Status quo
It is not usual news that a prime minister of a democratic state resigned and fled away, after the result of deadly protests, violent oppositions and rebellious acts of masses of Bangladesh. It is enough ironical to get amused that, a country is now in the hands of a dictator and people are celebrating their success on streets and for sure it is a victory but again no place for forces to intervene.
Historical background of all the current status of the country, where an interim government has been settled under the advisory of Nobel Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus, is not hidden. Last month the High Court put back a quota system for government job, overturning a 2018 decision of the government of Shaikh Hasina, which states that, 30 percent of jobs will be reserved for family members of freedom fighters of the 1971. But the Supreme Court suspended the High Court order after the appeal of government. However, the students stepped up and showed their opposition and they protested after Hasina refused to meet their demands.
The question here arises that, why this 15 years long ruling government was that much concerned with this policy? Former prime minister Shaikh Hasina is daughter of founder of Bangladesh, “Sheikh Mujibur Rahman”, who fought for emergence of Bangladesh. Critics and opposition says, that this policy is directly, beneficial to the followers of her own party which were involved in freedom movement in 1971 and the rest of the people are deprived and hence this policy apparently, was discriminatory. Amidst growing unrest, Hasina’s government is also accused of extra judicial killings, corruption and inflation in the country was at peak, which lead the students to take the path of protest.
Apart from all the facts and critics, again I raise questions that, was it role of military to intervene? Indeed, the real freedom comes by mind of people of a nation and for sure people of Bangladesh are way better than many such other developing nations, but the announcement of army chief of an interim set-up seems suppression of democracy. As, it is said that, “Worst democracy is better than best autocracy”.
Moreover, as the new administration takes over in Dhaka, many are wondering whether it will be able to take the country of 170 million people out of what, one of the members of the new government called a “dark era”. I believe new regime of democracy can be restored by early and fair elections. However, it can only be hoped that, elections free from corrupt practices shall be held in Bangladesh, as the army chief also said to the people in his speech.
In every nation it is crucial that, they must realize their rights and have courage to speak for the same. What the people of Bangladesh did is truly a lesson for all developing nations whose rights are suppressed by the oppressors. However, their army chief’s takeover cannot frankly be called as legitimate.
Talking example of Pakistan, sadly it has also witnessed such interventions directly and indirectly, resultantly those power grabs had never been acceptable. Therefore, even if the administration is under a caretaker prime minister it is most important elections should be held as it is only solution to avail political stability.
