As Bangladesh votes today, its people face a great dilemma- whether to choose between the BNP or the Jamaat, with Prof Yunus’ administration giving way to an elected government. The legacy of Sheikh Hasina’s use of brutal force against the students’ agitation in 2024 and the killing and maiming of students, which led to her ouster, eventual banning and the court order for her execution, has made it impossible for the Awami League to survive. Among the killings, the killing of Abu Syed in the wee hours of 16th July 2024 stands out.
Prof Yunus, in his one-and-a-half-year-old administration, has been able to bring a good amount of FDI in India. He has stood up to all world powers like China and India, while signing trade deals with US. His urging the media and citizens not to fall for AI-generated misinformation. The media has brought about irrelevant issues to enhance their TRP. Yunus has enabled the different communities to come together.
The Jamaat, like other Far Right groups, continues its illiberal tirade against women and the youth. The Awami League, let’s not forget banned Jamaat, while sending feelers to Hefazat-e-Islam, which openly for theological rule in Bangladesh. BNP’s Tarique Rahman, urging the people to reject hatred and raise public issues in his campaigns, has brought about a cross-section of support for Rahman. Rahman meeting Dr Jaishankar when the latter failed to meet Dr Yunus, shows that Rahman has India’s back.
Rise of Hindutva in India has been analogous with the rise of Islamic and Buddhist fundamentalism in the neighbourhood. That India was openly siding with Hasina has angered the Bangladeshi opposition. Gen-Z leaders like Nahid Islam and Hasnat Abdullah of NCP and the dark horse GM Qauder, the brother of Late President Ershad and the leader of Jatiya Party will woo some voters, given their progressive and liberal agenda. NCP, having kindled the hope of a non-dynastic party focusing on law and order, economic development, reforms, is likely to be a major player in the government formation post-election.
Since the 1950s, the US has been an all-weather friend of Pakistan and such a reciprocity now extends to Bangladesh. This may upset India but that India has been sheltering Hasina and is allowing her to speak to the global media has angered Bangladesh. The Bangladeshi diaspora has also engaged in protests against India, accusing it of supporting a dictator like Hasina. Further, BCCI expelling Bangladeshi cricketer Mustafizur Rahman from KKR has also not gone down well with BCB.
But it is great to realise that today all parties want good relations with India, the US and China. No party will hurt India’s security concerns. Bangladesh is also the country hosting the maximum number of refugees, especially the Rohingyas. India continues to enjoy a good position in South Asia, including Bangladesh Therefore, it is a great time to look forward to an overall reset in Bangladesh.
All the views and opinions expressed are those of the author. Image Credit: Government of Bangladesh.
About the Author
Sauro Dasgupta is currently pursuing PhD in Political Science at Kalyani University.
