<p>The attempt to stage a coup against the Bangladesh government, which was foiled by the military last week, shows that the country is not yet safe for democracy. <br /><br /></p>.<p>Bangladesh has a history of military dictatorship but it also has a strong record of civilian rule and lively, if too contentious and confrontationist, politics. The Awami League government led by Sheikh Hasina has in the last three years tried to strengthen the principles of the country’s first democratic constitution which was subverted by military rulers later. The best features of a modern polity, including secularism, are now enshrined in the constitution. The judiciary has also been supportive of the government in this and it had a major role in restoring the original constitution.<br /><br />But anti-democratic impulses are also strong among some sections in Bangladesh. Two years ago Bangladesh Rifles had staged a mutiny which was also foiled in time. The latest coup attempt was masterminded by serving and retired military officers who have links with a banned Islamist body called Hizbut Tahrir. The Sheikh Hasina government has tried to weaken the Islamist forces but they are still active. Fundamentalist Islamic groups and military rulers have had close ties in the past. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which is the major opposition party, has been soft on fundamentalist Islam. The party has sometimes acted as a platform for the most conservative and backward elements in Bangladeshi society.<br /><br />Yet another strand that connects the anti-democratic forces in Bangladesh is their anti-India posture. A military rule or even the return of a BNP government could mean reversal of many policies initiated by the Awami League government. Bangladesh has helped India in its campaign against rebels and insurgents in the north-eastern states. It also helped to curb the activities of Pakistan’s ISI which had worked against India from Bangladesh. India too has tried to accommodate Dhaka’s needs and concerns. But the failure to sign a water-sharing deal has remained a sore point. Recent incidents like the torture of a Bangladeshi by BSF personnel, which got wide publicity in that country, have the potential even to strain official relations. A democratic Bangladesh which has deep economic relations with India is India’s best security insurance in the east. Bangladesh should also realise that friendship with India is in its interest.</p>
<p>The attempt to stage a coup against the Bangladesh government, which was foiled by the military last week, shows that the country is not yet safe for democracy. <br /><br /></p>.<p>Bangladesh has a history of military dictatorship but it also has a strong record of civilian rule and lively, if too contentious and confrontationist, politics. The Awami League government led by Sheikh Hasina has in the last three years tried to strengthen the principles of the country’s first democratic constitution which was subverted by military rulers later. The best features of a modern polity, including secularism, are now enshrined in the constitution. The judiciary has also been supportive of the government in this and it had a major role in restoring the original constitution.<br /><br />But anti-democratic impulses are also strong among some sections in Bangladesh. Two years ago Bangladesh Rifles had staged a mutiny which was also foiled in time. The latest coup attempt was masterminded by serving and retired military officers who have links with a banned Islamist body called Hizbut Tahrir. The Sheikh Hasina government has tried to weaken the Islamist forces but they are still active. Fundamentalist Islamic groups and military rulers have had close ties in the past. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which is the major opposition party, has been soft on fundamentalist Islam. The party has sometimes acted as a platform for the most conservative and backward elements in Bangladeshi society.<br /><br />Yet another strand that connects the anti-democratic forces in Bangladesh is their anti-India posture. A military rule or even the return of a BNP government could mean reversal of many policies initiated by the Awami League government. Bangladesh has helped India in its campaign against rebels and insurgents in the north-eastern states. It also helped to curb the activities of Pakistan’s ISI which had worked against India from Bangladesh. India too has tried to accommodate Dhaka’s needs and concerns. But the failure to sign a water-sharing deal has remained a sore point. Recent incidents like the torture of a Bangladeshi by BSF personnel, which got wide publicity in that country, have the potential even to strain official relations. A democratic Bangladesh which has deep economic relations with India is India’s best security insurance in the east. Bangladesh should also realise that friendship with India is in its interest.</p>
