Students drive Bangladesh’s quest for a democratic rebirth
NN Desk :
On a recent evening, in a makeshift office where construction was still underway, a group of university students gathered with a vision to shape Bangladesh’s future.
Just months after overthrowing Sheikh Hasina’s authoritarian regime, they are determined to rebuild the nation as a robust democracy.
Their mission is ambitious: to establish a system with free and fair elections, promote social justice, and create safeguards against autocracy. “Our political power is in a very fluid form right now,” said Arif Sohel, a 26-year-old student organiser. “We want a country that is stable and will progress.”
The task ahead is daunting. Bangladesh, born in violence 53 years ago, has endured political turbulence ever since. The interim government, an unusual mix of seasoned experts and determined students, is racing against time to implement reforms amidst pressing challenges.
One of the primary goals is updating election rules to ensure fairness. Ali Riaz, a political scientist heading the constitutional reform commission, aims to restore the document to its original ideals of “equality, dignity, and social justice.” Over a dozen amendments under previous regimes had eroded these principles, steering the country towards autocracy.
The reform agenda also includes tackling corruption. Iftekhar Zaman, the head of Transparency International Bangladesh, is working to strengthen the anti-corruption commission. “All that’s needed is to get the right people in the right places,” he said, though he acknowledged the enormity of the task.
Economic pressures are mounting. Double-digit inflation has hit citizens hard, with long queues for subsidised essentials like oil and rice. Meanwhile, tensions with neighbouring India have escalated, adding to the government’s challenges. The interim administration recently requested India extradite Sheikh Hasina to face trial, further straining relations.
In the interim, the government’s focus has shifted to immediate, visible reforms. Electoral processes are being revised to include broader participation, such as allowing the Bangladeshi diaspora to vote and updating voter rolls. Efforts are also underway to boost women’s representation in governance and create job opportunities for the youth, who comprise nearly 80% of the 171 million population.
“What we are trying to do is create a new platform for politics in Bangladesh,” said Asiful Hoque Robin, a student at Independent University. “If not for us, then for the next generation.”
The students have been instrumental in shaping the interim government’s policies. Mahfuj Alam, a key student adviser to Nobel laureate and interim leader Muhammad Yunus, described his role in rallying support for the uprising.
“The idea of abolishing a fascist regime and creating a ‘new political settlement’ was my wording,” he said. Alam, 26, emphasised the importance of balancing short-term gains with long-term reforms to ensure sustainable progress.
Muhammad Yunus, an 84-year-old microfinance pioneer, leads the interim government with the full support of the people. While he has faced criticism for the slow pace of reforms, Yunus remains optimistic. “It might take several years, but the students will be able to pull off what they call ‘Bangladesh 2.0,'” he said.
However, the road ahead is fraught with challenges. Protests continue to disrupt daily life in Dhaka, and political tensions remain high. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), a major political force, has criticised the interim government for excluding it from reform commissions and delaying elections. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has called for immediate elections, arguing that an unelected government lacks legitimacy.
Despite these criticisms, the interim government’s six reform commissions are making steady progress. Experts and student representatives are focusing on overhauling key institutions such as the judiciary, police, and public administration. These commissions aim to lay the groundwork for a more equitable and transparent political framework.
Relations with India have also posed significant hurdles. Anti-India sentiments have simmered since Sheikh Hasina fled to India, and recent diplomatic tensions have further complicated matters. Nonetheless, efforts are underway to mend ties, with both nations emphasising the importance of cooperation beyond individual political parties.
For students like Nishita Zaman Niha, the only female representative on one of the commissions, the experience is transformative. While she aspires to pursue higher education abroad, her immediate focus is on contributing to the nation’s rebuilding process. “What we are doing now will define the future of Bangladesh,” she said.
Bangladesh’s journey toward democracy is a work in progress. The interim government, backed by the energy and commitment of its youth, is taking bold steps to ensure lasting change. As they navigate the complexities of reform, these students are shaping a political legacy that promises a brighter future for generations to come.