How ‘tagging’ silences critical voices in Bangladesh

November 28, 2024

DHAKA – The political upheaval of August 2024, which saw the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government and the installation of an interim administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, has placed Bangladesh at a pivotal juncture in its democratic trajectory. Yet, despite this leadership shift, the divisive practice of “tagging”—labelling individuals or groups with politically charged identities—remains deeply entrenched in the nation’s political culture. For the past 16 years, tagging has been used as a tool to stifle opposition, discredit social movements, and curtail public critique. This culture, prevalent under the Awami League and recently adopted by other movements, has systematically undermined Bangladesh’s democratic discourse and the principles of social cohesion.

For over a decade and a half, the AL government employed tagging as a political instrument, branding dissenting voices as opponents, traitors, or allies of rival factions. Journalists, activists, and civil society figures who critiqued government policies were often labelled with affiliations to parties like the BNP or Jamaat-e-Islami, framing their criticisms as subversive rather than substantive. By labelling dissent as “anti-state,” tagging became a strategic means of sidelining opposition and discouraging public discourse. This tactic generated an environment of caution, leading individuals and organisations to practice self-censorship to avoid the stigma associated with perceived political allegiances.

Tagging also emerged as a powerful tool against youth-led quota movements, particularly those organised by students advocating for government accountability, transparency, and justice. As these protests gained traction, participants