The brutality of an autocratic regime which tolerated little dissent gravely undermined its legitimacy. Its relentless kleptocracy exposed a capacity for private greed and theft that had no limits, turning it into a criminal state. The surrender of a proud nation’s sovereignty to a giant neighbour for its guarantee of an illicit political status quo ultimately proved untenable.

The historical predicament of Bangladesh stemmed from the frailties of the leaders who came to rule the country. The political system had become too corrosive to........

© South China Morning Post