Sheikh Hasina's ouster: Islamist upheaval in Bangladesh and loss of the 'liberal' dream

By Bhaskar Sur* 

In recent weeks, Bangladesh has experienced significant unrest, apparently sparked by the issue of reservations or quotas in government employment. India has provisions for reservations aimed at tribal communities and those marginalized by the caste system, founded on the principle of positive discrimination. This policy has notably empowered impoverished and marginalized groups. 

In Bangladesh, however, the largest quota -- 30% -- was designated for the descendants of the Mukti Yuddha (freedom fighters), a measure that has long since outlived its relevance more than five decades after the country gained independence. 

Bangladesh emerged from a brutal civil war with Pakistan, which claimed nearly three million lives among both Muslims and Hindus. This battle for independence was fought valiantly against the Pakistani army and the Razakar militia, but it is crucial to recognize that without India's vital support and military intervention, Bangladesh might not have existed as we know it today. 

The newly formed nation faced numerous challenges but adopted a progressive constitution that established it as a secular, socialist democracy -- a vision of a free and egalitarian society that has historically eluded its people. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the charismatic figure of the liberation struggle, ultimately proved to be a flawed leader. The devastating famine of 1973 significantly damaged his reputation and authority. 

Amidst the Cold War tensions, the U.S. could not remain passive, leading to a CIA-backed coup in which Mujib and many of his family members were assassinated. Only Hasina and her sister survived, having been in London at that time. Under military rule, first led by Ziaur Rahman, Bangladesh embarked on a path of Islamization, with the term "secularism" being stripped from its constitution. Muhammad Ershad, who succeeded Zia following his death, further solidified Bangladesh's Islamic identity, forging alliances with mullahs and Islamist factions that had opposed the liberation movement and participated in the genocidal violence. 

The Hindu population, which contributed significantly to the struggle for independence, found themselves relegated to the status of persecuted second-class citizens. Between 1988 and 1996, approximately three million Hindus and Buddhists fled the country in search of safety and a dignified life. This influx of refugees was met with an eerie silence from India's Left and liberal factions, even as they continued to rely on these refugees for support in the political sphere. 

In 1996, an influential mass movement led to the overthrow of the military dictatorship, resulting in the election of the Awami League under Sheikh Hasina’s leadership. She adopted a policy of friendship and cooperation with India, which was essential for both nations and seen as mutually beneficial. However, this angered Islamist factions who began labeling her as an Indian puppet. 

Under Hasina's leadership, Bangladesh experienced remarkable economic growth, surpassing India in various developmental metrics. Renowned Pakistani liberal intellectual Pervez Hoodbhoy praised Bangladesh's achievements, especially when compared to a Pakistan riddled with corruption and terrorism. Unfortunately, this progress was not destined to endure in a Muslim-majority nation. 

The Awami League, as the ruling party, tightened its grip on power, increasingly perceived as authoritarian. Yet, compared to other "democratic" leaders in the Islamic world, such as Erdogan, Hasina appeared almost virtuous. The backlash and revolt was fueled not only by corruption -- certainly not more severe than in Egypt, Pakistan, or Indonesia -- but was also reflective of deeper societal issues. 

The conflict over reservations was essentially a desperate scramble over dwindling employment opportunities. In a neo-liberal climate, regular jobs have become scarce, rendering the reservation debate almost irrelevant -- a strategic distraction aimed at undermining the government. 

The genuine anger was directed against the rising liberal and secular currents among the urban middle class and Hasina’s perceived alignment with India. 

Bangladeshi nationalism, severed from its foundational principle of secularism, has morphed into a virulent reflection of Pakistani nationalism that thrives on antagonizing and demonizing India. Over the years, Bangladesh has been gradually Islamized through continued evangelism, petro-dollars, and Islamic finance. 

The current wave of hostility appears to be a culmination of an extensive and well-orchestrated disinformation campaign aimed at inciting anti-India sentiment. Recently, mobs have been seen vandalizing museums dedicated to the liberation struggle and toppling statues of Mujib, who -- despite his flaws -- was instrumental in gaining Bangladesh's independence. 

The Hindu community is predictably under attack, viewed as supporters of the ousted ruling party. West Bengal and Tripura now brace for an influx of refugees, posing a threat to the delicate communal balance and significantly benefiting the proponents of Hindutva. 

Once again, Marxists have proven to be easily led, mesmerized by the Islamist resurgence. The radical Left is particularly naïve, perceiving this turmoil as the dawn of a long-awaited revolution. 

This sentiment echoes the futile efforts of an aging man, struggling with impotence, attempting to find excitement in the shocking imagery of a violent adult film.

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*Source: Author's Facebook timeline