Question

Describe the sequence of events responsible for the end of the military government and establishment of democracy in Bangladesh.

Hint:

To recall the democratic transition of Bangladesh, think of the phrase “From Martial Law to Consensus Caretakers”. The joint mobilization of rival parties (Awami League and BNP) and the unique system of neutral caretaker governments were crucial in ending General Ershad's military dictatorship in 1990.

Answer 1

Step 1: The Post-Independence Constitutional Crisis (1971--1975):
Following its liberation from Pakistan in December 1971 under the leadership of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangladesh adopted a parliamentary democratic constitution. However, in early 1975, Sheikh Mujib enacted a controversial constitutional change, replacing the parliamentary framework with a presidential system and banning all political parties except his own (the Awami League). This rise of one-party rule created political instability and culminated in a bloody military coup in August 1975, in which Sheikh Mujib and most of his family members were assassinated.

Step 2: Early Military Rule and the Rise of General Ziaur Rahman (1975--1981):
Following the coup, Bangladesh entered a prolonged period of military-dominated rule. General Ziaur Rahman emerged as the strongman, establishing the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to build civilian legitimacy. Although he won elections in 1979 and restored some constitutional features, his rule was cut short when he was assassinated in another military coup in May 1981.

Step 3: The Authoritarian Rule of General H.M. Ershad (1982--1990):
In March 1982, Lieutenant General Hussain Muhammad Ershad seized power in a bloodless coup, suspending the constitution and imposing martial law. To project public legitimacy, Ershad later assumed the presidency and formed the Jatiya Party. His regime was characterized by heavy-handed political repression, economic corruption, and the manipulation of local and national elections, which alienated both democratic parties and civil society.

Step 4: Mass Democratic Mobilization and the Student-Led Movement (1987--1990):
The late 1980s saw the emergence of a powerful, unified pro-democracy movement. The two major, historically rival political coalitions---the Awami League (led by Sheikh Hasina) and the BNP (led by Khaleda Zia)---forged a strategic alliance alongside various left-wing parties.
• Student Leadership: The All-Party Students Unity (APSU) emerged as the vanguard of the struggle, organizing continuous strikes, blockades, and street demonstrations in Dhaka.
• Civil Society Integration: Lawyers, doctors, journalists, and industrial workers joined the movement, demanding the immediate resignation of Ershad, the restoration of basic fundamental liberties, and the holding of free and fair elections.

Step 5: The Fall of Ershad and Institutionalization of Electoral Democracy (1990--1991):
By late 1990, the protest movement reached a climax, bringing the national administration to a complete standstill. When the military leadership refused to deploy force against peaceful demonstrators, General Ershad resigned on December 6, 1990.
• Caretaker Government System: Power was transferred to a neutral, consensus-based interim caretaker government led by Chief Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed.
• 1991 General Elections: In February 1991, Bangladesh successfully conducted free, fair, and competitive multi-party elections under the caretaker mechanism, marking the institutional transition to parliamentary democracy.