by Dr. Dilip Nath
An Introduction
Bangladesh has undergone significant changes in its social and political landscape over the past two years. Following a recent student-led movement that resulted in the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government, the country has become increasingly unstable. Nobel laureate Dr. Yunus is now leading the nation under an interim government. Bangladesh is perceived as compromising secular principles by granting immunity to Jamat-e-Islami and Hizbat Tahrir, far-right militant groups. Global security concerns have heightened under Dr. Yunus’s administration. This article reviews the ineffective policies implemented by the nascent government and the rise in radicalism and lawlessness. It draws on several notable news articles to analyze the current chaotic and unlawful societal conditions in Bangladesh.
Dr Yunus Cohesive and Impunity Policy Towards Radical Groups
Dr Yunus has widely been known as a figured and seasoned global icon of Bangladesh. However, the recent turmoil in Bangladesh proved him to be antithetical to core values of peace and security. His leniency towards notorious and than prescribed organisations raised concerns for Bangladesh generally and international community particularly. Radical organisations like Jamat-e-Islami and Hizbat Tahrir possess notorious history in destabilizing the country. Moreover, Dr Yunus government has lifted the ban on Jamat-e-Islami and has released its leaders those were arrested on grave a charges. These tacit support for these organisations of contemporary government has threatened the underlying principles of Bangladesh.
Containment of Radical Groups Under Hasina’s Government.
Sheikh Hasina’s Government has discouraged these radical groups and taken an aggressive charge against militancy. However, the radical ideologies were strictly discouraged by previous government. During 15 years tenure of previous government these has crushed by Sheikh Hasina administration. Certain intelligence based operations (IBOs) were conducted with help of intelligence networks and direct military interventions. Leaders of far right group Jamat-e-Islami were trialed and put justice by swift hearings.
Under Hasina Wajid administration these faction has marginalized by law enforcement agencies and were deemed as direct threat to Nation’s security. Being as hardliner against these militant groups, than government has often been termed as authoritarian government. As a contrast Dr. Yunus encourage Jamat-e-Islami publically and referred it as an allied party. Jamat-e-Islami prisoners has been released and all cases against these individuals has been removed. Dr. Yunus termed marginalization of Jamat-e-Islami as a politically motivated crackdown by Sheikh Hasina regime past decade.
Economic Stability Under Hasina: Balancing Hardships and Security
The economic boom during Sheikh Hasina Government often exemplified by other nations in the region. Economic wellbeing of the Bangladesh society was exceptional despite of struggle and resource -depleted nation. Progress of Bangladesh economy and diminishing poverty number hindered risk of marginalisation of people. During 2022 Bangladesh GDP was recorded as having fastest growth upto 7.2 percent (Al Jazeera , 2024).
This historic economic progress of Bangladesh has made it leader in textile exporting countries. On the other hand, Dr Yunus Government has drastically impacted the economic growth and growing chaos has led this nation to economic uncertainty. On the other hand, economy has been widely impacted under Dr. Yunus regime. It has been reported that more than 100 garments factories has been shut down which make economic progress of Bangladesh even worse (Chaudhury, 2024).
The Progress of Women and LGBTQ Communities Under Sheikh Hasina
Sheikh Hasina’s government although was not based purely on secular principles. However, women rights were greatly safeguarded during 15 year rule. Specifically, encouraging of inclusivity has practiced by government and women has given equal employment, educational and political participations. Moreover, these step has led to building of progressive environment. Besides, Dr Yunus regime has proved it antithetical to secular and inclusive principles. As, Dr Yunus government has been backed by far right religious militant groups, therefore extremist ideologies discourage LGBTQ right activists and deem them as threat to Bangladeshi society. Between August 5th and Aug 24th this year, 4 cases of rape and torture against women. Moreover, 953 cases of vandalisation and looting has been reported across 8 divisions of Bangladesh.
Chaos and Insecurity Under Dr. Yunus Government
Dr. Yunus regime has widely hindered the lawfulness in society and Les to chaotic social environment. It has been identified that security and peacefulness greatly threatened since this chaotic phase of this South Asian nation begin in July, 2024. This prevailing sense of insecurity has widely been administered in educational institutions where government backed far right student organizations has been staging rallies and protests. These extremist backed protests and rallies deter government to compromise basic democratic rights of the socket. Violence has become prevalent in Bangladesh since inception of Dr. Yunus government. 915 cases of house burnings and lootings has been reported across major cities of Bangladesh. As Bangladesh was purely based on secular-democratic principle, Dr Yunus now leading it to become Muslim-Democratic nation.
Bangladesh Descending into Lawlessness and the Afghan Parallel
Progressive radicalization of Bangladesh has posed imminent threats of it becoming as an Afghan parallel in Southern Asia. Moreover, the diminishing lawfulness and uplifting of extremist ideologies has threatened the global peace immensely. In addition, proliferation of anti-secular and democratic ideas could lead to similar political and social Chao as of Afghanistan. As a far right group was banned by previous government back in 2013 due to its links with Pakistan forces during independence.
