Bangladesh is facing a profound democratic deficit that will require significant intervention to reverse, according to a former Indian diplomat. Vidya Bhushan Soni, who served as India's High Commissioner to Bangladesh, has painted a stark picture of the country's current political landscape, suggesting its path back to genuine democratic norms is fraught with difficulty.
A Bleak Assessment from a Seasoned Observer
In a candid discussion, Soni did not mince words about the challenges ahead for Bangladesh. He stated that for democracy to make a comeback in the nation, it would need "a lot of divine help, good sense, and open-mindedness." This dramatic phrasing underscores the depth of the political impasse he perceives. Soni's analysis points to a system where democratic institutions and processes have been severely weakened, creating an environment where a return to participatory governance cannot be achieved through conventional political means alone.
The former diplomat placed direct responsibility for the current state of affairs on the ruling party. He asserted that the Awami League government, led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has "killed" democracy in Bangladesh. This strong accusation highlights a governance model he views as increasingly authoritarian, where political opposition is systematically marginalised. Soni's tenure in Dhaka, coupled with his ongoing analysis of regional politics, forms the basis for this critical perspective.
The Erosion of Political Space and Institutional Trust
Soni elaborated on the mechanisms of this democratic decline. He argued that the Hasina administration has effectively dismantled the necessary frameworks for a healthy democracy. A central pillar of this, according to him, is the complete erosion of trust in the Election Commission. When citizens lose faith in the body tasked with ensuring free and fair elections, the very foundation of democratic legitimacy is shattered. This lack of credibility extends beyond the commission to other key state institutions, which are seen as instruments of the ruling party rather than neutral arbiters.
The situation for the political opposition, particularly the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), is described as dire. Soni noted that the BNP and other opposing voices have been left with "no space" to operate politically. This encompasses restrictions on organising, campaigning, and contesting elections without facing severe legal and extra-legal pressures. The result is a political landscape devoid of meaningful contestation, where the outcome of electoral processes is often a foregone conclusion, further deepening public cynicism.
International Reactions and the Path Forward
The international community, including major democracies, has not been silent. Soni acknowledged that countries like the United States have expressed serious concerns about the democratic backsliding and the conditions under which recent elections were conducted. This external pressure, however, has so far failed to alter the domestic political calculus in a significant way. The government in Dhaka has often dismissed such criticism as interference in its internal affairs.
Looking ahead, Soni's prognosis remains cautious, if not pessimistic. His call for "divine help" is a metaphorical expression of the monumental shift required. The essential ingredients for change, in his view, are "good sense" and "open-mindedness" from the current power structure. This would involve a voluntary willingness to restore political space, rebuild independent institutions, and engage in inclusive dialogue with all stakeholders. Without such a fundamental change in approach, the prospect for a genuine democratic revival in Bangladesh appears distant, leaving the nation's political future hanging in the balance amid growing internal and external scrutiny.
