Bangladesh Prime Minister’s drive to secure father’s legacy sparks concerns
Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is intensifying efforts to cement her father’s legacy, transforming the late Sheikh Mujibur Rahman into a revered figure known as the “Father of the Nation.”
Critics allege that this move is a strategic ploy to strengthen Hasina’s Awami League ahead of upcoming elections, marked by an opposition boycott.
In a controversial move, Hasina’s government has implemented stringent penalties for any form of criticism or defamation against Mujib’s legacy, effectively creating what some activists describe as a secular blasphemy law akin to those seen in one-party states.
Since Hasina’s return to office in 2009, Sheikh Mujib’s image adorns every banknote, public mural, and institute of higher learning in Bangladesh.
The constitution has been amended to mandate his portrait’s presence in schools, government offices, and diplomatic missions.
Even roads and institutions bear his name, symbolizing a pervasive national commemoration effort orchestrated by Hasina.
At the heart of this commemoration is Mujib’s former residence in Dhaka, now a museum bearing witness to the tragic events of August 1975 when he, along with family members, fell victim to a military coup.
The museum, replete with bullet holes, preserves the artifacts of Mujib’s life, drawing hundreds daily to pay homage.
Critics argue that this monumental commemoration is a subtle move towards an authoritarian one-party state, as Hasina’s government employs laws to silence dissent and protect Mujib’s image from criticism.
The 2018 cybersecurity law, in particular, has been wielded to arrest individuals accused of defaming Mujib’s legacy.
Opposition parties express concern over the broader erosion of civil liberties under Hasina, highlighting the consolidation of her party’s control over democratic institutions.
Analysts speculate that Hasina’s personal motives stem from her father’s diminished role in Bangladesh’s history after his assassination.
His killers, initially shielded from prosecution, were eventually hanged upon Hasina’s return to power, reflecting her determination to secure Mujib’s historical standing.
Amidst these controversies, the nation awaits Sunday’s elections, poised to witness whether Hasina’s efforts to shape her father’s legacy will further solidify her grip on power or face challenges from those wary of the perceived authoritarian shift.
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