Further, Dr Yunus government has lifted the ban on proscribed organization “Jamat-i-Islami” and gave opportunity to participate in mainstream politics (Al Jazeera, 2024). Encouraging these groups has greatly threatened peace and risk of proliferating extremist ideologies and principles. The youth of Bangladesh has been drastically radicalised due to recent upsurge of government supported extremist groups. Staging of daily protests has become a new routine in Bangladesh, during recent protest by Hizbat Tahrir students staged the protest bearing ISIS banners (Sharma, 2024). These instances has proved that Bangladeshi society heading towards utter lawlessness and could lead to complete takeover of government by extremist groups.
Security Implications for Global Peace
Security implications has become evident due to contemporary development in Bangladesh under Dr. Yunus regime. The autocratic government has threatened global community and South Asia at large. In addition, media houses has been kept under immense threat against reporting and criticising current government, these instances has led to growing need of intervention by global society. Moreover, the rise of Islamic militancy threatened the strategic location of the country.
Geographically, Bangladesh located in the region where extremism has been experiencing a surge in past three Decades. Likewise, Pakistan and Afghanistan, the taking over of Bangladesh by pro extremist Dr. Yunus regime would prove vulnerable to the global peace and prosperity. In addition, the diminishing economy and unemployment could lead to refugee crisis to the neighboring countries. India could be directly impacted by this influx of migrants. Therefore, global community must step forward to thwart this growing threat of destabilizing South Asian region.
Lawlessness, Intolerance and Radicalised Society
Violence has been identified as prevalent in Bangladesh since toppling of Sheikh Hasina government. Rising cases of lawlessness like homicides, enforced disappearances and rapes has been reported. Exploitation and extortion of political dissidents and ideological opponents has been on rise under Dr. Yunus regime. Women has been fell victim to the conservative and radical ideologies of far right religious groups. Religious insecurity and intolerance has become prevalent factor in Bangladesh, incidents of vandalisation against religious placed increased drastically. It has been reported that 69 cases of such instances has been orchestrated in the month of August this year. In addition, the articles that has revered as sacred in Hinduism has also been stolen from Jeshoreshwari temple in Shyamnagar (ANI, 2024). These instances are abrupt warning of intense religious intolerance and proliferation of radical ideologies in Bangladeshi society.
Conclusion
To conclude this it could be held that the South Asian nation heading towards ultimate chaos, intolerance, destabilization. Moreover, Under Dr. Yunus regime harboring of radical and far right extremist groups has led to threatening of basic principles of the country. The growing militancy has impacted lawfulness and threatened regional security specifically and global peace generally. The measure that had adopt by Sheikh Hasina against extremism and radicalization has now been greatly affected. Scores of lawlessness incidents has been reported across Bangladesh during contemporary regime. Dr. Yunus regime has orchestrated extreme intolerance to political dissidents which led to scores of enforced disappearances by law enforcement agencies. The growing uncertainty in Bangladesh must be stopped at urgent basis and global community should step forward in curibing extremism and unlawfulness in Bangladeshi society.
Author Bio: Dr. Dilip Nath is a distinguished author and a senior think tank executive in the sectors of higher education and healthcare. Driven by passion, he champions for voting rights, defending human rights, and is actively engaged in political activism. As an alumnus of the Harvard Kennedy School, he is deeply committed to transparent public policy and its proper execution within governmental frameworks.
References
Sharma, P, (2024, Oct 16). ‘Students March with “ISIS Flags” in Bangladesh’ First Post. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.firstpost.com/vantage/students-march-with-isis-flags-in-bangladesh-vd588779/amp/
Al Jazeera, (2024, Aug 28). ‘Bangladesh’s interim government lifts ban on Jamaat-e-Islami party’ News: Politics. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/8/28/bangladeshs-interim-government-lifts-ban-on-jamaat-e-islami-party
ANI, (2024, Oct 11). ‘India “deeply disturbed” by theft of religious article from Bangladesh temple, urge authorities to investigate’ Indian Narrative. https://www.indianarrative.com/india-news/india-deeply-disturbed-by-theft-of-religious-article-from-bangladesh-temple-urge-authorities-to-investigate-163064.html
Chaudhury, D, (2024, Sep 5). ‘Lawfulness prevails in Bangladesh as radical force several authorities to resign’ The Economic Times. https://m.economictimes.com/news/international/world-news/lawlessness-prevails-in-bangladesh-as-radicals-force-several-authorities-to-resign/articleshow/113101114.cms
Al Jazeera, (2024, Aug 5). ‘Timeline: The rise and fall of Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina’ News. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.aljazeera.com/amp/news/2024/8/5/timeline-sheikh-hasinas-reign-ends-after-15-years
Disclaimer: These are the personal opinions of the author
