The Canvas of Power
This body of work seeks to illuminate the complex dynamics of Bangladeshi politics, revealing the layers of power struggles, human rights challenges, and ruling-party influence that have shaped the country’s political narrative. For more than fifteen years, the Awami League maintained a firm grip on state power, employing a range of political, institutional, and legal mechanisms to sustain its rule. That political order came to a dramatic end on August 5, 2024, with the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government—an event that marked a critical turning point, carrying both hope and deep uncertainty for Bangladesh’s democratic future.
Through this visual narrative, I have documented the buildup to that moment, capturing political rallies, strategic alliances, and growing public dissent that ultimately contributed to the regime’s collapse. Beneath the appearance of electoral democracy, the political landscape was marked by contested elections, widespread human rights violations, and the systematic use of the Digital Security Act to suppress dissent and restrict freedom of expression. The images reflect these realities, documenting cases of enforced disappearances, alleged abuses, and their direct impact on civic space and free speech.
The work also examines the role of foreign interests in Bangladesh’s political arena. The photographs capture moments in which external actors, both overtly and subtly, sought to influence policy decisions, political alignments, and strategic outcomes. At the same time, the police and security forces emerge as central actors in this narrative. Over the years, these institutions were repeatedly deployed not only for law enforcement but also to safeguard political authority. In the final days of the regime, fractures within these forces became visible, exposing vulnerabilities in their claimed neutrality and institutional integrity.
Following the fall of the government, the transition period was marked by a rise in mob violence and growing challenges to public security. The interim administration struggled to maintain law and order, including failures to prevent attacks on Islamic shrines and other religious sites across the country. These incidents underscored the institutional weaknesses that surfaced during the post-transition phase.
Efforts to investigate and prosecute those responsible for the July massacre showed limited progress. Despite widespread public demands for accountability, formal inquiries and judicial proceedings remained inconclusive, reinforcing long-standing patterns of impunity. Together, these developments demonstrate that the collapse of an entrenched political regime does not automatically deliver justice, stability, or democratic reform.
Ultimately, the project documents both the fall of a political order and its turbulent aftermath—where hope, fear, resistance, and unresolved violence coexist. It stands as a visual record of Bangladesh’s ongoing struggle for accountability, freedom of expression, and a more just and democratic future.
