Bangladesh at 50: Hard Democratic Realities, Unfulfilled Secular Promises

On December 16, 1971, Pakistani soldiers surrendered to a joint India-Bangladesh force and Bangladesh was born. Had a peaceful transfer of power taken place and had the Awami League been able to forge a constitution with greater devolution of power and autonomy for all provinces and institute more inclusive governance structures, many of Pakistan’s contemporary security challenges may have been forestalled, such as the endless and brutal oppression of ethnic Baloch who harbour similar grievances to those of the Bengalis but, because they comprise less than five per cent of Pakistan’s population, lack the demographic or political heft. General Hussain Muhammad Ershad, Bangladesh’ second military dictator who was in power from 1982 until 1990, continued consolidating Bangladesh’s ties with Muslim countries and extended Ziaur’s project of embedding Islam in Bangladesh’s governance. The most public victims of Bangladesh’ repudiation of its own commitments to secularism and democracy have been the Bangladeshi Hindus as well as secular Muslims, Ahmedis, homosexuals and even Sufis. Countering this is not only our responsibility, and neighbouring countries like India should also remain vigilant… India did help us in the liberation war and we will remain ever grateful for the support… But they have to be aware that such incidents should not take place there which would have an impact on Bangladesh, and the Hindus in our country face attacks.” Hasina isn’t incorrect.