# *Detailed SUMMARY of the article "Turmoil in Bangladesh" by Syed Mohammad Ali, Published in Tribune on June 6th, 2025:* The article examines *Bangladesh's* political instability since its independence, despite impressive economic and human development achievements. After separating from *Pakistan*, *Bangladesh* aspired to become a *secular and pluralistic democracy* but has remained plagued by *recurrent political violence*. The country's political landscape has been dominated by bitter rivalry between the *Awami League* and *Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)*. The turmoil began with the *assassination of Sheikh Mujeeb-ur-Rehman* and many family members in a *bloody coup in 1975*, just a few years after the *Awami League* came to power. This set the stage for deep-seated rivalry with the *BNP*, formed by *Zia-ur-Rahman*. *Zia-ur-Rahman* was also *assassinated in 1981* by *Awami League sympathizers* for his alleged role in *Mujeeb's murder*. The military ruled for almost *nine years* until the early *1990s*, when *BNP* (led by *Zia-ur-Rahman's widow Khalida Zia*) and *Awami League* (led by *Sheikh Mujeeb-ur-Rahman's daughter Sheikh Hasina*) began alternating in government. *Khaleda Zia* served as *PM twice* from *1991-1996* and *2001-2006*, while *Sheikh Hasina* first became *PM in 1996*, then returned in *2008* and remained in power until her *ouster in August 2024*. The *Awami League* maintained power through a *broad-based coalition* including *Bangladeshi nationalists*, *moderate Islamists*, and *secular supporters*. However, *Sheikh Hasina* exhibited *authoritarian tendencies*, increasing repression of opponents including *BNP leaders* and *Jamaat-i-Islami members* for alleged collaboration with *Pakistan* during the independence struggle. She used the *security apparatus* and *co-opted the judiciary* to punish opponents, while also engaging in *massive electoral rigging*. After *Sheikh Hasina's controversial electoral victory in 2024*, students protested against *job quotas* designed to benefit government supporters. *Repressive tactics* caused around *1,500 deaths*, leading the *Bangladeshi military* to withdraw support, forcing *Sheikh Hasina* to resign and flee to *India*. *Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus* was appointed head of a *caretaker government* tasked with *institutional reforms* as a precondition for *fresh and fair elections*. However, the *interim setup* struggles to maintain *law and order*, implement reforms, and avert *politics of revenge*. The *caretaker government* has yet to announce firm election dates and banned the *Awami League*, raising doubts about *inclusive elections*. Conversely, *Jamaat-e-Islami*, banned in *2013* by *Sheikh Hasina*, is now free to participate politically. The *BNP* recently demanded elections during the current year, while students who led *2024 protests* formed their own political party. Despite *Yunus* claiming he won't run for office, there's growing tension between him and the army, with increased fears of *communal violence* and uncertainty about *Awami League's* response to being sidelined. # *Easy/Short SUMMARY*: *Bangladesh* has faced *political violence* since independence despite economic progress. The *Awami League-BNP rivalry* began after *Sheikh Mujeeb's 1975 assassination* and *Zia-ur-Rahman's 1981 killing*. *Sheikh Hasina* ruled *1996-2024* with *authoritarian tendencies*, using *security apparatus* and *electoral rigging*. Student protests against *job quotas* caused *1,500 deaths*, forcing *Hasina* to flee to *India* in *August 2024*. *Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus* leads the *caretaker government* but struggles with *law and order*, while banning *Awami League* and allowing *Jamaat-e-Islami* back. The *BNP* demands elections, students formed a party, and *communal violence* fears grow amid political uncertainty. # *SOLUTIONS of The Problem*: ## *1. Immediate Elections* Announce firm election dates within *6 months* to restore democratic legitimacy and reduce political uncertainty. ## *2. Inclusive Political Process* Allow all parties including *Awami League* to participate in elections while ensuring accountability for past violations. ## *3. Judicial Reforms* Establish independent judiciary free from political interference to ensure rule of law and fair trials. ## *4. Security Sector Reform* Restructure security apparatus to prevent misuse for political purposes and ensure professional