IN FEW countries, the armed forces having tasted power seldom returns to barracks. This is nowhere truer than in the recent case of Bangladesh.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina - the daughter of freedom fighter Sheikh Mujibur Rahman - was ousted from power on Monday July 6, 2024.

One of two Bangladeshi female PM apart from Khaleda Zia, she was in power for some two decades over three occasions (1996-2001, 2009-2014 and 2014-2024) during which she jailed key opposition leaders and others who opposed her government.

Under her administration, Bangladesh prospered at the expense of democracy and freedom. Ranked 26th on Forbes’ list of “The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women” in 2018, Hasina, 77, was able to cultivate good relations with India.

Preferential treatment for the children of freedom fighters in the civil service was the reason that that ignited street protests resulting in the death of 400 protesters.

Finally, it was the army’s reluctance to cooperate with Hasina that led to her abrupt resignation.

Self-exile

The chief of the army made it clear to her that the street protests cannot be contained, hence it was best for Hasina to resign. Her son, too, played a part in her resignation before the departure of her and sister to India.

How long she will stay in India remains unknown but India has made it clear she cannot remain in the country for long.

Hasina had such a good relationship with India but alas, even India cannot offer a safe haven for her and family.

Meanwhile, the leaders of the protesters wanted Nobel Prize laureate Mohammed Yunus the to be appointed as advisor of the interim government. Apparently, he has accepted the post as he prepares to return from France.

The Bangladeshi president has since suspended the Parliament. The protests against Hasina’s administration have unfortunately given rise to attacks against ethnic and religious minorities, especially Hindus who constitute 8% of the country’s population.

At one time, Hindus represented 20% of the population. Ironically, Hasina’s close relationship with the Indian establishment is one reason Hindus were targeted. Hindu temples were destroyed in some places. Generally, while Hasina was in power, Hindus backed her Awami League party.

India is wary

India is watching with great concern over the developments in Bangladesh. There is fear that attacks against Hindus would accelerate the movement of refugees into India. This has happened in the past and there is no guarantee that this would not happen again.

It is believed that the pro-Pakistani groups have a role in the protest movements. All the countries in South Asia are keenly watching the recent developments in the country.

The leaders of the protest movement are demanding India to hand over Hasina to the authorities in Bangladesh.

I doubt India will do this but a permanent stay for Hasina in the country is not an option. Mohammed Yunus has remarked that India had good intentions in supporting the wrong leader that is Hasina.

In countries like Bangladesh, the army has not really returned to the barracks. The army might not take power but it still has powerful role in ensuring that there is an orderly transfer of power.

It was the army’s reluctance to contain the protests that led Hasina’s resignation in a matter of 48 hours.

While Hasina and her sister were given the safe passage, some of the fleeing ministers were not so lucky.  A few were arrested in the airport by the authorities. - Aug 7, 2024

Former DAP stalwart and Penang chief minister II Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is chairman of the United Rights of Malaysian Party (Urimai) interim council.

https://focusmalaysia.my/self-imposed-exile-of-bangladeshi-pm-sheikh-hasina-is-something-madani-govt-must-avoid-in-malaysia/