Power, Politics, and Identity: The Changing Face of Awami League

 It was the late 1980s. The movement against Ershad had gained momentum. My maternal uncle was involved in the student wing of the Awami League at that time. We used to live in Panchbibi, Joypurhat. Uncle would often bring his friends over, and I would listen to their discussions. This was how I became familiar with the political culture of the Awami League.

Later, in 1993, we permanently moved to Domar, where we settled. After passing my SSC in 1995, my journey in student politics began. By 1998, I was fully active in student politics, and until I moved to Dhaka in August 2004, I was completely involved with the student wing of the Awami League in Domar. Therefore, I had a strong connection with the political culture of the Awami League.

When I was younger and would go out with my uncle, I noticed that juniors addressed him as "leader." Similarly, he would address his senior leader as "leader." Having lived in an Awami family in Domar for so long, I had the privilege of coming into contact with historic figures like Abdur Rouf. Mr. Rouf was a leader of the student wing of Awami League in 1969. He was one of the architects of the 11-point movement for students and a central figure in that movement. He was also the first person to raise the slogan "Joy Bangla."

The Deep Political Divide in Bangladesh

The general population of Bangladesh is divided into two groups: Awami League and BNP. There’s no middle ground. Those who support the League do so with their entire families, and the same goes for BNP supporters. Over time, these two parties have developed their own cultures. For instance, in the Awami League, when someone becomes a leader, they are usually addressed as "leader." This is not something anyone needs to explain; it’s a practice, a culture.

Similarly, those who are connected to the Awami League address Sheikh Hasina as "Netri" (leader). At least, that was the practice until 2004. I was a part of Ivy Rahman’s funeral procession after the August 21, 2004 grenade attack, and there, too, I heard Awami activists using the word "Netri" to address her. Even during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure as Prime Minister from 1996 to 2001, I heard this title being used.

Likewise, BNP activists or supporters address Khaleda Zia as "Madam." Whether they understand the meaning of "Madam" or not, they use it to refer to Khaleda Zia. During the period when the country was terrorized by petrol bombs, Khaleda Zia’s younger son, Arafat Rahman Koko, passed away. I was returning home from the office on a bus that day, and I saw an elderly fellow passenger burst into tears upon hearing the news. He lamented, "How will Madam bear this grief?" This is the internal culture of the Awami League and BNP. Those connected to these parties refer to their leaders as "Netri" or "Madam."

The Shift in Political Culture: From ‘Netri’ to ‘Apa’

From 2009 to 2024, the Awami League has undergone significant change. While both parties have distinct cultures, Awami League members practice "political practice," whereas BNP members practice "power practice." The reasons for this can be found in the founding histories of the two parties. Over the past decade and a half, it has become evident that the Awami League has gradually moved away from its original culture. The current downfall stems primarily from this shift.

When did the "Netri" whom Awami League activists cherished like a daughter become "Apa"? How did the culture of "power practice" replace the "political practice" that was supposed to exist within the Awami League? Who or what triggered this attack on the two most crucial elements of Awami culture?

Not every single Awami League activist addressed Sheikh Hasina as "Netri." Many senior leaders may have addressed her as "Apa," which was their personal choice. But how did this personal address become widespread? Who are these individuals who are not close to Sheikh Hasina yet call her "Apa"? On what basis do they address the people's leader as "Apa"?

The Rise of Power Brokers

Over the course of 20 years working in Dhaka’s private offices, I’ve worked in many small offices. When the Awami League came to power for the third phase, a class of brokers started appearing in these small offices. Often, it fell on me to deal with them. From 2015 onward, their presence became quite noticeable. What was surprising, however, was that many of these so-called powerful individuals held no official party positions. They were simply relatives of some leader’s cousin’s in-law or some minister’s brother-in-law’s uncle. Some claimed to be close aides of influential people, including former MP Nixon and their inner circles.

I was personally exhausted by dealing with these brokers. What was the situation for others? This is the culture of "power practice." In the grip of this culture, the "Netri" became "Apa." These brokers don’t know that Sheikh Hasina is lovingly called "Netri" by her activists. They don’t know that people stood in front of grenades to protect her, even knowing they would receive nothing in return. They don’t understand that the "Liberation War" in 1971 has faced constant conspiracies to be renamed as "Independence War."

The Power of Words and the Future of the Awami League

Some words carry immense power, like "1971," "Liberation War," and "Freedom Fighter." Or in the Awami League, calling Sheikh Hasina "Netri," and in BNP, calling Khaleda Zia "Madam." These are parts of the culture. Attempting to change them is an attempt to shift the country and its parties from their rightful positions. The brokers have succeeded in altering the internal culture of the Awami League, just as the anti-Liberation forces continue to try to change Bangladesh’s culture.

The person who cried out "Apa, Apa, Apa" over the phone was simply a broker. In another audio call, I heard a student wing leader, a young boy, also calling Sheikh Hasina "Apa." Does this disrespectful boy really belong to the student wing? And if so, why?

It’s time for the Awami League to reflect on what they want and how they want it. Will they restore their former connection with the people, or will they continue with this changed version of the party? The decision is theirs.

A wise man once said, "When the Awami League wins, only the Awami League wins. But when the Awami League loses, Bangladesh loses." Today, Bangladesh has lost. If the Awami League doesn’t correct its course and take the helm once more, time won’t wait. Time will find its alternative. That’s just the law of time.

May good prevail. Joy Bangla.

Written by:
Editor of littlemag AkaalBodhon
Date: October 6, 2024

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