The politics of Asia is distinct from Europe; in Asian politics, there is a greater tendency for rebellion, violence, and movements .Recently Student movement have taken place in Bangladesh; let’s analyze this topic from various aspects.
The students had legitimate demands that should have been acknowledged before the protests began. we have seen in the past that some extremist groups use such neutral movements as a shield to further their political interests, resulting in what begins as a peaceful protest ultimately ending in violence.
There is a possibility of this happening again, and historically, student movements have never failed. It’s surprising that such an established party like the Awami League, with a rich history in student activism, doesn’t seem to understand this!
It is the failure of the Awami League leaders and activists that a mental distance has developed between them and the general public, including the student community. There was virtually no connection between the leaders and the people. The behavior of the ministers and senior party leaders was unusual, as if they were completely unaware of the gravity of the situation!
It seems as though government agencies and the intelligence departments are unaware of the actual situation. The statements and actions of the Minister of Bridges & the party’s General Secretary, and the Home Minister indicate failure; it doesn’t appear that they have properly studied the situation. It feels like, until the events spiraled out of control, the Prime Minister’s advisors and surrounding individuals were merely spouting empty words, whether intentionally or unintentionally, providing false reports either knowingly or unknowingly.
It seems that the Prime Minister was not properly informed about whether ordinary students were being killed by police gunfire, or how and why the police were taking specific actions. This indicates a lack of effective government control over the police. There was no media conference held by the police to clarify their stance on issues like how people were being harmed or whether they were using lethal weapons. In the face of numerous rumors spreading on social media, the police’s cyber team remained largely silent.
Meanwhile, the attacks by the student wing of the Bangladesh Awami league party (BSL) and their statements demonstrate a significant lack of political acumen within the current committee of the organization. One cannot thrive in the long run by considering oneself supreme in politics; winning the hearts of the people is essential. Perhaps they don’t intend to stay in power long-term and are only looking to reap short-term benefits. Is this a result of hybrid leadership? That’s worth pondering! This situation highlights the reality of position-trading from the highest levels of the party down to the grassroots. Otherwise, how could such unqualified individuals rise to high positions? If positions are traded for money, the party ceases to be vibrant, and its spirit is lost. Is that what has happened? This is why many dedicated leaders are now upset!
Now it’s the students’ turn:
The quota movement took place, and the students secured their rights at the cost of their blood. The public was outraged that innocent students had to sacrifice their lives for just demands. The allegations were indeed serious.
However, even after the government expressed its commitment to investigate each killing, the purpose of the movement suddenly shifted! It transformed into a one-point agenda: demanding the fall of the government! This change seriously undermined the neutrality and objectives of the movement. At that time, so called student and Student Movement co-ordinator should have focused on ensuring justice for the killings and remained united with patience.
Then the Student movement presented societal and national reform as their goal for the movement of Government fall, yet there is no roadmap for how these reforms will be achieved. Everyone desires positive change, but the real question is how it will happen. Without a clear plan for reform, inciting an agitated public with false and fabricated information to bring about the government’s downfall is certainly questionable and lacks any dignity. During the movement, rumors and falsehoods were propagated on social media, distorting history. Educated individuals leading the Student movement have spread misinformation and given misleading statements. For these reasons, this cannot be called a revolution or an uprising.
A country without a government can spiral into a state of chaos; no intelligent and patriotic student would want to jeopardize the future of their nation in such a way. Shortly after the call for the government’s downfall, there has been a surprising rise of extremist forces in the country. The treatment of the statue of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu, is indeed a matter of great concern.
There is a quote in political science: “A nation that forgets its history cannot survive.” Yet, public attacks have been made on the residence and memorials of the Father of the Nation. The Shaheed Minar, memorials of the Language Movement, and various memorials from the Liberation War have all been destroyed. However, the interim government seems to lack the courage to address these heinous acts. It appears that they have unleashed a force that they cannot control. Alternatively, could it be that they are using this very force, operating in the shadows, to achieve their own objectives through the student populace? The question remains.
Students have celebrated by mocking the underwear of the elderly, committing thefts and looting at the government’s residence, and vandalizing property in the National Parliament. A significant portion of the public is applauding and justifying these actions, as if they are something to be proud of! Let’s assume they had reasons for the movement to overthrow the government. A student may share their victory with pride among the people and their families. However, can a student boast to their family or society about such wild celebrations involving underwear of old women? If any group, society, or family finds joy in this, then it raises serious concerns.
A horrifying state of lawlessness has descended upon the country following the government’s downfall. More than hundreds of Awami activists have been killed, nearly fifty police officers have lost their lives including on duty pregnant cops, and there has been extensive damage to state property nationwide. Due to rampant theft, robbery, and violence, hundreds of lives have been lost in just a few days. With the police administration and state institutions becoming largely ineffective, there is widespread public suffering. Yet, the interim government is evading responsibility for all of this! They are attempting to justify these crimes in various ways. A crime is a crime, and using one crime to justify another is a deeply reprehensible act. If educated students and even Nobel Peace Prize laureates fail to understand this, it is indeed concerning. A lack of self-reflection is a serious problem!
The primary and fundamental issue facing Bangladesh and many developing countries today is corruption. Addressing this problem requires a comprehensive effort. It’s not just about enacting laws and expecting everything to be fixed. We need social movements, ethical education, accountability, and transparency, alongside the enforcement of laws. Therefore, if the spirit of the movement had to be maintained at that moment, it would have been more appropriate to continue the fight against fundamental issues such as bribery and corruption. Had the movement focused on these core problems, it could have persisted on the streets, in social media, and in people’s writings. Students could have remained as pressure groups advocating for the proper enforcement of laws.
When struggles are aimed at securing specific rights, once achieved, the driving force behind them diminishes. This Student movement was not aimed at solving fundamental issues; therefore, it cannot be considered a fundamental movement.
