Fair polls only way out of Bangladesh crisis

It would be simplistic to wholly lay the blame for the crisis in Bangladesh on either the Sheikh Hasina led-Awami League (AL) government or the Khalida Zia-led opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). While it is true that, on the ground, two competing visions of Bangladesh, the secular spirit one and that which raises the spectre of communalism, are battling it out, this is also a case of dynastic politics and a disregard for basic democratic principles on part of both the warring leading ladies of Bangladesh. Amidst the chaos, India must play a careful role, mindful of the need to be seen as equidistant from both the AL and BNP, while stressing its legitimate concerns on having a friendly regime in place in Dhaka.

What started as a protest movement for the defence of the secular spirit, after a leader of the Jamaat-e-Islami — ally of the BNP — was handed a life sentence for war crimes during 1971, turned into calls for a death sentence, and with the Jamaat reacting with violence, a cycle of reprisals has led to over a 100 deaths in recent weeks. Now, the BNP insists a caretaker government must oversee national elections (scheduled on January 5), while the AL insists the government will not step aside and elections will be held as planned. If the BNP boycotts elections, democracy in Bangladesh will suffer.

It is clear the Jamaat is to blame for starting the violence; but the government’s heavy-handed response just made matters worse. Reports suggest the AL may not fare so well if free elections are held, and that many believe elections overseen by the present regime will not be fair. The main task is to ensure all parties participate in a free and fair election. That seems tough to achieve as of now, but New Delhi should, cautiously, do what it can to make that possible.