 Scroll.in Why you should care about the uprising in Bangladesh“The story of Bangladesh under Sheikh Hasina may serve as a cautionary tale for other authoritarian leaders in the region: no matter how entrenched a regime may seem, the power of the people, driven by a thirst for justice, equity, and dignity, remains an unstoppable force. The turmoil in Bangladesh is a clarion call for change, signalling that the era of authoritarian rule must and will come to an end.” These words from Scroll contributor Ashok Swain’s July 22 column on the Bangladesh protests seem prophetic now. Hasina, the world’s longest-serving woman head of state and Bangladesh's longest-serving prime minister, fled her country on Monday amid massive anti-government protests that have killed hundreds. The ingredients in this powder keg reflect India’s own social faultlines: reservations, unemployment, widening inequality and a drift towards authoritarianism. Are we heading down a similar path, or can lessons still be learnt? Find the answers in our coverage of the uprising, and become a Scroll Member today so that we can keep bringing you the truth about what’s happening in our neighbourhood.        |
