On 5 August 2024, Bangladesh saw a dramatic power shift when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled the
country, handing over authority to General Waker-Uz-Zaman, the Chief of Army Staff. This occurred after security forces failed to control mass protests in Dhaka, primarily led by university students dissatisfied with a controversial quota system in government jobs. The system allocated 30% of jobs to the grandchildren of freedom fighters, who are mostly Awami League loyalists, alongside quotas for women, backward districts, minority communities and people with disabilities. On 21 July 2024, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh reduced the quota system to 7%. Despite this, the protests continued, driven by deep distrust in the government and anger over Sheikh Hasina’s handling of the situation. Her remark, “Why do they [the protesters] have so much resentment towards the freedom fighters? If the grandchildren of the freedom fighters don’t get quota benefits, should the grandchildren of Razakars get the benefit?” further inflamed tensions, with protestors accusing her of autocracy.
Sheikh Hasina’s tenure, despite being marred by accusations of autocracy, also witnessed significant economic growth. Since 2009, Bangladesh’s economy has quadrupled, fuelled by the textile sector and remittances. Her government maintained balanced relations with India and China and took a firm stance against Pakistan’s collaborators from the 1971 Independence War. However, tensions simmered due to perceived government nepotism and corruption. Muhammad Yunus, with close ties to the American establishment, became the head of the interim government after Hasina’s exit. His administration includes technocrats, student leaders and prominent figures. Reports of attacks on Hindus and Awami League members since Yunus took power are concerning, particularly for India, given the historical context and the presence of Bangladeshi and Rohingya immigrants in India. The involvement of pro-Pakistan Islamists and the US’s alleged interests further complicate the situation. This shift sets a troubling precedent, highlighting the fragile balance between democratic legitimacy, national stability and regional geopolitics.
Published as “Sheikh
Hasina’s Fall from Power”, VideshNeeti, 15 August 2024, 1 (4): 1.
