesters took to the streets of Dhaka raising their voices in protest and demanding change. They set fires and clashed with the police creating a volatile atmosphere that left several casualties in its wake. Who are these protesters and what is driving their demands?

The protesters and their demands The majority of these protesters belong to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), the country’s main opposition party. They found support from members of the Jamaat-e-Islami, an Islamist group notorious for its connections to radicalism in the Indian subcontinent. The Jamaat is officially banned in Bangladesh adding complexity to the protests. What these protesters demand is clear: they call for the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the appointment of a caretaker government. Why? Because the country is gearing up for its general elections scheduled for January 2024 and the opposition alleges that Sheikh Hasina will manipulate the results. They believe that a caretaker government would ensure a fair and transparent electoral process. However, Sheikh Hasina has yet to acquiesce to these demands. Violent weekend The weekend of protests was marked by the deployment of around 10,000 police officers in Dhaka who resorted to tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the crowds. A violent clash ensued leading to the loss of at least three lives and more than 100 injuries. Since the protests, Dhaka police have been actively apprehending key opposition leaders. Among those detained is Mirza Islam Alamgir, the chief of the BNP, who has been leading the party since the house arrest of former prime minister Khaleda Zia. Zia, who has faced corruption charges, is urged by her supporters to follow the path of Nawaz Sharif and leave the country for medical reasons. However, the government has not yet approved her departure. Political landscape As we assess the current political landscape, it is essential to understand the context. Sheikh Hasina’s tenure has brought significant economic growth to Bangladesh with poverty reduction and job creation as notable achievements. The country has also risen to prominence as the world’s garment capital. However, there are underlying issues. Inflation has been on the rise with food prices increasing by 12 per cent in August reaching their highest point in nearly 12 years. Accusations of extrajudicial actions, such as enforced disappearances and crackdowns on free speech, have also marred the government’s record. The opposition insists that these issues combined with concerns over election rigging are grounds for ousting Sheikh Hasina. But this begs the question: does Bangladeshi law require a caretaker government for elections? Role of Bangladeshi law Surprisingly, Bangladeshi law does not mandate a caretaker government for elections. The Supreme Court of Bangladesh has declared it unconstitutional and the country’s parliament has removed it from the rulebook. This decision stems from the troubled history of caretaker governments with the last one extending its rule from 90 days to over two years leading to the imprisonment of key politicians including Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia. Despite the removal of the caretaker provision from the legal framework, international concerns have arisen. The European Union, known for sending election observers to Dhaka, has raised red flags, citing inadequate conditions for a fair election. India, Bangladesh’s influential neighbour, has traditionally been supportive of Sheikh Hasina’s leadership, but its stance may evolve depending on the upcoming elections. Road ahead As the situation in Bangladesh unfolds, the upcoming elections promise to be pivotal not only for the nation itself but also for its neighbours. Sheikh Hasina’s continued leadership and the stability of Bangladesh hang in the balance. The world watches closely hoping for a peaceful and democratic resolution to the ongoing tensions. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.