In the recent months leading up to the resignation of Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh had been engulfed in political unrest and turmoil. The combination of factors that drove the public confidence and stability steadily downwards has led the country to this crisis.
Sheikh Hasina has served the country’s Prime Minister from 2009 consecutively till the date of her resignation. Her tenure has faced increasing criticism for its authoritarian tendencies. The government was accused of suppressing opposition parties, restricting free speech, and stifling dissent. These actions created a violent political environment and fostered widespread discontent. These criticisms and unrest served as a catalyst for most of the recent events.
The reserved quotas in civil service, for relatives of veterans from the 1971 Bangladesh-Pakistan war, led the university students to start a protest in early July against the new law. The campaigners had argued the system was discriminatory and needed to be overhauled. Although their request was largely met, the protests soon transformed into a wider anti-government movement. The government’s harsh crackdown on protests has led to hundreds of deaths, which continued despite the supreme court overturning the quota law.
The demonstrations escalated despite the scheme having been scaled back by Bangladesh’s top court. At this point it was no longer about the policy, but rather over job quota issues fueled by authoritarian policies and suppression of opposition, leading to significant unrest, the largest seen since Sheikh Hasina’s tenure began in 2008. Her rule had transformed Bangladesh with new roads, bridges, factories and even a metro rail, but there were also allegations of rampant corruption. Bangladesh also faced enough economical problems after COVID-19, with the rising inflation and currency depletion.
To prevent the spread of protest-related information and coordination among demonstrators, the government frequently cut off internet access in various parts of the country The government imposed curfews and restricted movement in major cities, particularly Dhaka. These measures aimed to control the scale of protests and reduce the confrontations between demonstrators and security forces. Reports of police and military personnel using live ammunition against protesters led to significant casualties. At least 94 deaths were reported. This aggressive response contributed to further anger and mobilization among the populace.
On August 5, 2024, Sheikh Hasina resigned as Prime Minister and left the country amidst some of the most violent protests since the formation of the country citing security concerns. Celebrations erupted among the crowds who had been on the streets of Dhaka for another day of protests. The celebrations have in some places turned unruly, with thousands raiding the prime minister’s residence and seen looting items, including vegetables from the gardens, live fish from the ponds in the grounds and her personal belongings. Cars could be seen burning inside the compound. There has been vandalism on offices of Hasina’s party, the Awami League, and murdered their members across the capital city, with at least one being set on fire.
But when we look deep into these, we can’t spare the fact that Sheikh Hasina won the election for the third consecutive term few months back, that too with more than 50% vote share, which is nearly impossible in a democratic process. Even after suspending the job reservation amid the protest, a nation wide protest held by students taking over the Parliament and Prime Minister’s residence seems unreal and suspicious.
While addressing this internal political crisis, the involvement of foreign interference in Bangladesh can’t be neglected. The former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s allegations over the United State’s involvement in taking advantage of the protests and the urge to keep the conflict live. She has claimed that the United States of America tried to oust her from office because she refused to give up sovereignty of Saint Martin Island, which would have given the United States of America influence in the Bay of Bengal region.
Some times the race for geopolitical dominance among big players, will end up in interfering in internal politics of smaller nations. As the relationship between India and US is at an all time high, United State’s main agenda here is to contain China’s rising influence in the region and prevent it’s territorial ambitions. But in the future, giving an access to America to militarize Saint Martin Island is not a great move. Because, as it is situated between India and China, it will be a threat to both Asian powers. Because de-stabilizing a region will slowdown the economic growth of that region. It will help to secure US interests and gives strategic advantages.
Geopolitical Role and Strategic Position of St. Martin Island
As a part of an interim government, Nobel Laureate Mohammed Yunnes has taken charge of the country. They are currently busy stabilizing the situation that has been compounded further with the recent floods and it submerged vast portions of the country. It killed several people and damaged crops and properties. Once the relief and rehabilitation process are over his focus will likely return to bring investment in Bangladesh and revive the economy.
This is only the beginning, Bangladesh has a long way to go for its rehabilitation and revival. The interim government must address the legitimacy crisis within the security forces. They were implicated in human rights abuses during the protests. The constitution needs to be revised to ensure greater accountability, transparency, and representation for all citizens. Bangladesh’s economy requires stabilization and growth, which will depend on the government’s ability to address issues and attract foreign investment.
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