Building on ruins

The fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government offers hope for a new political culture rooted in democratic values and the desire for genuine representation. However, the path forward requires much more than holding elections or restoring political processes. Healing the deep wounds left by years of authoritarian rule and a longer history of unaddressed grievances must be at the forefront of the national agenda.

As the country reflects on the legacy of Hasina’s rule, more details are emerging about the covert and repressive operations that defined her regime. Disturbing accounts of a secret detention centre, where torture and isolation was deployed to stifle dissent, are now coming to light. These revelations expose the breadth of the Awami League government’s grip on the security apparatus of the state and showcase a network of coercive control that permeated through society.

Such systemic repression has left deep scars on Bangladesh’s collective psyche. The pervasive climate of fear, distrust, and vulnerability has fractured the very foundations of civil society. When state power is weaponised against the people it is meant to serve, it weakens the bonds of trust that hold a society together.

Moreover, in a system where loyalty to the regime matters more than justice, process, or fairness, citizens often feel alienated and unsure of their place. In this context, survival often trumps participation, as dissent became synonymous with danger. Many traded their voices for silence and safety, while those who dared to challenge the regime often faced severe consequences. Families of those who resisted were left to endure the weight of uncertainty and fear.

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The Awami League, once a beacon of liberation under Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, transformed into an institution synonymous with oppression under Hasina. Rahman’s legacy as the hero of Bangladesh’s independence became a distorted tool, manipulated to justify authoritarian excesses. The party that had fought against domination gradually came to resemble the forces it once opposed, using Rahman’s image as a shield to silence opposition and cement its control.

Now, an interim government is tasked with the formidable challenge of steering Bangladesh through this turbulent period. Restoring law and order amidst widespread political violence is just one of the many pressing concerns. Equally important is ensuring the continuation of public services, addressing economic instability, and safeguarding social cohesion in the face of growing tensions, particularly with respect to minority rights. But perhaps most crucially, this government must prepare the country for free and fair elections that can lay the foundation for a stable democratic future.

However, the political landscape in Bangladesh remains deeply fractured. Years of repression under Hasina have entrenched seemingly irreconcilable divisions between political factions and eroded public trust in state institutions. The judiciary, civil service, and security forces— all tainted by political interference—must be depoliticised and restored to their roles as neutral guardians of justice and governance. This task is both urgent and formidable, but without it, any political transition remains fragile, susceptible to the same forces that have plagued Bangladesh’s past.

 

Stabilising the country, therefore, requires more than just restoring order. It demands a profound rebuilding of the foundations of good governance, a commitment to transparency, and the fostering of a political culture where dialogue, political engagement, and reconciliation can happen without fear. 

Yet, the challenges inherent in this process are compounded by a population that has grown increasingly weary with the country’s major political parties. Corruption, political infighting, and broken promises have left many sceptical of the motives and capabilities of the opposition alternatives to the Awami League.

To begin the difficult journey towards national reconciliation, it is essential to fully recognise the harm caused by Hasina’s rule. Rebuilding a democratic future for Bangladesh will require more than just a change in leadership. It will necessitate restoring the integrity of state institutions, addressing the deeper fractures in society through truth-telling and accountability, and fostering a culture of democratic engagement and civic trust – values that have been long suppressed by authoritarian rule.

Indeed, reconciliation and political reform are not separate from the democratic process but essential to it. Otherwise, democratic engagement risks being superficial and short-lived. Conducting elections without addressing the deeper fractures in society may create the illusion of progress, but unresolved grievances and a lack of justice will continue to undermine trust in the political system.

Nevertheless, political polarisation in Bangladesh complicates a consensus-based approach to reconciliation and reform. Ongoing violence and economic hardships also make the focus on long-term healing challenging amidst pressing concerns. Balancing immediate and longer-term issues for the current government remains a testing task. But despite these obstacles, addressing them together remains crucial for achieving meaningful and enduring progress for democracy in Bangladesh.

Imran Ahmed is a research fellow at the Institute of South Asian Studies, National University of Singapore. He holds a PhD from the University of New England, and co-edited the volume Religion, Extremism and Violence (Palgrave Macmillan, 2022).

This article was issued by the Toda Peace Institute and is being republished from the original with their permission.