Then neither the sky shed tears over them nor the earth. (The Quran, 44:29)The 15 years long dictatorial regime of Sheikh Hasina Wajid in neighbouring Bangladesh collapsed like a house of cards. It serves as an eye-opener for all rulers, who claim to be democratically elected, but in fact act as the worst dictators and despots.
Bangladesh was created by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1971. He was given the title of BangaBandhu and father of the nation. He showed his true colours soon and made his country a one-party nation. Corruption, nepotism and atrocities resulted in a conspiracy and his murder in 1975, just four years after the foundation of Bangladesh. The unfortunate country saw several ups and downs and military coups. Fifteen years ago Hasina captured power and gradually marginalised all political parties. She ruled with an iron hand and destroyed all democratic institutions.
Afterwards Hasina started the farce of the so-called International Crimes Tribunal to try, as she claimed, the war criminals who sought to obstruct the struggle to make independent Bangladesh. The main thrust of this fake tribunal was against the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami (BJI) which was striving to improve the moral and living level of the common citizens. This organisation was closer to Bangladesh National Party (BNP) whose leader was Khalida Zia.
The tribunal continued the so-called trials and several popular leaders of BJI were sentenced to death. Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and several other reputed global human rights organisations have severely criticised these fake trials and described them as violation of human rights and against the fair trials. Motiur Rahman Nizami, the BJI leader, along with several other top leaders, was also eliminated in this way.
Khalida Zia was accused of corruption and thrown behind bars. Common citizens were against these chains of atrocities. But Hasina had her coterie of associates who were standing solidly behind her. Hasina also controlled the media, and all other institutions. The Banker of common people, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus also was victimised by the Hasina regime.
The people were silently tolerating these dictatorial measures and resentment was steadily increasing. The students’ agitation against the reservation for participants of freedom struggle and subsequent reservation for the children and grandchildren of the freedom fighters proved to be the last straw which broke the camel’s back. Now the people see with hope the formation of a caretaker government which is expected to take corrective steps and pave the way for free and fair national elections.
The UK and the USA have denied entry to Hasina. They have done it because of her very questionable record of human rights violations.
The immediate task before the country is restoration of peace and order. The news of attack on Hindu minority in Bangladesh is also very disturbing. Many other reports rebut this news. However, the fact remains that all 17 crore citizens in the country are equal. Their life, honour and dignity must be protected.
As the neighbours of Bangladesh we wish restoration of democracy, promotion of peace and tranquillity and progress of the country. We are the closest neighbour of Bangladesh. We share with it the longest border. Therefore, any disturbance there will affect us also. Let us hope that calm returns to Bangladesh and true democracy is restored there.