After the downfall of a fascist regime in Bangladesh led by Sheikh Hasina, the nation is confronted with the dual challenge of reconstructing democratic foundations and eradicating a harmful political atmosphere, a process named “de-Awamification” inspired by Germany’s post-World War II “de-Nazification.”
Bangladesh endured over a decade under an increasingly authoritarian system where fascist propaganda, intimidation strategies, and dogmatic ideologies were normalized, particularly through cultural mechanisms like slogans. These slogans, commonly heard at political gatherings, served as vehicles of profound intolerance and were utilized to dehumanize dissenters. Phrases such as “We will skin them alive,” “In X’s Bangladesh, there’s no room for Y,” or the ominous “Light the fire, burn it all,” “Leave Bangla right now,” “Catch and slaughter one by one” were not merely words but weapons, as potent as physical force, employed to cultivate a political environment rooted in fear, violence, and exclusion.
The toxic political culture did not dissipate with the regime’s collapse. Concerningly, some factions that opposed the fascist regime have now embraced the same rhetoric as their oppressors. Crowds advocating for the “slaughter” of political adversaries or threatening to expel ideological opponents from the nation mirror the authoritarian mindset they once opposed. This shift is not a progression towards democracy but rather a replication of past behavior.
De-Awamification aims not to outlaw a party or erase a political identity but to dismantle the fascist cultural infrastructure normalized by the Awami League, commencing with the language of violence. Similar to Germany’s post-Nazi era, this necessitates a deliberate, government-led initiative for re-education. Post-1945, Germany prohibited Nazi symbols, banned hate speech, and launched educational programs to instill democratic principles. Bangladesh must undertake a similar path.
While some may argue that slogans are mere rhetoric, research in social psychology presents a different narrative. Prolonged exposure to hate speech and violent language desensitizes individuals, fosters extremism in public dialogue, and can lead to physical and psychological harm. Studies indicate that hate slogans can escalate aggression, anxiety, blood pressure, and ultimately fracture a nation’s social fabric.
Furthermore, such slogans obstruct any efforts towards pluralism, transforming politics into a winner-takes-all scenario devoid of coexistence. In this environment, the judiciary loses relevance, public trust wanes, and political rivalry descends into tribal conflict.
Bangladesh now requires a cultural cleansing. The media, political entities, educational institutions, and civil society must spearhead this transformation. Prohibiting violent slogans should mark the starting point, not the conclusion. Educational institutions should emphasize the significance of dissent and democratic values. Political figures must pledge to use nonviolent discourse publicly, and party training materials should integrate sections on ethical campaigning and speech.
It is vital to comprehend that the downfall of fascism does not guarantee the establishment of democracy. To foster a truly diverse Bangladesh, it is imperative not only to remove autocrats from power but also to eliminate autocratic tendencies within ourselves.
De-Awamification stands as the necessary moral and cultural surgery to eliminate the remnants of fascism from our language, politics, and consciousness. Only through this process can the nation embark on the journey of healing and reconstruction.