Political Interference and the Decline of Bangladesh Armed Forces: A Historical Analysis

Reading Time: 3 minutes The Bangladesh Armed Forces, forged in the crucible of the 1971 Liberation War, were envisioned as a professional, disciplined, and apolitical institution dedicated to safeguarding the nation. Yet, over the decades, successive political parties have systematically undermined its growth, autonomy, and professionalism. From purges and enforced disappearances to politicised promotions and allegations of foreign collusion, the military has frequently been used as a political instrument, weakening both its cohesion and its operational effectiveness. In the immediate aftermath of independence, the Awami League under Sheikh Mujibur Rahman sought to consolidate control over the newly formed armed forces. While the contributions of Mukti Bahini veterans were rightly recognised, officers who were perceived as neutral or insufficiently loyal to the party were sidelined or removed. The early military hierarchy was reshaped along political and ideological lines, favouring Awami League loyalists over professional merit. Civilian leaders exercised extensive control over