It was the 16th of July 2024, when news made headlines about a violent clash in Gopalgang city of Bangladesh. It is the native city and stronghold of the former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajid, and her late father, former Prime Minister Mujib-ur-Rehman. Awami League has immense presence in the area. The violence started when supporters of Awami League attacked a procession of National Citizen Party (NCP). It was part of a long rally started for the celebration of the so-called July Revolution 2024. Last year, in July 2024, the protest and resistance of students led by the movement toppled the government of Sheikh Hasina Wajid. The Awami League and its leaders had to go into exile. After the takeover of Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus, hopes for peace revived, but then many incidents of violence occurred in the previous year. What this situation now holds for the political situation, the Awami League, and the future of democracy in Bangladesh is a big question mark.
Provocation by National Citizen Party (NCP):
The procession led by activists of the National Citizen party is claimed to be peaceful. The students and members of the party were only celebrating the success of the July Revolution of 2024.
But it is also obvious that National Citizen Party (NCP) and its leaders were aware of the importance of Gopal Ganj for Awami League and its supporters. Then why did they choose this city? On one hand, it can be considered as a provocation on the part of National Citizen Party (NCP). It was the rally of National Citizen Party (NCP) which led to violent clashes. This also shows political dissent in the country. The major political parties like National Citizen Party (NCP), Awami League and others non-constitutional way on the other hand, it is safe to say that it is political right of National Citizen party NCP to hold rallies and procession, but GopalGanj is a stronghold of Awami league so, this rally and clashes are a manifestation of widely present political disagreement in the country.
Investigations and Curfew:
Besides, after the clashes, the government enforced a curfew in the area. The clashes and their aftermaths led to panic and stress in the city. The government has announced that investigations would be conducted in the GopalGanj clashes. But whether those investigations would be free and impartial is another cause of concern. Human rights organizations like HRFB have already demanded fair investigations from the government. These institutions have claimed that the state has denied responsibility for using brutal force. Post-mortem is a specific case that is also denied to a family. But the government rejects these claims; it states that impartial investigations would be conducted. Thus, investigations in this case will help to clear many clouds.
Home presence of the party in exile:
Moreover, the presence of Awami League in GopalGanj cannot be ignored. But Awami League’s influence is not limited only to this city. It still has a good presence in Bangladesh. Thousands of people follow it. It is because this party has ruled for decades in the country. It cannot be eliminated abruptly. Although the party leaders are in exile, thousands of followers of Awami League are present in the country. Hence, the government and other political parties should acknowledge the fact that Awami League is still present in the hearts and minds of a good number of Bangladeshis.
Current Standing Of Democracy In Bangladesh:
Similarly, these violent clashes do not bode well for the future of democracy in the country. Bangladesh has already lost 25 spots in the Global Democracy Index of 2024. Now it ranks 100 out of 167 countries. The use of force by law enforcement agencies, which resulted in the killing of around 5 people, is also harmful for democracy. The force also caused dozens of injuries. This all shows severe human rights violations in a democratic country. The state was unable to control the situation without the use of force. The National Citizen party (NCP) activists have also stated that the state was unable to provide them with the required safety and support. State denies the use of lethal weapons, but the use of force cannot be denied in this era of social media.
There are also instances of suppression of minorities by the current interim government in the previous year. So, all these events show the derailing of democracy and human rights violations on the part of the government.
Strategic Insights:
Now the question is how these issues can be resolved. The severity can be lessened by following some prudent measures. They include responsibility on the part of all political parties. These should be a consensus among all the stakeholders and key leaders. The interim government should provide for the safety of the citizens. Free and fair elections must be conducted promptly. All these measures would help the country to grow and witness a strong democracy.
The recent violent clashes in GopalGanj highlight many factors. They include the political disagreements in the country, presence of political parties that are recently in exile, and the deteriorating state of democracy and human rights. But there is always a home present in such circumstances. Bangladesh is no exception to it. The stakeholders should follow wise measures like taking responsibility, creating consensus, and conducting free and fair elections. All these steps can lead the country in the right direction.