conduct. ## *5. Electoral Reforms* Implement transparent electoral systems with international monitoring to prevent rigging and ensure fair elections. ## *6. Reconciliation Commission* Establish *Truth and Reconciliation Commission* to address past grievances and promote national healing. ## *7. Constitutional Amendments* Reform constitution to prevent authoritarian tendencies and strengthen democratic institutions and checks and balances. ## *8. Civil Society Engagement* Strengthen role of civil society, media, and academic institutions in promoting democratic values and accountability. ## *9. International Mediation* Engage international community and organizations to facilitate dialogue and provide technical assistance for reforms. ## *10. Economic Stability* Maintain economic growth and development programs to reduce social tensions and provide stability during transition. # *IMPORTANT Facts and Figures Given in the article*: - *Sheikh Mujeeb-ur-Rehman* was assassinated in *1975* along with many family members. - *Zia-ur-Rahman* was assassinated in *1981* by *Awami League sympathizers*. - Military ruled for almost *9 years* after *Zia's assassination*. - *Khaleda Zia* was PM twice: *1991-1996* and *2001-2006*. - *Sheikh Hasina* first became PM in *1996*, then *2008-2024*. - Around *1,500 deaths* occurred during student protests in *2024*. - *Sheikh Hasina* fled to *India* in *August 2024*. - *Jamaat-e-Islami* was banned in *2013* by *Sheikh Hasina*. - *Muhammad Yunus* is a *Nobel laureate* heading the caretaker government. # *IMPORTANT Facts and Figures out of the article*: - *Bangladesh* has *165 million* population, making it *8th most populous* country (*World Bank*, 2024). - *GDP growth* averaged *6.5%* annually from *2010-2020* (*IMF*, 2024). - *Bangladesh* achieved *middle-income status* in *2015* (*World Bank*, 2024). - *Literacy rate* increased from *45%* in *1995* to *75%* in *2024* (*UNESCO*, 2024). - *Textile exports* account for *80%* of total exports worth *$50 billion* (*Export Promotion Bureau*, 2024). - *Remittances* from overseas workers contribute *$25 billion* annually (*Bangladesh Bank*, 2024). # *MCQs from the Article*: ### 1. *When was Sheikh Mujeeb-ur-Rehman assassinated?* A. 1971 B. 1973 *C. 1975* D. 1977 ### 2. *Who formed the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)?* A. Sheikh Mujeeb-ur-Rehman *B. Zia-ur-Rahman* C. Khaleda Zia D. Sheikh Hasina ### 3. *How many deaths occurred during the 2024 student protests?* A. 1,000 B. 1,200 *C. 1,500* D. 1,800 ### 4. *Who is the current head of Bangladesh's caretaker government?* A. Sheikh Hasina B. Khaleda Zia *C. Muhammad Yunus* D. Zia-ur-Rahman ### 5. *In which year was Jamaat-e-Islami banned by Sheikh Hasina?* A. 2011 B. 2012 *C. 2013* D. 2014 # *VOCABULARY*: 1. *Traumatic* (تکلیف دہ) – Deeply distressing or disturbing 2. *Pluralistic* (کثیر الجہتی) – Characterized by diversity and tolerance 3. *Recurrent* (بار بار آنے والا) – Occurring repeatedly 4. *Coup* (بغاوت) – Sudden overthrow of government 5. *Assassination* (قتل) – Murder of important person for political reasons 6. *Sympathizers* (ہمدرد) – People who support or agree with something 7. *Alternating* (باری باری) – Occurring in turns or succession 8. *Caretaker* (عبوری) – Temporary or interim arrangement 9. *Authoritarian* (آمرانہ) – Demanding strict obedience to authority 10. *Repression* (جبر) – Harsh suppression of opposition 11. *Apparatus* (نظام) – System or organization for particular purpose 12. *Co-opted* (شامل کرنا) – Adopt or take over for one's own use 13. *Rigging* (دھاندلی) – Manipulating fraudulently 14. *Stalwarts* (مخلص) – Loyal and committed supporters 15. *Compelled* (مجبور) – Forced to do something 16. *Herculean* (مشکل) – Requiring great strength or effort 17. *Avert* (ٹالنا) – Prevent or turn away 18. *Vindictiveness* (انتقام) – Desire for revenge 19. *Transcend* (عبور کرنا) – Go beyond limits or boundaries 20. *Fluid* (غیر مستحکم) – Unstable or changing rapidly 📢 *Attention Please!* We appreciate your commitment to acquiring knowledge through our summaries. 