In George Orwell’s Animal Farm, we witness the grim irony of revolutionaries turning into oppressors. Orwell’s allegory of farm animals overthrowing human rulers only to become as tyrannical as those they replaced offers a hauntingly familiar narrative to Bangladesh’s political landscape. Since the birth of the nation in 1971, the oscillating power struggles between the Awami League, the BNP, and the Jatiyo Party have echoed the unsettling transformation described in Orwell’s classic -- where each party, once in power, mirrors the behaviour of the oppressors they once fought against.

And yet, amidst this cycle of dominance and repression, recent anti-discrimination student movement gives us a glimmer of hope, suggesting that, like Orwell’s farm, the citizens of Bangladesh may one day break free from the shackles of political exploitation.

The promises of 1971 -- hope for a new dawn

The year 1971 was the defining moment of Bangladesh’s history. It was the dream of freedom and equality that spurred millions to rise against the tyranny of West Pakistan. The Awami League, led by the charismatic Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, championed the cause of liberation, vowing to build a nation where oppression would have no place. Much like the animals on Orwell’s farm, the people of Bangladesh envisioned a society based on equality, fairness, and prosperity. In the fields of this newly-independent nation, the promise of true democracy flourished.

But the euphoria of liberation was short-lived. Within a few years, power became centralised, dissent was stifled, and the dream of equality began to unravel. Mujib’s one-party rule under BAKSAL in 1975 -- aimed at consolidating power to preserve national unity -- bore a striking resemblance to Napoleon’s consolidation of authority in Animal Farm.

The rise of new leaders -- old patterns repeating

The assassination of Mujib in 1975 marked the beginning of a turbulent chapter in Bangladesh’s history. Despite the revolutionary promises of the BNP and the Jatiyo Party in the post-assassination period, these parties too fell into the trap of power.

General Ziaur Rahman, the founder of the BNP, rose to power through a military coup, promising to restore democracy. Zia’s rise echoed Snowball’s initial leadership in Animal Farm, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the chaos. But soon, his government became increasingly authoritarian, suppressing opposition and enforcing political loyalty. His regime, much like the pigs on Orwell’s farm, began to resemble the oppressors they had once denounced.

Then came General Hussain Muhammad Ershad of the Jatiyo Party, whose nine-year rule from 1982 to 1990 epitomised the cycle of oppression. Promises of a brighter future quickly faded as Ershad’s autocratic tendencies became more apparent. Under his rule, corruption flourished, and civil liberties were curtailed. Like the sheep on Orwell’s farm, Ershad’s loyalists echoed his slogans mindlessly, while the common people continued to suffer under the weight of poverty and repression.

The rise of Khaleda Zia and the BNP in the early 1990s brought with it a renewed hope for democracy, following the end of Ershad’s autocratic rule. As Bangladesh’s first female prime minister, Khaleda Zia’s leadership was seen as a significant shift, with promises of rebuilding the nation’s democratic institutions. However, much like Orwell’s depiction of the pigs which gradually became indistinguishable from the humans they had overthrown, Khaleda Zia’s government soon followed the same path of repression and power consolidation.

Sheikh Hasina’s two terms in power have drawn sharp criticism for their increasing authoritarianism and disregard for democratic principles. While her first term (1996-2001) began with some hope for political stability, her second term (starting in 2009) has been even more controversial. Although the country experienced economic growth, it came at the expense of political freedoms.

The 2014 and 2018 elections were widely criticised as being deeply flawed, with opposition parties accusing the government of rigging votes and suppressing dissent. Hasina’s government cracked down on free speech, using the Digital Security Act to arrest journalists, activists, and even ordinary citizens who dared to criticise the regime. Furthermore, human rights organisations have raised concerns about the forced disappearances of opposition leaders and extrajudicial killings under her administration.

These tactics have led many to accuse her of eroding Bangladesh’s democracy, turning it into a one-party state where dissent is stifled, and political opposition has little room to operate. Despite economic gains, Hasina’s tenure has been tainted by a legacy of authoritarian control and democratic backsliding.
With every transition of power -- from the Awami League to the BNP to the Jatiyo Party and back again -- the promises of equality and justice faded. Orwell’s portrayal of the pigs standing on two legs, indistinguishable from humans, becomes a fitting metaphor for the political leaders in Bangladesh, who, once in power, adopt the same repressive practices they had once condemned.

Recent national movements – wind of change or anything else?

Yet, in the midst of this grim reality, there are signs of hope. The recent national movements, including the student protests demanding safer roads, the rise of youth-led activism, and widespread calls for fair elections, insinuate that the citizens of Bangladesh are jolting themselves out of the decades-long slumber of political oppression. These movements, led primarily by the youth, bear the marks of a new kind of revolution -- one that is driven not by party loyalty but by a genuine desire for change and accountability.

In Animal Farm, the animals initially failed to realise their own strength, allowing themselves to be manipulated by the pigs. But in Bangladesh, the tide seems to be turning. The youth are beginning to question the status quo, challenging the dominance of entrenched political elites. They are refusing to accept the familiar narrative of repression and are demanding transparency, accountability, and justice.

A call for true liberation

As Bangladesh looks to the future, the lessons from Orwell’s Animal Farm become ever more relevant. Power, when unchecked, leads to oppression, no matter who wields it. The people of Bangladesh must remain vigilant, for their struggle for true liberation is far from over. The cycle of political repression must be broken, and this can only be achieved through the active participation of an informed and empowered citizenry.
The road ahead is long, and the obstacles are many. But if Bangladesh is to break free from the patterns of oppression, it must embrace a new kind of politics — one that values the welfare of its people over the interests of its leaders. Only then can the country move beyond the bleak cycle of Orwellian domination and step into the light of true democracy.
___________________________________
The writer is an Assistant Professor, Department of English, International University of Business Agriculture and Technology (IUBAT)