From dictatorship to democracy: A peace laureate’s leadership

Throughout history, we have witnessed smaller forces defeat much larger, long-standing authoritarian regimes that once seemed unshakable. Recently, Bangladesh saw a striking example of this when student protests toppled the powerful authoritarian figure, Sheikh Hasina. It was an extraordinary moment that Bangladeshis had not experienced in years, as the people celebrated the downfall of a regime that once seemed untouchable. The student movement against the quota system, which could have easily been resolved through dialogue, was instead met with arrogance and a refusal to engage by Hasina’s government. This led to the regime’s collapse in less than a month. The ‘Iron Lady’ was forced to flee – a scenario that few had anticipated. This turn of events underscores the vulnerability of even the strongest regimes when they fail to listen to the people and are consumed by pride.
Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus has taken the role of Chief Adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government, following the student-led uprising. He accepted this position at the students’ request, in the midst of a dramatically shifting political landscape. The nation is now filled with hope for a new Bangladesh, with aspirations for reforms in critical sectors and a transition to true democracy. However, Dr. Yunus faces numerous challenges, including improving law and order, addressing rising commodity prices, and combating the false propaganda spread by the fallen regime.
In 2018, the government brutally suppressed a student movement, with its own student wing using weapons – most infamously, hammers – adding a dark chapter to the history of student-on-student violence. By 2024, the government had planned a similar crackdown in response to protests over the quota issue. When asked about the matter, the Prime Minister had once remarked to teachers, “If the grandchildren of freedom fighters don’t get quotas, should the grandchildren of war criminals get them instead?” This inflammatory statement ignited fury among students, who responded with protests and chants like, “Who am I? Who are you? Razakar, Razakar! Who says – dictator, dictator?” The following day, the General Secretary of the ruling Awami League declared, “The student wing itself is enough to crush this movement.” However, the situation only escalated further, as the student protests gained momentum.
The movement intensified due to reports of exam leaks within the Public Service Commission (PSC) and controversy surrounding the 56 per cent job quota for certain groups. These revelations fueled broader rebellion. As protests grew, tragic student deaths galvanized public outrage, and the movement gained mass support, evolving into a larger struggle for justice. Eventually, reminiscent of Sri Lanka’s political upheaval, Sheikh Hasina’s government crumbled. Years of enforced disappearances, extra-judicial killings, and human rights abuses culminated in key government offices being temporarily overrun by angry crowds. For many, it felt like a “second independence.” In 2024, I celebrated this moment, remarking in a video message, “No dictatorship ever has a happy ending-history tells us that.” The active involvement of school and college students gave the movement a unique and powerful character, cementing its place in history.
This region has a rich history of uprisings: the Language Movement of 1952, the mass uprising of 1969, the War of Independence in 1971, and the student-led revolution against Ershad’s regime in 1990. In 2024, history repeated itself, and another authoritarian government fell. The region’s legacy of resistance continues, proving that the spirit of the people, especially the youth, remains a powerful force in shaping the nation’s future.
In the spirit of building a new Bangladesh – one free from inequality and inspired by student sacrifices – the students themselves called upon Dr. Muhammad Yunus. Despite being targeted by Sheikh Hasina’s hostility, Yunus accepted the call. Hasina’s resentment toward Yunus was famously reflected in her remark that he should be “dipped in the Padma River,” an outburst rooted in her frustration over not receiving the Nobel Prize, while Yunus did. Her subsequent campaign to tarnish Yunus’ reputation, including filing corruption cases against him, was part of a broader strategy to block him
from power in Bangladesh. Despite this, Yunus’s international stature remained strong.
As Dr. Yunus took on the challenge of reforming the country, his team of experienced advisers began their work. However, judges appointed through 16 years of corruption orchestrated a judicial coup. In response to decisive actions by the students, the Chief Justice resigned. In an interview with India’s NDTV, Dr. Yunus boldly remarked, “If Bangladesh becomes unstable, the Seven Sisters [northeastern states of India] and Myanmar will also face instability.” While his statement sparked joy in Bangladesh, India reacted less favorably. In a retaliatory move, they opened the gates of the Dumbur Dam in Tripura, leading to unprecedented floods in eastern Bangladesh. Amidst flood management efforts, Ansar members seized control of the Secretariat gate on August 25, eventually breaching security and storming the building. Students once again intervened, liberating the Secretariat from Ansar control, although many were injured.
Now, reports are circulating that power sector workers are rallying with demands, allegedly as part of a new plot to destabilize the Yunus government. People are questioning why these demands were silent for 16 years, and many fear the rise of new forms of fascism. The call for vigilance against these threats is growing.
To truly move forward, Bangladesh must address the wrongs of the past 16 years and protect those subjected to legal harassment and violence. The education system, weakened by corruption, must be rebuilt with a focus on accountability, integrity, and ethics. Reforms will take time, but a dedicated teaching community and renewed professional institutions can restore these values. In a national address, Dr. Yunus emphasized the need for patience as his government works to restore order and address the systemic decay plaguing the nation.
Once rule of law is established and necessary reforms are enacted, an independent electoral commission must be formed to ensure a fair and free election. A strong caretaker government must also be in place – that Sheikh Hasina had abolished through her loyal Chief Justice Khairul Haque, paving the way for her autocratic rule. The downfall of a dictatorship serves as a stark reminder that future leaders must learn from the past. As the saying goes, “History repeats itself,” but the tragedy is that lessons often go unheeded. Will future leaders learn from Sheikh Hasina’s downfall?
Dr. Yunus’s government faces significant challenges, including corruption, an economic crisis, and attempts to destabilize the state. Many are calling for a stronger cabinet to tackle these issues. As Dr. Yunus navigates through these challenges, all eyes are on how he will stabilize and shape the future of Bangladesh. The path ahead is difficult, but the nation remains hopeful that with his leadership, a new, prosperous Bangladesh will emerge.