Political Science · Ch 3 — Contemporary South Asia
Democracy in Bangladesh
Democracy in Bangladesh
Bangladesh’s journey to democracy is a story of struggle against domination, military rule, and the eventual establishment of multi-party elections. The country was born out of a war for independence, and its political path since then has been marked by both hope and setbacks.
From Partition to Independence (1947–1971)
Before 1947, the region that is now Bangladesh was part of British India’s Bengal and Assam. When India was partitioned, it became East Pakistan, a wing of the newly created Pakistan. From the very beginning, the people of East Pakistan resented the domination of West Pakistan, which controlled the country’s political and military power.
The first major grievance was the imposition of Urdu as the sole national language, even though the majority of East Pakistanis spoke Bengali. Protests soon erupted, demanding:
- Fair treatment for Bengali culture and language.
- Proper representation in administration and a fair share in political power.
The leader of this movement was Sheikh Mujib-ur Rahman, who led the Awami League. He demanded autonomy (self-rule) for the eastern region. In the 1970 elections held for the whole of Pakistan, the Awami League won all seats in East Pakistan and secured a majority in the proposed constituent assembly for the entire country. This meant Sheikh Mujib was legally entitled to form the government.
However, the West Pakistani leadership refused to convene the assembly. Sheikh Mujib was arrested. Under the military rule of General Yahya Khan, the Pakistani army launched a brutal crackdown to suppress the Bengali movement. Thousands were killed, leading to a massive refugee crisis in India.
India supported the demand for independence, providing financial and military help. This led to the India-Pakistan war of December 1971, which ended with the surrender of Pakistani forces in East Pakistan. Bangladesh was born as an independent country.
The Early Years: From Democracy to Dictatorship (1972–1975)
Bangladesh drafted its own constitution, declaring faith in three principles: secularism, democracy, and socialism. For a brief period, it seemed the new nation would follow a democratic path.
But in 1975, Sheikh Mujib amended the constitution to shift from a parliamentary system (where the Prime Minister is the head of government) to a presidential system (where the President holds most power). He also abolished all political parties except his own, the Awami League. This concentration of power created deep conflicts and tensions.
In a tragic turn, Sheikh Mujib was assassinated in a military uprising in August 1975.
Military Rule and the Return of Democracy (1975–1991)
After Mujib’s death, the country entered a period of military rule:
- Ziaur Rahman took over, formed his own Bangladesh National Party (BNP), and won elections in 1979. He was later assassinated.
- Lt Gen H. M. Ershad then led another military takeover.
The people of Bangladesh, especially students, rose in strong support of the demand for democracy. Mass protests forced Ershad to allow limited political activity. He was later elected as President for five years, but continued public pressure made him step down in 1990.
Democracy Since 1991 …
The figure is a photograph of a mural painted on a wall at Jahangirnagar University in Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh. The mural commemorates Noor Hossain, a student activist who was shot dead by police during pro-democracy protests against the military ruler General H. M. Ershad in 1987. The central image shows Hossain’s body, painted with the words “Let Democracy be Freed” on his back — a direct, defiant message against authoritarian rule. The mural is a public memorial, placed on a university campus that was a hub of student-led agitation during the 1980s.
This image connects directly to the textbook’s account of Bangladesh’s struggle for democracy after independence. The text describes how, following the assassination of Sheikh Mujib in 1975, the country experienced a cycle of military rule under Ziaur Rahman and then Ershad. The mural captures the moment when mass protests — especially by students — forced Ershad to step down in 1990. The phrase painted on Hossain’s back is not just a personal epitaph; it is a slogan that summarises the central demand of the entire movement. The photograph thus serves as a visual anchor for the idea that democracy in Bangladesh was won through sacrifice and sustained popular pressure, not thro …
The mural is painted on a wall at Jahangirnagar University in Savar, near Dhaka, Bangladesh. It is a memorial to Noor Hossain, a student activist who was shot dead by police during the 1987 pro-democracy protests against the military ruler General H. M. Ershad. The central figure in the mural is Noor Hossain himself, shown from behind. Painted across his back, in large letters, is the slogan: “Let Democracy be Freed” — a deliberate misspelling that captures the raw, urgent voice of the protest movement.
The image is not just a portrait; it is a political statement. The placement of the slogan on his back suggests that he was walking away from the viewer, moving forward into the protest, carrying the demand for democracy literally on his body. The mural is set against a background that evokes the university campus and the streets of Dhaka during the 1987 uprising. The photo credit goes to Shahidul Alam of Drik Picture Library, a well-known Bangladeshi photographer who documented the democracy movement. …