Bangladesh 2024 mass uprising: A mirror image of Julius Caesar

 Bangladesh 2024 mass uprising: A mirror image of Julius Caesar

Considering the recent protests of Bangladesh, it has interesting similarities with one of the most constructive writings of Shakespeare. The book "Julius Caesar" by Shakespeare and the uprisings of 2024 offer parallels in their examination of political unrest and power battles. Both highlight the difficulties of being a leader.

People's discontent against ex Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's administration gave rise to the protests in Bangladesh in 2024. The protesters were tired of systematic corruption, economic mismanagement, and so called election. The country was democratic only in papers when in reality it has been autocratic all along. One of the key points was her unfair treatment towards the people who did not support her community. Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar", in contrast, dramatizes events that occurred in Rome in 44 BCE, while focusing a major part on Julius Caesar's assassination. The political motivations of Brutus of overthrowing Caesar is very similar to that of general people in Bangladesh.

 According to The Guardian (2011), "Brutus and Caesar are mirror images of each other. Both are wreathed in an obstinate self-regard, both make fatal tactical decisions." People of Bangladesh here played the role of Brutus while the ex Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina being Caesar." Despite both decisions seeming to be fatal, the end result can declare the Bangladeshis and Brutus as the brave ones who swam against the current for the sake of greater good.

The demonstrations in Bangladesh and "Julius Caesar" both represent that how much people's view on politics can vary and how strong the public can come off in extreme situations. Public indignation in Bangladesh was started by specific people getting special treatment from the government like academic and job quotas. But soon people started pointing out all faulty parts of the government. One of the vital turn was when the government answered the protests with violence.

Similarly, Caesar was widely known for his violence. Caesar's portrayal in the play as a leader whose ambition became the reason of his downfall which was Brutus and others murdering him as a way to preserve Roman democracy. In Retrospect Journal, Daniel Sharp says , "This set the stage for his seizure of power, and he soon declared himself dictator in perpetuity, a move which alarmed his opponents and ultimately led to his assassination." Sheikh Hasina too got tangled up in public affair after she openly demonstrated dictatorship starting with mass murder and later on shutting off internet of entire nation which took away freedom of speech of the people of Bangladesh.

Both ex Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Caesar's character are example of the fall of the ones who starve for power. Even though their downfall caused public unrest and chaos in Bangladesh and Rome respectively, but eventually everything fell back to its place creating a new democratic nation.

If public discontent was taken into account from the start then the situations could have been much more different. This is the same as the relationship of a businessman and a consumer. In order to run a healthy business one must prioritize the consumers and their demands. Public is what transforms a piece of land into nation. So not considering the public opinion is bound to end up as a mess. Not only King Julius Caesar and ex Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, but hundreds of ppeople and their rulers in history proved this thing time and time again.

Comparing both situations one thing is clear that greed is the root cause of these political destruction. Julius Caesar of Shakespeare and ex Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina are subject of greed. Their insane addiction to power and the benefits from it is what got them at the first place. Dictatorship is a mask of deeply rooted desire for power and control. On the other hand, there are people who only think about the greater good free of all greed. Brutus and the people of Bangladesh is the proof. But the mass of Bangladesh received something that Brutus did not which is affection and support. Interestingly, Brutus is seen as a villain in the eyes of many. Sometimes foolish even. But I personally believe his haste decision are justified considering the dictatorship of Julius Caesar of Roman Empire.

Dictatorship is a poor political choice because-

1. Suppression of Freedoms: Dictatorships typically curtail personal and political freedoms, stifling dissent and limiting free expression.

2. Lack of Accountability: Leaders are not held accountable to the public, leading to corruption, abuse of power, and poor governance.

3. Human Rights Violations: Many dictatorships engage in systemic human rights abuses, including torture, imprisonment without trial, and extrajudicial killings.

4. Economic Mismanagement: Centralized control often leads to inefficient economic policies, stifling innovation and growth, and worsening poverty.

5. Instability and Violence: The absence of political pluralism can lead to civil unrest, conflict, and instability as marginalized groups resist oppression.

6. Limited Political Legitimacy: Without legitimate electoral processes, the government often lacks the consent of the governed, leading to widespread discontent.

Overall, dictatorships tend to produce social, economic, and political environments that are unsustainable and detrimental to citizen’s wellbeing. Therefore it is pretty much expected for the public to raise their voice against dictators at some point. Once the voice has been raised it becomes practically impossible to stop such a strong force.

Shakespeare's play and the recent protests both highlight how persistent political struggle is and how the most basic decision can deeply affect the stability of the society. Comparing and contrasting these incidences help us understand the dynamics of power and the pursuit of justice. It shows us neglecting public discontent can lead to greater dispute.

  

Citations:

       Sharp, D. (n.a.). The Retrospect Journal. https://retrospectjournal.com/ 2018/08/07/tv-review-julius-caesar-revealed/

                 Billington, M. (2011). The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2011/jan/11/julius-caesar-rsc-review