The concept of "De-Baathification," when applied to Bangladesh, symbolises the systematic removal or suppression of Awami League values—principles historically rooted in secularism, social justice, and humanism within the country’s political landscape. Though "De-Baathification" originally stems from the Iraqi context, metaphorically, it describes efforts to dismantle the ideological foundation that the Awami League built in Bangladesh. Despite the Awami League’s drift towards authoritarianism under Sheikh Hasina, the core values it once championed remain crucial for safeguarding secularism and humanism in Bangladesh.
While we must confront the atrocities that have occurred in Bangladesh, such as enforced disappearances, the looting of banks, and other egregious crimes, these issues cannot be swept aside. Accountability is paramount. The tragic death of over 600 students during the Student Quota Movement casts a dark shadow on Bangladesh’s human rights record, and it remains a painful stain on Sheikh Hasina’s regime, even rattling her staunchest supporters. Last year, a survey by the International Republican Institute (IRI) revealed that 70% of Bangladeshis still approved of Sheikh Hasina, yet her abrupt flight from the country in a military helicopter underscores her fall from grace.
In the quest for political reform, movements like the Student Quota Movement face a significant dilemma: rejecting the Awami League entirely because of Hasina’s authoritarian tendencies risks undermining the very foundation of Bangladesh’s pluralism, secularism, and dedication to human rights. A nuanced approach is necessary.
The Importance of Distinguishing Awami League Values from Authoritarianism
As the vanguard of Bangladesh’s independence, the Awami League has historically been the torchbearer for secularism and Bengali nationalism. Its early ideology emphasised inclusivity, social justice, and the vision of a pluralistic society that firmly rejected religious extremism. These ideals became the cornerstone of Bangladesh’s constitution after 1971, embedding principles of equality, human rights, and secular governance.
However, under Sheikh Hasina’s leadership, the Awami League has veered into authoritarianism, characterised by accusations of electoral manipulation, suppression of dissent, and an ever-narrowing space for free expression. This authoritarian shift has fuelled disillusionment, especially among progressive groups such as the Student Quota Movement, who now view the former government and the Awami League as a threat to democratic institutions. BaKSAL 2.0 was used by critics of Hasina to highlight complete control of the body politic. A mistake her father made.
Despite this, it’s crucial to differentiate between the current authoritarianism under Hasina’s rule and the foundational values the Awami League once upheld. The legacy of secularism and humanism that the party championed is not synonymous with the present-day authoritarian practices. Abandoning these values in response to current leadership risks discarding Bangladesh’s commitment to a secular, inclusive society—precisely the bulwark needed to counter growing religious extremism and protect human rights.
Secularism as a Safeguard Against Religious Fundamentalism
For decades, the Awami League has stood as the defender of secularism in Bangladesh, advocating for the separation of religion from state policy. In a nation rich in religious diversity, secularism is vital to ensure that no single religious group—whether Hindu, Muslim, Christian, or Buddhist—dominates the political landscape or imposes its values on others.
The Student Quota Movement, while justifiably critical of the authoritarianism of the current Awami League leadership, must recognise that secularism remains under siege in Bangladesh. Efforts to weaken or dismantle secular forces could lead to a resurgence of religious nationalism, threatening the very pluralistic society envisioned during the country’s independence movement.
Religious fundamentalism, driven by factions such as Jamaat-e-Islami, has long sought to establish an Islamic state in Bangladesh, a move that would trample minority rights and severely limit freedoms for those who do not conform to their interpretation of Islam. Although Sheikh Hasina’s leadership has compromised the Awami League’s commitment to secularism, the party still serves as a critical defence against these forces. Wholesale rejection of the Awami League could unintentionally embolden conservative, religiously motivated movements, imperilling secularism and democracy alike.
Muhammad Yunus, the Chief of the Interim Administration, promoted Hefazat-e-Islam's Vice President A F M Khalid Hossain to the Ministry of Religious Affairs which is deeply troubling. Hefazat is notorious for its calls for repressive blasphemy laws, death sentences for defaming Islam, and the curtailing of personal freedoms. Their demands for segregated gender interactions, censorship of cultural expression, and the imposition of the hijab represent a stark challenge to Bangladesh’s pluralistic identity. Such developments underscore the urgency of defending secularism. Hefazat have also called for Ahmadis sect to be criminalised and called, "non-Muslim".
