Bangladesh Protest: Why is Bangladesh burning, political war in Dhaka against Sheikh Hasina government

There is a bloody fight going on in Bangladesh regarding the elections. Activists of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party created such a ruckus in the capital Dhaka that the whole city started burning. About fifty vehicles were burnt. More than 100 vehicles were vandalised. The pictures of Gadar that have come to the fore are frightening. Thousands of supporters of Bangladesh’s opposition have taken to the streets. The protesters are calling for Sheikh Hasina’s resignation and demanding that a caretaker government oversee the next election. The question is, why did this incident happen? Who is behind this?

free and fair elections

The opposition says it is concerned about free and fair elections. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to return to power for a fourth consecutive term, while the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party, led by ailing former prime minister Khaleda Zia, is making its mightiest effort to oust Hasina from office. Bangladesh is a parliamentary democracy with a history of violence dating back to 1991, when Hasina and Zia jointly ousted the then dictator HM Ershad from office.

arch rival Jia and Haseena

Zia became Prime Minister three times, twice for full five years and then for a short time. Hasina became prime minister in 1996 and returned to power in 2008. She has remained in office ever since. Hasina says the elections should be under the supervision of her government as specified in the constitution, but Zia’s party and its allies say Hasina to allow the installation of a non-party caretaker government to ensure free and fair voting. will have to step down. Zia, whose party accused Hasina of vote-rigging in 2018, is currently under effective house arrest after pleading guilty to corruption charges. Al Jazeera quoted BNP general secretary Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir as saying “there is no scope for a fair election under this government”. Activist Mizanur Rahman speaking at an opposition rally said we want fair elections. Today we just This is what we demand that the right to vote should be restored and exercise that right.

Restoration of democracy in Bangladesh

BNP’s one point demand is restoration of democracy in Bangladesh… This can only be achieved through free and fair elections, which is not possible under the present regime. Senior BNP leader Abdul Moin Khan told Reuters that this government must resign and make way for free and fair elections under an interim government, only through this we can restore people’s government in Bangladesh.

inflation at its peak

The opposition is also protesting against the rising inflation. Amid growing anger, the main opposition party has held large protest rallies in recent months, drawing thousands of supporters. Every important institution of the country has been destroyed and the rights of the people have been taken away. Alamgir told Al Jazeera that the increase in the prices of every essential commodity has made people’s lives miserable. Rahman said the prices of commodities…as well as the situation of electricity and gas are out of control. Economic development is meaningless if we cannot provide services to the people.