The crisis born out of shrinking of democracy

"Government of the people, by the people, for the people"—this famous definition of democracy was articulated by Abraham Lincoln in his Gettysburg Address on November 19, 1863, in Pennsylvania. This definition is widely recognized. The fundamental principles of democracy can be precisely stated as respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, the conduct of free and fair elections, a pluralistic system of political parties and organizations, separation of powers, and independence of governing institutions.

Equality, liberty, and fraternity are the core mantras of democracy. These elements symbolize the fundamental concepts of democracy, which are based on the principles of basic human rights, equal opportunities, and mutual compassion. However, in Bangladesh, democracy has frequently deviated from these principles, with the most significant deviations occurring during the fallen Awami League government’s tenure. Throughout its nearly 16-year-long rule, political equality was virtually nonexistent, while political and social freedoms were increasingly curtailed, causing democracy to falter.

The core of democracy lies in elections. Political scientists regard elections as the "lifeblood of democracy." However, elections must be free, fair, and transparent. Electoral fraud or manipulation drives a stake through the heart of democratic governance. Furthermore, democracy necessitates prioritizing public opinion, ensuring freedom of expression, maintaining a strong opposition in parliament, establishing independent and robust institutions, and ensuring accountability of security forces to the people. If these principles are ignored, public discontent can arise, ultimately harming democracy and causing political parties or governments to suffer the consequences.

Now, let’s examine the downfall of the once-powerful Awami League, which ruled for almost 16 consecutive years. Whether analyzed deeply or superficially, it is evident that the previous Awami League government consistently disregarded democratic principles, leading to a shrinking democratic space and creating multiple crises. As a result, the Awami League not only lost power but also saw its leaders and activists go into hiding.

Observers believe that continuous interference with freedom of speech, indifference to protecting citizens' rights, obstructing the normal course of law, failing to ensure good governance, suppressing political parties, and attempting to dictate the political landscape through unilateral decisions were among the key reasons for the Awami League’s downfall.

Democracy thrives on multiple political forces and active public participation. In any democratic country, a government must coexist with a strong opposition party that holds it accountable, points out its mistakes, and exerts pressure to correct its course when necessary. Political strategy requires listening to both supporters and critics. In diplomacy, a ruling party must maintain an environment where allies feel secure while avoiding turning opponents into sworn enemies. Political discourse inevitably includes debate, criticism, and rivalry, yet space for dialogue and cooperation must always be preserved to allow democracy to flourish.

However, the Awami League, a historically significant party, repeatedly ignored these principles. Instead of fostering cooperation, it reacted aggressively to the activities of other political entities. During its tenure, the Awami League seemed to forget that at most, 37-40% of the country’s population supported it, while the remaining 60-63% stood in opposition. Even though these opposition voters supported different parties, they remained united in their goal of defeating the Awami League.

Analyses suggest that the Awami League made every effort to eliminate the BNP as a major political force, employing a range of tactics from public statements to legal action, arrests, and repression of BNP activists. This led to widespread public resentment. Additionally, just before its downfall, the government made the strategic mistake of banning Jamaat-e-Islami, which further alienated various political groups. This maneuver backfired, leaving the Awami League in a politically vulnerable position, which its opponents successfully exploited.

Not only that, but nearly all parties within the 14-party alliance, as well as the Jatiya Party within the Grand Alliance, were marginalized. Despite their continued association with the government, leaders of the 14-party coalition were repeatedly sidelined. Meanwhile, the Jatiya Party was subjected to various political maneuvers, both during the lifetime of its founder, Hussain Muhammad Ershad, and after his demise. The Awami League attempted to divide the Jatiya Party for political gain but failed to position it as an effective opposition force against the BNP in either parliament or the streets.

Observers argue that the Awami League’s biggest mistake was consistently manipulating electoral processes to secure victory. Had it maintained even a minimal level of inclusive politics, this situation would not have arisen. Instead, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her party’s leadership became increasingly focused on retaining power at any cost, leading to their downfall. Conducting competitive and participatory elections could have prevented this crisis.

Analysts believe that the Awami League’s leaders, driven by overconfidence, attempted to shape political culture according to their own vision, exacerbating the crisis. This overreach became so extreme that in some elections, the party struggled to find candidates, forcing its leaders to run as independent candidates. This not only triggered public backlash but also fueled discontent within the party’s own ranks. As a result, grassroots activists and sidelined leaders lacked the motivation or courage to resist even during moments of extreme adversity.

When Sheikh Hasina returned to Bangladesh from exile on May 17, 1981, she declared her commitment to ensuring people’s right to vote and access to food. She fought for a long time to achieve these goals. She exposed electoral fraud under the BNP government and advocated for fair elections with transparent ballot boxes. However, when she later resorted to manipulated elections and ignored major opposition parties, the public did not accept it favorably.

The young generation, having been denied their voting rights in consecutive elections, became increasingly antagonistic toward the Awami League. The lack of a legitimate electoral process generated immense public outrage. Meanwhile, skyrocketing inflation made daily life unbearable for ordinary citizens. Instead of addressing these concerns, the government attempted to pacify people with impractical cooking tips and lifestyle advice, which only deepened public dissatisfaction.

Ultimately, successive election victories detached the Awami League’s leadership from reality. Despite enjoying unwavering loyalty from party activists, Sheikh Hasina gradually distanced herself from the grassroots. Several national and local elections contributed to this alienation.

Political analysts argue that Sheikh Hasina made a critical mistake in attempting to redefine democracy according to her own terms. By dismissing widely accepted democratic principles and promoting what she called "developmental democracy," she sought to justify her political stance by highlighting infrastructural and economic progress. However, this approach distracted her from the essential responsibilities of upholding the rule of law and ensuring good governance. She overlooked the fact that alongside economic development, political stability and a culture of coexistence are crucial for sustainable governance. This miscalculation ultimately led to her political downfall.

(To be continued...)