??Sheikh Hasina?s attempt to exorcise the ghosts of the 1971 Liberation War has led to the recent law and order mayhem across Bangladesh?s borders. Some may characterize the sentencing of Delwar Hussain Syedi to death as brave whereas others may believe that it is recipe for disaster. Either way, over the last weeks crowds have poured out on the roads in support of the sentence, reaffirming their allegiance to the due process of law vis-a-vis violent Islamist fundamentalists.
Shahbagh Park has become Bangladesh?s Tahrir Square. However no one can deny the political undertone of this event. Sheikh Hasina instituted the Liberation War Tribunal in 2010 with great gusto after her party, the Awami League came to power in 2008, as many among the accused persons were at the time members of the Jamaat-e-Islami party which was an ardent ally of the opposition BNP (Bangladesh National Party) led by Khaleda Zia.
President Pranab Mukherjee?s 3-day visit was his first as President to the country. His visit is befitting the task India is faced with; his commitment is apropos considering that he was personally involved in 1971 War as Indira Gandhi?s emissary; coupled with the fact that he is a Bengali himself. This official visit symbolises India?s support of the government in power along with the people who stood in vigil at Shahbagh in support of the death sentence. Moreover, it attests India?s stand against rogue political elements and the supremacy of law over all else. On the political front the President?s visit may be seen as a balancing act between last year?s Khaleda Zia?s visit which happened despite New Delhi?s distaste for her allies (among them: the Jamaat). Further, this could also be construed as an attempt of Sheikh Hasina to consolidate power at home. India has a strategic interest in Bangladesh and thus it has rightly stepped in to buttress the hardliner government.
The protests and violence in Bangladesh is quintessential of the political transformation it is undergoing over a substantial period of time. Bangladesh is becoming politically conscious of the nuances and niceties of governance and political apparatus generally. The protests also go out to show that along with a section of Islamist extremists there is a formidable section of Bangla society comprising the alert and educated middle class intelligentsia. This is good boding for the country which has seen in the past riots, senseless violence, bipolar dynastic politics, rampant corruption scandals and much else. Bangladesh indeed seems to be coming of political age, yet still an arduous battle lies ahead to change things for good.
Zainab Lokhandwala, ?Intern, TIE)
