Abdullah Al Imran is a Bangladeshi author and investigative journalist based in Canada.
After Bangladeshi prime minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country earlier this week, hundreds of activists stormed her luxurious official residence. The mood was jubilant as they roamed the grounds, with some pausing to lay on her bed and hold up some of the beautiful saris (robes) she frequently wore. While the moment was joyous, it may be premature for the people of Bangladesh to celebrate.
Ms. Hasina was forced to make an undignified flight out of the country by helicopter amid escalating protests. The unrest began over a controversial quota system for government jobs. But then the Hasina government unleashed a brutal crackdown, leading to the deaths of up to 440 individuals, mostly students. That sparked widespread calls for Ms. Hasina to resign.
Her government came to power after the 2008 elections, and it won three consecutive elections, all of which were controversial. Despite this, Ms. Hasina’s rule drew acclaim in Canada and around the world for the supposed “Bangladesh miracle” of an economic boom based mainly on cheap garment exports.
But internally, over the years Ms. Hasina faced criticism for trying to suppress dissent, with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights raising the alarm about mass arrests, disappearances and surveillance of opponents and their supporters. She also lost popularity owing to recent price hikes and corruption allegations against officials holding important posts during her regime.
The army chief, General Waker-Uz-Zaman, has called for calm and promised justice for the recent deaths. After he met with the top leaders of opposition parties, Nobel Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, a respected economist, was named to lead what is supposed to be an interim government.
But the challenges are daunting.
First and foremost is the need to peacefully restore law and order. Mobs have attacked the homes and businesses of people connected to Ms. Hasina and her party, the Awami League. At least 21 people were killed, including a foreign national, when a mob set fire to a hotel owned by a former lawmaker, according to local media reports.
Police, seen as defenders of Ms. Hasina’s regime, are also being targeted. At least 50 police officers have been killed, and over 400 police stations have been hit by attacks, which have included vandalism, arson and looting. Fearing their safety, police officers went on strike, which has led to widespread robbery and disorder. Despite the efforts of the army and students, who set up neighbourhood vigils, the situation remains out of control.
Another concern is that in some areas, Hindu temples, houses and businesses have come under attack, causing fear in the country’s minority communities, given their previous experiences of facing atrocities during political turmoil.
Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly urged all parties to respect fundamental human rights, including freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly.
Now, the big question is about political reform.
The people of Bangladesh may be happy one politician who ruled their country with a heavy hand is gone. But who will step in to take over? Who will lead the country and have the courage to tackle the widespread corruption that has strangled the economy and muzzled political freedoms? Will there be more democracy and reform, or a return to the cronyism and crackdowns of the past?
Currently, consultations are under way between the opposition parties and the protest leaders around the formation of the interim government, which is supposed to oversee the next election. The interim government must incorporate the views of these stakeholders and balance the interests of the various parties.
Making matters worse, Bangladesh’s economic future is grim, its currency is volatile, and the political unrest may deter foreign investors.
Bangladesh is at an important crossroads. Dr. Yunus called it a “second liberation.” But Bangladeshis will have to wait and see how the events that took place on Aug. 6 will be remembered.
The people of Bangladesh need to see if its new leaders can end the continuing violence, deal with political divisions, and address the troubled economy.
Until that process begins, Bangladeshis will remain in fear.