Question

Analyse any three major happenings in Bangladesh that show peoples’ support to democracy.

Answer 1

Following are the three major happenings in Bangladesh that show peoples’ support to democracy:

1. Bangladeshi people resented the domination of western Pakistan: Bangladesh was a part of Pakistan from 1947 to 1971. It consisted of the partitioned areas of Bengal and Assam from British India. The people of this region resented western Pakistan's domination and the Urdu language's imposition. Soon after the partition, they protested against the unfair treatment of Bengali culture and language. They also demanded fair representation in administration and a fair share of political power. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman led the popular struggle against West Pakistani domination. He demanded autonomy for the eastern region.
2. The victory of Awami League in the 1970 Elections: The Awami League, led by Sheikh Mujib, won all of the seats in East Pakistan in the 1970 elections, securing a majority in the proposed constituent assembly for the entire country. However, the West Pakistani-dominated government refused to convene the parliament. Sheikh Mujib was apprehended. The Pakistani army attempted to suppress the Bengali people's mass movement during the military administration of General Yahya Khan.
3. The assassination of Sheikh Mujib and Military ruler Ziaur Rahman: Sheikh Mujib changed the constitution in 1975 to switch from parliamentary to presidential governance. He also outlawed all political parties except his own, the Awami League. This resulted in disagreements and tensions. In a spectacular and sad turn of events, he was slain in August 1975 during a military rebellion. Ziaur Rahman, the new military dictator,' founded his own Bangladesh National Party and won elections in 1979. He was slain, and another military coup ensued, led by Lt Gen H. M. Ershad. The people of Bangladesh quickly rose in support of the call for democracy. Students were in the spotlight. Ershad was forced to allow some minimal political participation. He was elected President for a five-year term. Ershad resigned in 1990 as a result of widespread public outrage. In 1991, elections were conducted. Since then, Bangladesh has had representative democracy based on multi-party elections.