(Note: This is an anonymous submission that has been edited by Ghostnet)
Amid the ongoing mass protests in Bangladesh, a debate is raging about whether the movement should remain apolitical or embrace political affiliations. Some well-meaning individuals argue that political involvement is the root of our problems and that keeping the protest "pure" and free of political influence is essential. However, this approach often unwittingly aids the very autocrats the protest seeks to challenge.
The Cost of Staying Apolitical
Since the protest began on July 17, it has seen over 200 deaths, 1,500 injuries, and 8,000 arrests, with many detained during night raids. The government-imposed internet blackout may have temporarily halted the protest but left a lasting impact on the online community. Once the internet was partially restored, the protest's momentum shifted online. However, many people, especially those from poorer households who cannot afford VPN services, are still in the dark.
The educated urban middle class must continue the fight online. Unfortunately, some focus on maintaining an apolitical stance, fearing that political parties like BNP-Jamaat might exploit the protest for their gain. But who are we trying to please with this apolitical stance?
Our republic has been dismantled by Hasina and her cronies into a totalitarian regime. Restoring the republic is about rebuilding trust in a system that manages diverse and often opposing interests.
The real issue is not the presence of politics but its absence in our lives for the past 15 years. We need a revival and reformation of our political system. The call to avoid politics in protests is not new; it has plagued every major movement since 2013. Imagine the Awami League as an examining body, with some volunteers acting as invigilators, ensuring citizen protesters demonstrate their grievances without political help. This situation is ironic, as some of these volunteers were barely toddlers when BNP was last in power.
In no other country are protesters, facing lethal force, imprisonment, and torture, expected to continually prove their commitment to staying apolitical. This fixation is dangerous and naive.
While some people genuinely want to maintain the movement's popularity among all demographics, they must realize that critics will always find faults. Hasina, with all her power, uses any means necessary to suppress dissent, but protesters are expected to stay apolitical despite facing threats.
Why No Protest Can Stay Apolitical
In the context of the current protests in Bangladesh, it is unrealistic to expect the movement to remain apolitical. The very issues that have led to the protests—police brutality, corruption, lack of democratic freedoms—are inherently political. Addressing these grievances requires political solutions and systemic changes that cannot be achieved without engaging in politics.
The government’s response to the protests, including violence, arrests, and internet blackouts, is deeply political. The actions taken by the authorities are meant to maintain their grip on power and suppress dissent, which is a political objective. Protesting against such actions is, by nature, a political act.
Historically, significant social changes have rarely been achieved without political involvement.
From the civil rights movements to anti-apartheid struggles, political engagement has been a crucial component. Expecting the Bangladeshi protests to be an exception undermines the importance of political action in achieving justice and reform.
Political protests attract international attention and support, which can be crucial for their success. Remaining apolitical limits the scope of the movement and reduces the pressure on the government from global actors who could influence change. Politics empowers people by giving them a voice and a platform to express their demands. By embracing political aspects, the protest can mobilize a broader base of support, including opposition parties, civil society organizations, and international human rights groups, which can help amplify their cause.
Playing Devil’s Advocate
Some fear that the BNP, weakened and struggling, might exploit the protest for its own gain. While it's true that the BNP has a history of political maneuvering, its current state makes it unlikely to pose a significant threat of exploitation.
The BNP, once a major political force, has been severely weakened over the past decade. In the 2018 national election, the BNP secured only seven seats out of 300, a far cry from its previous dominance. The party's leader, Khaleda Zia, is imprisoned on corruption charges, and her son, Tarique Rahman, lives in exile in London, facing a life sentence in absentia for his involvement in a 2004 assassination attempt on Sheikh Hasina.
With most of its leaders either jailed, exiled, or in hiding, the BNP lacks the organizational strength to effectively exploit the current protest.
Furthermore, the party has failed to remain relevant in recent years, missing key opportunities to align itself with significant youth mobilizations and failing to present a coherent political agenda.
However, dismissing the BNP entirely would be short-sighted. Despite its weakened state, the BNP still represents a segment of the population disillusioned with the current regime. While direct collaboration may not be advisable, protesters should remain open to the possibility of aligning with various opposition forces to strengthen their movement, all while maintaining vigilance to prevent any single party from hijacking their cause.
It is important to acknowledge that we turned a blind eye to the repression of BNP leaders and supporters because we thought they were fair game.
For years, the Awami League government has systematically targeted its opponents, using violence, arbitrary arrests, and intimidation to suppress dissent. This crackdown has not been limited to the BNP but has affected various political and civil society groups.
The Human Rights Watch report highlights the extent of the repression: almost 10,000 opposition activists were arrested since a planned rally by the BNP on October 28, 2023 ahead of the 2024 general elections. The government claimed to commit to free and fair elections while simultaneously filling prisons with political opponents.
This pattern of repression is not new, but we have only started to notice and care because it now affects demographics and people we relate to or support.
Security forces have been responsible for using excessive force, mass arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, torture, and extrajudicial killings. This brutal suppression has been a hallmark of the Awami League's strategy to maintain power. The BNP and other opposition groups have faced systematic violence, often in coordination with Awami League supporters.
Despite this, the BNP's past failures and current weaknesses make it unlikely to exploit the protest significantly. However, we must remain vigilant and open to strategic alliances that can help achieve the movement's goals without letting any single party dominate or hijack the cause.
A Call for Unity and Focus
The goal of the student protests in Bangladesh should not be political but to succeed and achieve meaningful, tangible change. This means focusing on the core issues that sparked the protests in the first place: demanding fair treatment, justice, and accountability from those in power. The energy and passion driving the protests should not be diluted by internal divisions or the fear of political labels.
The protest, baptized in blood, needs the support of all citizens, regardless of political affiliation. The educated urban middle class, with access to online platforms, has a crucial role in keeping the momentum alive. Instead of arguing over the political implications, they should amplify the voices of those on the front lines and ensure that the world hears their demands for justice.
The citizens have no obligation to protect their image when the ruler has no interest in restoring trust. Instead, they should focus on the tangible goals of the protest: ending police brutality, ensuring fair treatment for all citizens, and restoring a democratic system that represents the people's will. By uniting around these common goals, the movement can achieve the meaningful change it seeks.
As the protests continue, it is essential to remember that the fight is not against politics but against the misuse of power. By staying focused on their goals and refusing to be distracted by divisive debates, the protesters can create a better future for Bangladesh. The success of the movement lies in its ability to bring about real, lasting change, not in maintaining an apolitical image.
