Dr Sabrina Syed:
I wasn’t prepared to write about the current situation in Dhaka or Bangladesh, as I didn’t want my words to influence anyone living there or encourage them to take actions that could lead to harm. Similarly, I didn’t want to draw external attention to the country, which could potentially increase agitation. International intervention often occurs when there are perceived benefits, as seen with the crises in Gaza and Ukraine.
Nevertheless, I feel compelled to share my viewpoint on the current unrest, given that I spent nearly 30 years in Dhaka and consider it my birthplace, though it no longer feels like home. The sense of home has been lost due to the pervasive injustice, unfairness, and corruption that have eroded the beauty of the country.
While corruption is a global issue, its extreme manifestation in Bangladesh underscores the severity of the situation. The disparity between those who can access and benefit from the corrupt system, such as government officials and politicians, and those who are excluded from it, highlights a significant societal divide. This disparity has led university students and recent graduates to become increasingly paranoid about securing government jobs, seeing them as a rare opportunity for stability and advancement in a system that seems otherwise inaccessible.
Government positions are perceived as offering a comfortable and affluent lifestyle with relatively less effort compared to other careers. While many struggle to afford daily necessities, inequality is often openly highlighted by government employees. For instance, a recent news story featured the extravagant purchase of a USD 1200 goat by the son of a government official, which became a national talking point. In contrast, the private sector, which could have been a good choice for many young adults, can often feel like modern slavery, where those in power exploit their positions while others are left to endure harsh working conditions. Though the government should have the authority to restructure the private sector, the country has never seen sufficient effort in this regard. One reason could be that most political parties rely heavily on donations from these business organisations which include corporations, industries, NGOs, private universities, and others.
The frustration of disparity is further compounded by the reserved seats (quota system) in government jobs for specific groups. These reserved positions are perceived as barriers for young generations seeking government jobs, as those who do not belong to the groups benefiting from reserved seats have a significantly lower chance of being selected. This systematic discrimination has led to the July 2024 unrest and movements in Bangladesh. Historical context shows that such movements are not rare in Bangladesh; the country has experienced periodic protests and movements throughout its history.
This time the situation became shocking when the government, instead of addressing the demands of the movement, responded by introducing brutal police forces that made poor decisions, including attacking students. This raises several questions: Do law enforcement and the government have the right to take strict (life threatening) measures to stop the protesters? If the students were protesting the quota system, does this justify the destruction of public property? Where should the boundaries be set in addressing the issues of those who damage public assets versus those who protest against an unfair system? Additionally, it is important to question whether the individuals involved in destroying public property were genuine students or if they were agitators aiming to undermine the movement.
Clearly, there is widespread dissatisfaction with the Awami league government of Bangladesh. One major issue is the perception that the last national election was unfair, leading to a belief that the government is autocratic due to its prolonged hold on power. Compounding this is the severe economic crisis exacerbated by the pandemic. While even developed countries are struggling, a small, low-income country like Bangladesh faces significant challenges. As a result, even after the quota system was restructured, protesters did not return home and continued to demand justice for those who were injured or killed during the protest. With over 100 confirmed casualties reported by official sources, the protesters called for the resignation of the government.
Although overturning the government might not resolve the economic crisis overnight, it could offer hope for improved wealth distribution. The best approach for the country would be to hold the law enforcement accountable if they have wrongfully attacked innocent students and to provide the public with the prospect of a fair election by transitioning to an interim government. This is a concern given past experiences, where interim governments controlled by the military often treated the entire country as being under their boots (command). While history may repeat itself, I hope the public will insist on organizing a fair election. Organizing an election is a significant expense, but I believe the people of Bangladesh are willing to take this risk in pursuit of a more transparent and equitable political process, which could lead to better governance and improved living conditions.
Author:
Dr Sabrina Syed, Academic, The University of Newcastle, Australia.