Bangladesh is currently experiencing an intense unrest. What started as protests against the controversial government job quota system have escalated into strong demands for the government’s resignation. High unemployment, rising living costs, and frequent leaks of job questions have left many young, university-educated individuals feeling frustrated and insecure about their future. The 30% job quota reserved for descendants of Liberation War fighters has worsened these concerns. The government’s severe crackdown on this quota reform movement has further fueled public anger towards the fourteen-year dictatorship. To suppress the movement, the government’s brutal action highlights the extreme lengths of their atrocity to retain power! This intense power hunger, does it signal a dictator’s downfall? If we highlight five key reasons, it becomes clear why this is the beginning of the end of this autocratic regime.
1. It is a genocide. No democracy can sustain on so many corpses
The protests that had been ongoing for weeks turned deadly. Reports indicate that over 500 people died and hundreds more was injured due to clashes between protesters and security forces [1,5]. The violence has been described as the worst in decades [2]. One report states that 330 people received eye treatment at Dhaka Medical College, with 50 losing their sight completely. Parents and relatives are desperately searching for their young children at police stations and morgues. So far the death count is 266.
2. Although they are still in power, they know they are shaky
To quell the protests, the government has indefinitely closed all universities and colleges and imposed a strict curfew in the capital, Dhaka [3]. Protestors were killed brutally by Police, military, and Awami Leag student organizations Internet and phone services were disconnected to hide the evidence [2], and public gatherings were banned [4]. On July 22, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was seen appearing anxious while speaking live on Showmoy TV, where she struggled to assert that the situation was under control.
All these incidents strongly indicate that the Awami League has lost confidence in its ability to subdue the protesters without heavy weapons. The government knows that if they are no longer in power, the fear of the country falling into the hands of fundamentalists, the idea that they have promoted for years, has disappeared now. People are eager to see new elected leadership.
3. Humanitarian law violations by the military
The Bangladeshi army used UN-provided peacekeeping tanks to suppress the movement. Military personnel disguised as BGB and police are firing on innocent civilians. In the following video police shoots victim after neutralizing him and his rescuer.
The UN president and human rights organizations have voiced deep concern for this internal genocide which can, potentially lead to diplomatic isolation and economic hardships, undermining the legitimacy of both the government and the military.
Bangladeshi Minister Hasanul Haque has defended these brutal actions as a mistake. International human rights organizations could pursue a case against Prime Minister Hasina for crimes against humanity before the ICC, bypassing the typical veto risks associated with the ICJ.
4. History repeats itself
Do you think, autocratic governments can survive after such massacres? History says, autocracy often leads to government downfall. Notable examples include The Fall of the Shah of Iran (1979), The Collapse of the Soviet Union (1991). The Arab Spring (2010-2011), where long-standing autocratic leaders were ousted in countries like Tunisia and Egypt. If we look at the history of Bangladesh, there have been two significant movements demanding the end of autocratic rule: the 1969 uprising against Ayub Khan in Pakistan (which included East Pakistan, now Bangladesh) and the 1990 movement against Hussain Muhammad Ershad. Both rulers had to step down due to public demand. In 1990, the killing of Nur Hossain and others highlighted the regime’s brutality and galvanized public sentiment against Ershad. Compared to these two movements, Bangladesh has never again witnessed the level of brutality, cruelty, violence, and unified public sentiment against an autocratic government that is happening right now.
5. Internet is back and can it flame the movement again?
The government did internet blackouts to conceal the atrocity and misguide the students by providing misinformation. However they had to restore the service due to pressure from international organizations and to sustain the economy. Footage and videos are coming like rain showers from various sources, which will make the government more questionable to international media. Students can now communicate what the government feared most. Dhaka University students gathered last night to protest and student leaders have reaffirmed their commitment to the movement, vowing to continue until their demands are met. Students’ courage and resilience have already shown that united voices can be more powerful than the regime’s violent tactics. The people of Bangladesh believe that the unwavering spirit of youths will continue their protest to restore democracy and justice for the lost souls.
In solidarity and hope, TruthCastBD.
References:
- Khaama Press: Death toll rises to 173 in Bangladesh student protests amid ongoing violence. Khaama Press (Khaama).
- DW: Dhaka protesters defy curfew after worst unrest in decades. DW (DW).
- Kathmandu Post: Bangladesh shuts universities, colleges indefinitely after protests turn deadly. Kathmandu Post (Kathmandu Post).
- County Local News: Bangladeshi Police Ban Public Rallies in Dhaka Amid Deadly Unrest. County Local News (County Local News).
- County Local News: Over 500 dead in Bangladesh unrest, hundreds injured. County Local News (County Local News).
