7

Aug

Lessons We Need To Learn  from Bangladesh

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Dr Satish Misra

New Delhi | Wednesday | 7 August 2024

After winning four elections in 2009, 2014, 2019 and 2024, the sudden and abrupt fleeing away of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is a serious jolt for all those who cherish democracy and a democratic norms way of life.

The latest episode in Bangladesh’s 50 years of existence has many lessons to be learnt and unlearnt.   

While corruption, high unemployment, rapid economic growth with shrinking basic freedoms and rights, concentration of wealth in few hands and cronyism are the major reasons for the upheaval in the neighbouring country,  Sheikh Hasina is her culprit as she wasted a legacy which was her main wealth.

Her authoritarian government determined to suppress voices of dissent and her dictatorial style of leadership which kept the opposition under leash by every fair and foul means was the opposite of all that for which her father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman stood and fought for creating Bangladesh in 1971.    

After coming to power in 2009 through a free, fair, and credible election, she subsequently presided over largely non-participative and controversial polls on three occasions — 2014, 2018, and 2024. She appeared to be near-invincible, her hold on power complete.

 

Article at a Glance
 
The sudden and unexpected departure of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has sent shockwaves throughout the region. After winning four consecutive elections, Hasina's authoritarian government was marked by corruption, high unemployment, and a concentration of wealth in a few hands. Her dictatorial style of leadership and suppression of dissenting voices ultimately led to her downfall.
 
The protests, which began over job quotas for descendants of freedom fighters, quickly gained momentum and attracted support from diverse segments of society. Hasina's refusal to meet the students' demands and her offensive comments towards the opposition sparked widespread unrest. The movement transcended its initial demands, becoming a collective expression of frustration against 15 years of fear and harassment.
 
Despite notable economic achievements, including rapid economic growth and poverty reduction, Hasina's government was marred by corruption, electoral irregularities, and the suppression of civil liberties. The events in Bangladesh serve as a stark reminder of the importance of balancing economic progress with democratic governance, transparency, and accountability. Hasina's fall from grace should caution leaders who prioritize economic development at the expense of democratic values and civil liberties.

 

The protests which began last month following a High Court order to restore 30 per cent job quotas for descendants of freedom fighters were the tipping point while anger against her regime had been building up for many years. Unrest created fear among the general population, which is largely unemployed. Sheikh Hasina's refusal to meet the students' demands, citing court proceedings, precipitated the crisis.

One of Sheikh Hasina's biggest mistakes was her comment calling those opposing job quotas 'Razakars' (an offensive term in Bangladesh) or those who collaborated with the Pakistani Army during Bangladesh's 1971 War of Independence. It was the trigger for thousands of students who came together to protest.

The opposition had always accused Hasina, who won three consecutive elections, of thwarting free and fair polls. There was also a prevailing perception that 'growth' was only helping those close to Hasina's Awami League.

As the protests gained momentum, they attracted support from diverse segments of society, including parents, teachers, and cultural activists. The movement transcended its initial demands and became a collective expression of frustration against 15 years of fear and harassment. The students’ refusal to engage in talks with the Prime Minister until their demands were met reflected the deep-seated mistrust and resentment.

There were open discussions on social media charging top officials, both serving and retired, of corruption. Hasina had acknowledged corruption as a problem and had promised to take action but concrete action was missing.

After coming to power in 2009 through a free, fair, and credible election, she subsequently presided over largely non-participative and controversial polls on three occasions — 2014, 2018, and 2024. She appeared to be near-invincible, her hold on power complete.

What has happened in Bangladesh is not only a stark reminder but also a lesson for all those who harp on economic growth without bothering about its distribution among large sections of society that economic progress alone cannot sustain a leader’s popularity in the face of eroding democratic values and civil liberties.

Undoubtedly, Hasina’s tenure was marked by noteworthy economic achievements. Under her leadership, Bangladesh transformed from one of the world’s poorest nations into one of the fastest-growing economies in the region, even outpacing its larger neighbour, India.

The country’s per capita income tripled in a decade, and the World Bank estimates that over 25 million people were lifted out of poverty in the last 20 years. Hasina’s government undertook ambitious infrastructure projects, such as the $2.9 billion Padma Bridge across the Ganges, using a combination of domestic funds, loans, and development assistance.

However, these economic gains came at a considerable cost. Parliamentary elections in 2014, 2018, and 2024 were marred by low turnout, violence, and boycotts by opposition parties. Hasina’s government increasingly relied on hard power to maintain control, creating a climate of fear and repression. The Digital Security Act, implemented in 2018, became a potent weapon for the government and ruling party activists to silence critics and stifle freedom of expression, particularly online. Press freedom suffered, and civil rights were systematically suppressed as Hasina consolidated her position as the sole centre of power.

While the economy grew, so did the disparity between the haves and have-nots. Bank scams proliferated, and the list of loan defaulters ballooned. Companies like CLC Power, Western Marine Shipyard, and Remex Footwear topped the list of defaulters, with bad loans ranging from 965 crore to 1,649 crore Bangladeshi Taka. The growing economic inequality, coupled with rampant corruption, fuelled public discontent despite the overall economic progress.

Almost 18 million young people are out of work in Bangladesh, which has a population of 170 million. Bangladesh is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. The country exports clothes worth around $40 billion to the global market. The retail sector employs more than 4 million people, including women. But this growth has not translated into jobs for educated youngsters

While Hasina’s economic achievements were commendable, her exercise of hard power and disregard for democratic norms ultimately led to her downfall. As Bangladesh moves forward, it faces the challenge of regaining its economic momentum while restoring faith in its democratic institutions and addressing inequalities that have emerged in recent years.

The events in Bangladesh underscore the importance of balancing economic progress with democratic governance as well as transparency and accountability in the absence of which only few benefit at the expense of many.

Unlike her predecessors, such as the unpopular army chief H M Ershad who was jailed but did not flee the country. She, by leaving the country, has joined the club of Pakistani rulers who instead of fighting back preferred to flee away to safer havens. 

Sheikh Hasina’s fall from grace should serve as a cautionary reminder for leaders who prioritise economic development at the expense of democratic values and civil liberties.

Does this narrative appear familiar or have similarities with another neighbour of Bangladesh? I would love to leave it to the imagination of our readers.

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