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Click the link below to join now 🔗 [Dawn Article Summaries](https://cssmcqs.com/dawn-editorials-articles-summary-for-students-pdf-download/) *WhatsApp Channel Link*: [https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va7tT3o35fLnJeFbpS2y](https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va7tT3o35fLnJeFbpS2y) --- *tribune.com.pk* *Turmoil in Bangladesh* *Syed Mohammad Ali* *6–8 minutes* . the writer is an academic and researcher he is also the author of development poverty and power in pakistan available from routledge The writer is an academic and researcher. He is also the author of Development, Poverty, and Power in Pakistan, available from Routledge print-news Listen to article After its traumatic struggle to separate from the rest of Pakistan, Bangladesh aspired to become a secular and pluralistic democracy. However, despite its relatively impressive economic performance and human development achievements, this densely populated country has remained plagued by recurrent political violence. After experiencing years of bitter rivalry between its two main political parties, the political future of this second largest Muslim country in South Asia has become increasingly uncertain. Bangladesh has certainly seen its share of turmoil over these past five decades. The Awami League had been in power for just a few years when a bloody coup led to the assassination of Sheikh Mujeeb-ur-Rehman, along with many of his family members, in 1975. This assassination set the stage for the Awami League's deep-seated rivalry with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), formed by Zia-ur-Rahman. Zia-ur-Rahman was also assassinated in another coup in 1981, by Awami League sympathisers for his alleged role in Mujeeb's murder. The military then remained in charge of the country for almost nine years. From the early 1990s onwards, the BNP (led by Zia-ur-Rahman's widow Khalida Zia) and the Awami League (led by Sheikh Mujeeb-ur-Rahman's daughter Sheikh Hasina) began alternating in government, barring another two-year period of a military-backed emergency caretaker regime which suspended parliamentary elections in 2007. Khaleda Zia was the PM twice from 1991 to 1996, and from 2001 to 2006. Sheikh Hasina first became the PM in 1996. She then returned as PM in 2008 and remained in power till her ouster in August 2024. The Awami League managed to stay in power for multiple terms by creating a broad-based coalition which included Bangladeshi nationalists, moderate Islamists and secular supporters. But Sheikh Hasina soon began exhibiting authoritarian tendencies. Under her, there was increased repression of opponents, including not only BNP leaders and workers, but also Jamaat-i-Islami members for their alleged collaboration with Pakistan while East Pakistan was struggling for independence. Sheikh Hasina used the security apparatus, and even co-opted the judiciary, to punish her opponents. She is also accused of engaging in massive electoral rigging. Soon after Sheikh Hasina's controversial electoral victory in 2024, students rose up to protest the government decision to institute job quotas devised to benefit its own stalwarts. Repressive tactics to disperse protesters caused around 1,500 deaths, which is when the Bangladeshi military decided to withdraw its support to the government, and Sheikh Hasina was compelled to resign and flee to India. Widely welcomed was the appointment of Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus as the head of a new caretaker government which has taken upon itself the herculean task of institutional reforms, deemed a precondition for enabling fresh and fair elections. However, this interim setup is struggling to maintain law and order, implement its reform agenda, and avert the politics of revenge. Moreover, the caretaker government has yet to announce a firm date for elections, and its decision to ban the Awami League is raising doubts about its intention to hold 'inclusive' elections. Conversely, the Jamaat-e-Islami, banned in 2013 by Sheikh Hasina, is now free to engage in the political process again. BNP took to the streets recently demanding that elections be held during the current year. Students who led the 2024 protests have also formed their own political party. Despite Yunus claiming that he will not run for office, there is growing tension between him and the army. There are increased fears of communal violence, and uncertainty surrounding what the Awami League will do to push back against being sidelined by the interim setup. The present political situation in Bangladesh is thus quite fluid. Whether Bangladesh will be able to form a new government, which can overcome the current polarisation, and transcend the politics of vindictiveness which has plagued the country for much of its existence, remains to be seen.