Why did PM Hasina fail?
Shahinul Khalisdar
Tax Advisor | Business Advisor/ Taxation Expertise/ Enrolled Agent (EA)/Master of Science in Taxation (MST)/ Author
Why did PM Hasina fail?
A question that kept crossing my mind: why did she make such a simple mistake? The "Quota" was an executive order she could have just thrown in the trash, so why did she linger on it? Then I hear the echo, "They planned, but Allah also planned. And Allah is the best of planners" (8:30).
I thoroughly researched to understand what exactly happened in Bangladesh related to the “Anti-Quota” movement. I listened to leaked “orders” and found nothing terrible; everything was as usual. Previously, she skillfully navigated through difficult political situations, using her political and strategic insight to maintain her hold on power. ?The only new thing was “Tui Ke Ami Ke Razakar, Razakar."
During the student " Anti-Quota Movement," Bengalis were caught up in their usual debate about "Zia or Mujib" until the chant "Tui Ke Ami Ke Razakar, Razakar" brought up the issue of Razakars. In my understanding, when Bengalis mentioned "Tui Ke Ami Ke Razakar, Razakar," the descendants of Razakars felt thrilled, which changed the entire atmosphere. It's important to emphasize that Bengalis strongly hate Razakars. They identify themselves as Bir Bengalis and Bir Muktijoddha first and foremost, rather than solely as Muslims. Bengalis hold deep affection for both "Mujib and Zia." This is the essence of their lively debate.
On August 3, 2024, Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman delivered a speech at the Helmet Auditorium in the army headquarters in Dhaka. During his address, he discussed the current security situation in Bangladesh and issued directives to the army officers. According to the available information, General Waker-uz-Zaman's lineage is from Khan Bahadur, which means he is a descendant of loyal kin. He can not betray PM Hasina that is not on his DNA.
?General Waker-Uz-Zaman emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety and security of the people, their possessions, and vital state institutions under all circumstances. He underlined the Bangladesh Army's role as a symbol of the trust of the nation's citizens and reiterated its commitment to serving the people and the state. Additionally, he urged the army officers to remain vigilant against rumors on social media and emphasized the importance of carrying out their duties with utmost honesty and sincerity. The event was attended by senior military officers of the army headquarters, formation commanders from all cantonments, and army officers of all ranks via video teleconference (VTC).
Bangladeshi media reported that General Waker-Uz-Zaman sang two lines from the song "Ural Debo Akashe," originally sung by the Bengali singer Ayub Bachchu nearly 24 years ago. I listened to the video on YouTube several times to grasp the message that General Waker-Uz-Zaman wanted to convey to the junior officers. In my opinion, the junior officers might not comprehend the song because it's from an earlier time. Generation Z may not relate to or understand Generation X. Generation Z is Generation X children. There is definitely a generation gap. Generation Millennials may reach the rank of Major.
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On 5 August 2024, following Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's fleeing from Bangladesh during the 2024 Bangladesh quota reform movement, General Waker announced his intention to form an interim government. General Waker promised that the military would investigate violence against protesters and ensure a peaceful transition of power. Members of the interim government, led by Nobel laureate Dr. Prof Muhammad Yunus, a highly prestigious individual in Bangladesh, was sworn in on the night of 8 August, three days after the resignation of Sheikh Hasina and the dissolution of the Fifth Hasina cabinet. The oath-taking ceremony of Dr. Yunus was overseen by Army Chief General Zaman and attended by political leaders, civil society leaders, generals, and diplomats. When Dr. Yunus was declared head of the interim government of Bangladesh, that moment completely changed the history of Bangladesh, and my century-old political experience turned out to be a 100% failure. The corrupt people were literally looting the country in the name of “Infrastructure Development Project.” I am not sure yet if General Zaman's decision was right or wrong; only time will tell.
?However, one of the best investigative journalists of Bangladeshi origin, Elias Hossain, created a YouTube video. “??????? ????? ???? ????? ????? ??? ????-??????? ????????!”
I watched the video, and I know exactly what was happening in Bangladesh. I had a very friendly conversation with PM Hasina a long time ago. She and I shared many jokes about Bangladeshi Bengali culture. I remember once I told her that Hindu Rajas and Zamindars used to feed the Bengalis Panta Bhat and ruled over them for centuries. She could continue to rule for a millennium as long as the Bengalis worshipped her father.
The majority of the Bangladeshi Bengalis I have spoken with expressed their desire for “Mujib” to be considered their Bengali father. They all agree that Mujib is the "Greatest Bengali of All Time," and without him, they cannot truly be Bengali. However, despite the widespread belief that Mujib spent much of his life in jail fighting for Bengali liberation, in reality, he was never in jail for more than two years in his entire life. Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy always sheltered him. Furthermore, the lawsuits against him were not related to Bengali nationalism but rather to conspiracy, murder, fraud, illegal land grabbing, and rape.
The Bangladesh Police proposed the creation of a specialized unit known as the Police Bureau of Counter-Terrorism in August 2011, which was subsequently forwarded to the Ministry of Public Administration by the Home Ministry in September 2013. In response to an upsurge in terrorist attacks in 2015, the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime Unit of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police was established on February 16, 2016, with 600 personnel. The unit gained attention for its successful raid in Sitakunda, Chittagong, in March 2017, leading to the elimination of two militants, and for providing support to Operation Twilight conducted by the 1st Para-Commando Battalion of the Bangladesh Army on March 25, 2017.
So, it seems she was using tactics similar to those of the Hindu Zamindars. The history was repeating itself in Bangladesh. I am not surprised by any news or information because I am the grandson of a Muslim League founding member and the son of a late Muslim League member. I have heard it all since I was a baby. But, I am surprised by the August 5th, 2024, incident. A history-changing incident.