Simmering chaos

Following the regime change in Bangladesh and Prime Minister Hasina's ouster, the nation faces chaos, ineffective governance, economic collapse, communal violence, and threats to secularism

- SHANTANU MUKHARJI

It has been nearly three months since the unceremonious and illegal regime change in Bangladesh, which led to the ouster of democratically elected Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, forcing her to take refuge in India. Vandals and lumpens had a field day, causing mayhem by trespassing into the Prime Minister's official residence and resorting to brazen looting. The law enforcement agencies and even the army remained mute spectators to these events.

Hasina's adversaries kept justifying their actions by alleging that she was an autocrat, a stooge of India, and responsible for fostering rampant corruption. Yet, within months of her exit, the nation has been beleaguered by multiple serious problems that the caretaker government has been unable to rein in. Nor have the amateur advisors, with no governance experience, made any visible effort to control the chaos.

The country's economy is on a ventilator, the law and order situation is worse to say the least, and communal and religious extremist forces are acting without restraint or accountability. Recently, protesters attempted to storm the President's house to force his resignation over trivial issues. The police were severely beaten by the agitators, and the army stepped in halfheartedly to contain the situation. What does this imply? It demonstrates that the police have become completely ineffective, indecisive, and paralyzed by inertia.