A New Dawn in Bangladesh | How the Interim Government Plans to Tackle Unrest

For the first time in a decade and half - Bangladesh has a change of guard. What began as student protests in early-July, quickly escalated into violent clashes, and then to a regime change. Bangladesh, today, has a new government. But the interim government is not free of challenges. At first, it will have to put an end to the ongoing domestic unrest and revenge attacks. In the longer-term, it will have to strengthen democracy and democratic institutions and bring in the much-needed constitutional reforms. It would also have to carry on the legacy of rapid socio-economic transformation and address the unemployment question. Most importantly - with Myanmar facing instability, the new regime will have to find a way to maintain good relations with its only stable neighbour - India. They will have to balance between Delhi and Beijing, while keeping extremism under check and ensuring that the minority communities are protected, even as previously proscribed parties and ideologies are mainstreaming.

What triggered this change in Bangladesh? What key challenges are confronting the interim government? What are people expecting from the new regime? How does the government intend to address these challenges, and meet these expectations? Why should neighbours be concerned about the developments in the country? What implications does this new transition have on the India-Bangladesh relationship? Will the new government succeed in ensuring an inclusive economy and polity, and find a sustainable solution to people’s grievances?

Speakers:

Smruti S Pattanaik, Research Fellow, IDSA, India
Riva Ganguly Das, Former High Commissioner to Bangladesh, India
Shahab Enam Khan, Professor, Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh
Smita Sharma, Independent Journalist; Visiting Faculty, Kautilya School of Public Policy, India

Moderator: Sushant Sareen, Senior Fellow, Observer Research Foundation, India

#bangladeshcrisis #bangladeshnewsupdate #bangladeshpolitics #indiabangladeshrelations #india #neighborhood #sushantsareen #diplomacy

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[someenchilada]

It’s amazing how the two people (including the Indian journalist on ground in Bangladesh) and the professor have a completely different view than those who are in India. Respect to the professor and the journalist

[ershadhaque]

Smita sharma, wow, for the very first time i am hearing an honest depiction of what has happened in Bangladesh from an Indian media personnel who came to Bangladesh and saw it all in person. Kudos to you and much respect.

[shahabfaruque]

Prof Shahab’s view is a clear reflection of what the people in Bangladesh thinks about India’s interference in internal affairs of Bangladesh. Indian diplomats & media have wrong understanding of how people of Bangladesh perceive India as the neighbour. All neighbouring countries of India feel the same as Bangladeshi people think. No friendly country of India means there must be some deficiencies in dealing with expectations of the people. Prof Shahab has rightly indicated about a few examples of Indian inference. People of India don’t have any experience in seeing any large scale mass uprising or mass revolution, how the events of protests eventuates & what unfolds. In 53 years of Bangladesh history people have toppled five regimes through (two military overthrow & three people’s movement). Bangladesh people truly like to have mutually beneficial relationships with India. Fresh thinking is required how this can be achieved.

[KaziMamun-ig]

The smartest person in the room is not in the room. SALUTE BD Professor!

[mahamudalrabbi]

Thanks to Dr. Enam khan. You explained the whole scenerio. But Indian audience are so head in the mud that they can't simply understand progressiveness of Bangladeshi people's revolutionary movement.. Revolution or fighting against establishment — they can't understand the concept.

[ApolloGemini]

Why no one discussed “boycott Indian products “ campaign in Bangladesh? How many Indians travel to Bangladesh? It seems all connectivity initiatives are one-sided?

[masumtanna]

Jamat get 8% vote at Bangladesh but BJP ruled India. India or Bangladesh which is really secular?

[ParveenHaque-pr]

Please increase your intake on minority safety in India as well as genocide in Kashmir and Manipur . The democratic world is much concerned about radical extremism terrorist politics in India.

[nurulhoque]

OMG no wonder why India lost all its neighbors if you select this type of ambassador good luck.

[singaporecondoguru]

Riva Ganguli, you understand everything but you don't understand that Awami League ruled the country for the last 15 years without any mandate (I hope you will not ask me for any clarification because I'm sure you know better).

[manoouu]

The girl on Shushant’s right in hijab is judging him HARD. Like she may give him 100 lashes as per sharia. Well said Shushant - a leopard never loses its spots.

[kanaujchaudhuri]

I really appriciate Professor Mr Khan for admitting the fact that Islam specifically in respect of Bangladesh Society is not at all compatable with Secular ethos and values of Modern day and it is according to him is unfair to impose Secularism on Islamic Republic of.Bangladesh. I am afraid that if suited booted English educated people like Mr Khan speaks in this language what liberalism can be expected from the mulla- moulobi class of Bangladesh ??

[arefeenshovon]

the way Shushant is trying to cutoff Prof. Shadab Khan, was really funny. Shushant was absolutely oppressing free speech.

[israfeelshohel]

Shahab Enam Khan, Professor, Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh❤❤❤

[shamszaman]

Dear Mr. Moderator
Manufacturing hatred doesn't make you patriot. 170M population in your right abdomen is NOT A JOKE. Better don't instigate. Spread love instead. You never lose.
Ambassador Das is restricted by the futile indian foreign policy. It is understandable. But being a journalist, it is no sin to be factual.

[Sushanta]

Great discussion indeed. Overall picture in Bangladesh looks opaque and complex. In one side are the students who are committed for a change the way Bangladesh is run, yet having no clue about appropriate alternative. Political parties on board look confused how to gel with the students. As of now things are at an evolving stage and considering its delicate geopolitical importance, it is a matter of great anxiety for the entire south east Asia.

[Abdurpass]

India formed a relationship with a particular party during the last election in Bangladesh. Despite lack of international support, only India recognized the election as valid. This support has led to the formation of a dictatorial government. It's important to note that understanding this situation doesn't require one to be a politician.

[MshahabuddinM]

i would love to Salut Professor Mr. Shahab for his intellectual way of explaining the ongoing situation in Bangladesh.

[dastidarsumit]

Good discussion. Also good to see in Bangladesh academicians are well salaried unlike other places. The location behind profs flat is great.

[ataulkarim]

Miss Das, Your assertion is not correct; Bangladesh was unable to enact deeply democratic laws after Mujib's 1975 assassination.

Rather, Mujibur killed democracy himself on February 24, 1975, when he declared the creation of the Bangladesh Krishak Sramik Awami League, the nation's only recognized political party (BAKSAL). The announcement automatically abolished all other political parties in the country and eventually made the other parties that did not join BAKSAL.

Awami League, whenever in power, tried to establish an autocratic system and always had a fear of competing in elections. They had never been for the people.