The Risk of Losing Humanist Values
The Awami League’s founding values underscore social justice, equality, and human dignity—cornerstones of humanism. After the Liberation War, these values helped foster policies promoting women’s rights, education, healthcare, and social welfare. Embedded in the country’s post-independence identity, these humanist principles have played a central role in shaping the rights and protections Bangladeshi citizens enjoy today.
Although the authoritarian shift in the Awami League’s leadership has strained its commitment to these values—marked by accusations of human rights abuses, media restrictions, and attacks on opposition—rejecting the party’s humanist legacy would undermine decades of social progress. For the Student Quota Movement to champion democracy and reform effectively, it must not abandon the humanist values essential to the nation’s future.
A more strategic approach would be to advocate for a return to the Awami League’s founding values rather than rejecting the party wholesale. By restoring the humanist ideals that underpin Bangladesh’s democratic and social framework, the movement can address the political excesses of the current leadership without weakening the moral foundation necessary to promote human rights and social justice.
A Balanced Approach to Reform
While Sheikh Hasina’s authoritarianism deserves strong criticism, dismantling the entire ideological framework of the Awami League is not the solution. The Student Quota Movement should aim for a reform that resurrects the secular, humanist, and democratic values of the party, rather than aligning itself with movements that oppose these principles altogether. It is understandable that student leaders, who endured years of violent oppression from the Awami League’s student front, have labelled the parent political party as fascist.
However, disregarding the Awami League’s contributions to secularism could inadvertently strengthen religiously motivated political forces that show little regard for the inclusive, progressive society Bangladesh aspires to be. Reformers must strike a delicate balance between their desire for democratic change and the need to preserve the values that have historically protected Bangladesh’s pluralistic identity.
Bangladesh’s political landscape has long oscillated between parties that, while ideologically different, have demonstrated authoritarian tendencies in practice. As the nation approaches elections, these tendencies will become more pronounced. Opposition parties will have to reform. But Reform should focus not on erasing one party’s values but on addressing the systemic issues that permit authoritarianism across the political spectrum. Secularism, humanism, and democracy must form the pillars of any meaningful reform.
The Role of the Student Quota Movement
As future leaders, the Student Quota Movement holds the potential to shape Bangladesh’s democratic future. However, the movement must be careful not to discard the very values that have formed the foundation of a pluralistic, inclusive society. While seeking accountability and an end to authoritarianism, the movement should promote a revival of the Awami League’s secular and humanist values without endorsing the party.
Sheikh Hasina’s government may be critiqued for its democratic backsliding, but its contributions to secularism and social justice cannot be ignored or erased. The Student Quota Movement should resist political polarisation and recognise that a reformed Bangladesh requires both a defence of secular identity and an expansion of democratic freedoms.
Navigating the Complex Legacy of the Awami League
Ultimately, "De-Baathification" in Bangladesh, as the removal of Awami League values, would endanger the very principles of secularism and humanism that form the bedrock of the nation’s identity. While Sheikh Hasina’s authoritarianism is indeed a threat to democracy, an outright rejection of the Awami League’s values risks undoing Bangladesh’s hard-won commitments to pluralism, social justice, and human rights. In its quest for reform, the Student Quota Movement should seek to restore these core values, rather than discarding them for short-term political gain. Only through this balanced approach can Bangladesh safeguard its secular, humanist identity while building a more democratic future.
Yesterday, Udichi, one of the largest cultural organisation in Bangladesh organised a national protest in response to calls by Islamists to change the outlook of the nation. The protesters sung Amar Sonar Bangla, the Bangladesh national anthem, at a same time across the country in response to calls to ban it. The protesters also hoisted the national flag and sang Bangladeshi and patriotic songs. The interim government must be careful in promoting radical voices. Radical Islamists are being emboldened. Attacks on minorities are increasing despite Yunus denials. He needs to address it now before it engulfs him. In Khulna, we saw the lynching of a Hindu teenager just days ago by a 3000+ mob. One of the attackers is a Taliban and al-Qaeda supporter. Bangladesh simply skipped over the horrific incident despite the evidence being splashed across social media. A callous move with dangerous implications for the future of Bangladesh. No press release condemning the incident from the interim government. The Monsoon Revolution will come undone quickly if radicalism is allowed to go unchecked. Patriotic Bangladeshis first instinct shouldn't be to defend Yunus or these incidents. Their first instinct should be to stand united to stop these incidents from being repeated. A Golden Bangladesh is still possible. But suppressing voices who care about Bangladesh should not be a national priority.
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