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Riding the tiger (December 2018 elections in Bangladesh)
Read more on - Polity | Economy | Schemes | S&T | Environment
- What's visible about Bangladesh: From 1971 onwards, B'desh was a "basket case" marred by mass famines, cyclones and floods. It now seems far ahead, with economic progress and democratic stability having brought better human development, life expectancy and food security.
- No more an LDC now: B'desh is the 8th largest by population, and is approaching middle income status quickly, shedding the Least Developed Country (LDC) label. Credit goes to readymade garment industry, NGOs, grassroot development, and the two term-leadership of Sheikh Hasina (daughter of 'Bangabandhu' Sheikh Mujibur Rahman) since 2009.
- Credit where it's due: She gave refuge to the Rohingya Muslims fleeing persecution in Myanmar, acted as a bulwark against Islamic fundamentalism, and dismantled the camps of the Northeast militants.
- Sad slide into authoritarianism: Sadly, she has moved from autocracy into authoritarianism, and many fear a political calamity now. She is expected to rig the 2018 elections. Then what next?
- Cannot afford to lose! She feels that given the bitter nature of Bangladesh politics, she HAS to win the elections. So it's riding a tiger, and she's scared of getting down.
- Treason, treason: Anyone who criticises her regime is treated as a traitor! The PM has turned the legislature, executive and judiciary into rubber stamps.
- Family business: Her US-returned son Sajeeb Wazed Joy is being promoted in posters.
- Throttling the media: Media houses have censored themselves as harsh action is taken instantly by the govt. The new "Digital Security Act” will kill free expression, going forward.
- Killing civil society: Sheikh Hasina brought cases of sedition against well-known editors. Photographer Shahidul Alam is in jail for live-streaming Awami League's attacks on young protestors. The PM is unmoved by international criticism. Bail petitions are rejected, as courts cower in fear.
- Why so intense? People say that her survival instinct comes from the sad assassination of her family in 1975. Indira Gandhi had given refuge to the sisters - Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana - which makes her pro-Delhi today.
- One success of India: PM Modi's one sure foreign policy success in South Asia is Dhaka. She has helped shut down Northeast militant camps, allowed entry into Bangladesh markets, etc.
- Water and Rohingyas:
- As a lower riparian country with dense population, B'desh is worried about any upstream flow diversion in Ganga / Padma and also about the Inter Linking of Rivers project (ILR).
- Anti-Bangladesh tirade by the BJP post the Assam NRC is also a big issue, though the PM is silent about it.
- Jailing the opponent: The BNP Chair Begum Khaleda Zia is in jail in a corruption case, and in failing health. The 2014 boycott of elections by BNP gave Awami League the chance to make it a one party game.
- Murder of opposition: BNP cadres are being jailed nationwide, and lack of opposition has meant extra-judicial killings. The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) carries out fake encounters, and military intelligence is used by the PM regularly.
- Traitors! Terms like "Jamaati", "Razakar", "Tagorites", "Mossad operatives", "Pakistani intelligece" are used to run down opponents.
- Truly secular? She is not secular (as widely perceived) as she has silently accommodated the clerics group Hefazat-e-Islam, and has started treating Madrasa degress equivalent to University degrees for govt. jobs.
- Spontaneous combustion: People are organising on their own and protesting on various issues - 56% quota in PSU jobs, road safety, etc. She crushed all, but will be at risk in future.
- Compromise? She met leaders of the coalition "Jatiya Oikya Front“ (BNP and 4 others) including framer of the 1972 constitution – Kamal Hossain. The Front wants a neutral govt. to conduct elections and release of Ms Zia. The PM refused.
- Downhill: Sadly, Sheikh Hasina is destroying everything she helped the nation achieve, through her brand of crony capitalism and intolerance. Time for a big change.
- Summary - The politics in Bangladesh has taken a nasty turn, and unless reversed to a moderate stand quickly, may deteriorate into authoritarianism.
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