In a heart-wrenching tale of loss, a nameless woman opens up about the death of her husband in jail just weeks before the highly anticipated Bangladesh elections. Afraid to speak out publicly, she leads us to an abandoned building where she shares the story of her late husband, a well-known worker for the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), the country’s main opposition political party.
With tears in her eyes, she describes her husband as a big-hearted man who loved to sing sentimental songs and doted on his wife and children. However, tragedy struck when he was arrested by police late last year while at a tea stall near their home. Just 26 days later, their son received a devastating phone call informing them of his father’s death in jail.
The grieving widow recalls the shock and despair she felt when she saw her husband’s lifeless body. His hands, face, and body were covered in marks, leading her to believe he was tortured to death. The authorities, on the other hand, claimed it was a natural death. Frustrated and grieving, she now seeks justice for her husband, longing for a world where her son can call his father and her daughter can hear his voice.
According to human rights organizations, politically motivated arrests, extrajudicial killings, and other human rights abuses have been on the rise under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government. A recent report by Human Rights Watch (HRW) describes a “violent autocratic crackdown” by Bangladeshi authorities, which aims to suppress the opposition ahead of the elections.
Meenakshi Ganguly, Deputy Director of HRW’s Asia Division, shares her concerns about the shrinking space for dissent and criticism in Bangladesh. In a functioning democracy, she argues, the freedom to voice opposition is crucial. However, with the mounting crackdown on dissent, the BNP has decided to boycott the elections, leaving Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Awami League party with little to no competition.
While the government denies allegations of silencing critics, the numbers speak for themselves. More than 10,000 BNP supporters and party leaders are currently imprisoned, according to HRW. Nasrul Islam, a senior leader of the BNP, explains that even speaking freely comes with dire consequences. People who dare to voice their opinions are often arrested, beaten, tortured, and sometimes even killed in jail. The fear is so pervasive that Islam no longer sleeps at home at night, as he knows authorities frequently target people during those hours.
The widowed woman who bravely shares her story also expresses concerns for her and her family’s safety. Living in an area dominated by Awami League supporters, she fears harassment and potential harm. Despite all the obstacles, she remains unwavering in her belief that her late husband had done the right thing for their country. However, she questions the legitimacy of the upcoming elections, pointing to the excessive use of force and the lack of justice.
As Sunday’s elections approach, disillusioned voters in Bangladesh ponder the point of participating in a seemingly predetermined outcome. With an opposition party weakened by mass arrests and a government denying claims of suppressing dissent, the future of democracy hangs in the balance. As the country celebrates its 50th year of independence, there are growing concerns that the aspirations and ideals of the liberation struggle are slipping away.
The tragic story of this widow serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of political strife and the dangers faced by those who dare to speak out against the ruling party.
In a society yearning for justice and transparency, it is essential for the international community to pay attention and hold the government of Bangladesh accountable for its actions. Only then can the path towards a truly free and fair democracy be realized. Until then, countless widows like her will continue to mourn the loss of their loved ones and grapple with the lingering question: What is the point of it all?
