Political Upheaval in Bangladesh: Sheikh Hasina Flown to Safety Amid Student-Led Revolt

Bangladesh is currently experiencing a dramatic political upheaval as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, a long-time leader widely credited with over-seeing the country’s economic progress, and cementing relationships with the EU, has been flown to safety in India following widespread protests that have culminated in the illegal seizure of government buildings.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina & EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen Address Global Gateway 2023 in Brussels.

Sheikh Hasina, who first came to power in 1996 and again in 2009, faced an unprecedented revolt as demonstrators took control of key government sites.

The protests erupted over the government’s decision to reinstate a policy from the 1970s that reserved a quarter of the country’s industrial and economic sector jobs for former military personnel and their families, as well as for the families of those involved in the independence struggle.

This decision, in a country plagued by high unemployment, particularly among university graduates, sparked outrage among the youth.

The students, who were at the forefront of the protests, and supported by opportunist nationalist and Islamist opposition political parties, managed to mobilise a significant movement, culminating in a march on Dhaka.

The actions led to violent clashes, resulting in casualties among both protesters and police.

The situation deteriorated further when the protesters gained control of government buildings, including the prime minister’s residence, forcing Sheikh Hasina to move to safety in neighbouring India, a close ally of Bangladesh.

The protesters tore down a statue of Mujib Rahman, the country’s founding leader, and the father of Sheikh Hasina, who was assassinated along with his family during a military coup.

The current crisis has sparked discussions about the formation of a transitional government, with the Bangladeshi military, echoing the past.

However, student leaders have demanded a significant role in the formation of any new government, threatening that the public will not leave the streets unless their demands are met.

This insistence on inclusive decision-making however represents a departure from previous military-led transitions, highlighting the growing influence of civil society under Sheikh Hasina’s leadership in shaping Bangladesh’s future.

The political turbulence in Bangladesh also holds regional implications.

India, a key ally of Sheikh Hasina, has been closely watching the developments, given its strategic interests in the region.

Her departure to India underscores the deep ties between the two countries.

Meanwhile, China, which has been expanding its influence in South Asia, is also carefully monitoring the situation.

Beijing’s recent success in strengthening ties with the Maldives, another strategic Indian Ocean state, suggests that China may seek to capitalise on the current instability in Bangladesh to counterbalance India’s regional influence.

As the situation unfolds, the outcome of Bangladesh’s political crisis remains uncertain.

The potential for a power shift away from pro-Indian policies could open the door for greater Chinese involvement, potentially reshaping the region’s geopolitical dynamics, and possibly threatening the country’s hard-earned relationships with the major free-world powers.

The international community will be watching closely as Bangladesh navigates this critical juncture in its history.

Main Image: Nahidhasan027 via Wikipedia.