Bangladesh at independence was teeming with hopes for democracy and progress but 50 years after independence this seems to have been wishful thinking. Prothom Alo had this article in South Asia Journal:

Bangladesh was born in 1971 with the aspirations of establishing a democratic system and the constitution was drawn up with the aim of upholding democracy and democratic values. But in the 50 years of Bangladesh’s independence, these aspirations remain unfulfilled. In fact, these dreams paled within a few years of independence.

The one-party government established in January 1975 can be called nothing less than authoritarian. Then in the same year, in August and November, a couple of military coups took place. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and top ranking leaders of the country were killed, ushering in military authoritarian rule.

The next 15 years saw direct military rule, the assassination of Ziaur Rahman and the rise of Ershad. After an eight-year movement to re-establish democracy, Ershad’s military government was finally toppled in December 1990.

Read the full story here.