- Martial Law: Martial law refers to the imposition of military control over civilian government and the legal system. During martial law, the military takes direct control of the country, suspending or restricting civil liberties and transferring power from civilian authorities to military commanders.
In the history of Bangladesh, martial law has been declared multiple times. The first instance was in 1958 when General Ayub Khan imposed martial law and established a military regime. Subsequently, martial law was also declared in 1969, 1975, and 1982.
The most significant and controversial period of martial law in Bangladesh occurred in 1975 when General Ziaur Rahman seized power through a military coup. This marked the beginning of a prolonged military rule that lasted until 1990. During this period, the military had extensive control over the country, and civil liberties were curtailed.