Sheikh Hasina Wajid's fifth term came to an end yesterday after several weeks of intense anti-government protests. After Hasina Wajid resigned or perhaps was fired and then left the country, the streets of Dhaka were in a state of celebration. Bangladesh has been in a state of unrest since last month when a student-led movement began demanding the government to end the quota of government jobs for the families of those who fought in the 1971 war of independence.
However, when there were protests, it was not limited to the quota system. Sheikh Hasina Wajid, who has ruled Bangladesh for 15 consecutive years, suppressed the opposition and deprived the people of opportunities to raise their voice, due to which the anger of the people was boiling in the form of lava.
Her opponents claimed that Hasina Wajid's government was guilty of corruption, extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances. Apart from this, for the last few weeks, the administration and the supporters of the ruling party, Awami League, have joined hands with the protesters. At least 300 people have been killed in recent protests. The riots led to his ouster from power and the Bangladesh army chief announced that he would form an interim government in the country. Dawn newspaper has repeatedly opposed military intervention in political affairs. Pakistan has also gone through the military era several times, be it directly in the form of martial arts or others. Bangladesh is also well aware of what happens when generals take matters into their own hands. In both countries, such interference harms the democratic process.
It can be said that Sheikh Hasina's missteps, poor governance and growing unpopularity proved to be a golden opportunity for the military, but military intervention and further damage to the democratic process should be strongly condemned.
There is no doubt that such a move has disastrous consequences and affects generations. Hasina Wajid's stifling of opposition voices in Bangladesh meant that political battles that used to be fought in parliament or the ballot box were now fought on the streets. But still the army should not have intervened.
After holding credible elections and returning their rights to the people as soon as possible, the army should go back to the barracks without any hindrance. In a dynamic political environment, if the military does not withdraw soon, Bangladesh will enter a new era of instability.
Hasina Wajid's downfall has lessons for all developing countries, especially South Asian countries with socio-political characteristics similar to Bangladesh. The combination of political repression with economic weakness is a recipe for anxiety among people. A crackdown on the opposition and a slowdown in Bangladesh's economic growth forced the country to approach the IMF.
When all avenues of dissent are closed and authoritarian tactics are adopted to suppress dissenting voices, violent riots occur or non-political forces come into the fray to 'save the country'.
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