Nation building- the prime message of this year’s Independence Day

Dr. Forqan Uddin Ahmed :

Bangladesh gained independence in 1971. Though we got geographical freedom, our economic freedom did not come. Fifty-three years of independence have passed. We are stuck in that trap.

The month of July was a historic turning point for the Bengali nation. As a result of the anti-discrimination movement, a new Bangladesh has emerged, free of long-standing oppression and corruption. It would not be wrong to interpret this as a second independence narrative.

The student movement was a historic movement. In this movement, the exploitation, oppression, and tyranny of the autocratic rulers have ended, but the country and the nation are still waiting to be free from conspiracy.

Will there be peace for the people? After the end of the long-term fascist government, on August 5, an interim government was formed under the leadership of Professor Dr. Yunus and assumed the responsibility of running the country.

Energized by the sensational motto of 2024 and nationalism spirit of mind by the youth, this government started the journey with the promise of rebuilding the country in the atmosphere of the joyous festival of the second independence.

Many things may not be possible overnight, because there are piles of corruption in every sector of the country.

So removing the accumulated garbage will be a great job. To face the challenge, this government has to move forward with strong determination.

From 2000 to 2024, Bangladesh has experienced significant change, marked by political shifts, economic growth, and social advancements while facing new and ongoing challenges.

In the early 2000s, political instability was prevalent due to the rivalry between the Awami League (AL) led by Sheikh Hasina and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) led by Khaleda Zia.

This rivalry led to strikes, violence, and political deadlock. Economically, Bangladesh shifted from being one of the poorest nations in the early 2000s to achieving impressive growth averaging 6-8% annually from 2007 onwards.

Key factors in this growth included the booming garment industry, remittances from workers abroad, and increased investments in infrastructure. The textile sector significantly contributed to export earnings and employment, lifting millions out of poverty.

The emphasis on energy, transport, and digital connectivity further boosted economic progress, although challenges like corruption and income inequality persisted.

Sheikh Hasina’s government faced accusations of authoritarianism, especially following controversial elections in 2014 and 2018 but remained focused on stability and development.

The resignation and flight of Sheikh Hasina may represent a watershed in Bangladesh’s political history.

These events point to a new phase of social and political upheavals that may influence the future of the nation.

Bangladesh today has a formidable task in restoring public confidence and establishing an open, democratic administration.

This analysis demonstrates how social and economic unrest, coupled with harsh government suppression and pressure from abroad, can trigger significant political shifts and open the door for important reforms.

Bangladesh is about to enter a new age of transformation that will affect the nation as well as the rest of the world.

Our belief is that the fascist government that has ruled Bangladesh for the past ten years is primarily a form of constitutional dictatorship or fascism. Therefore, without making significant amendments to the current constitution, it is difficult to establish a liberal democratic system.

In light of this, the Interim Government ought to expedite the constitutional reformation process by holding elections to create a Constituent Assembly as soon as possible. The duty of changing the constitution to address significant challenges should fall to this council.

A couple of the most important reforms should be limiting the prime minister’s term to two terms in order to prevent an unfair allocation of power and guaranteeing MPs the freedom to vote in parliament without following party lines.

Once more, the constitutional council ought to investigate any legislation that might be added to the constitution that would compel the political parties to engage in internal democracy.

It goes without saying that a party that does not uphold democracy inside its own ranks will impede democratic practices throughout the nation.

It is a pity that instead of giving vigorous initiative and leadership the leaders of our country are indulging in corruption and malpractices are thus retarding the proper economic growth of the country in all spheres of life.

The existence of local development authority in the villages is highly beneficial to the all-round awakening of the villagers and to nation building activities in all spheres-political, social, economic.

It provides a great motivation to all villagers who can exercise an acute sense of responsibility even when not sufficiently educated in urban standards.

However, the villagers are actuated with new zeal for social development program of present government. It is necessary to provide adequate funds so that infrastructures of development are built up.

The government has to induce an element of more purposeful planning for the expansion of infrastructure in different spheres of social development so that the march to social progress in the countryside is accelerated.

Besides, the inequality between the elite classes and the poorer sections has to be reduced by removing the regional imbalances in respect of economic conditions and educational opportunities.

The economic and cultural disparities are the causes of unrest and violence in different areas and account for the growth of divisive forces that stand in the way of uniform and consistent social changes and development.

Finally, we can say that the interim government of Dr. Yunus will be able to handle this dire situation in Bangladesh. We believe that the nation will be trauma-free under his able and capable leadership.

However, we must prioritize the following sectors for immediate relief and to address potential issues: First of all, law and order must be maintained, transparency and accountability must be ensured in all areas.

Besides, attention should be given to infrastructure reforms by giving priority to the education, health, and economic sectors.

It should be mentioned that, in this situation, all ongoing initiatives taken by the past government and committees ought to be disbanded, and appropriate adjustments and modifications ought to be made.

In addition, it is imperative to address the underlying causes of syndicated corruption in all these industries, including information technology, gas, power, and water.

There should be greater market control over the source of food and other commodities.

It is recommended that Social Security Committees need to be established at the union, upazila, and local government levels to promote rural development and peacekeeping.

Various sub-committees can be formed for social development under the banner of social security council. In this case, district- and upazila-based monitoring and supervisory committee are very important and above all, there is a need to form a high powered security council at the national level.

If it is well enforced and become effective, Bangladesh will be trauma-free, and the nation will breathe a sigh of relief. Above all, a new path of progress will be revealed by keeping the flag of a peaceful and humane Bangladesh high. This is the expectation of the common people from the new government.

The importance and significance of Independence Day is immense in our national life.

This day is not only remarkable in its historical significance, but also as a day to express one’s firm conviction in the oath to be a new nation.

On this day, the Bengalis came together in an irresistible struggle to get rid of the oppression and exploitation that the Pakistani ruling class had inflicted on the Bengalis. Forgetting all the sorrows of the past, we have to move forward with new expectations in the future.

Finally, we can say that, after 53 years of Bangladesh, we have achieved the independence after the long struggle. Now it is the time for fulfilling the people’s aspiration by people’s sovereignty’.

The prime issue of interim government is to materialize our youth’s dream under the eligible leadership of Professor Dr. Yunus, the Hon’ble chief adviser of Bangladesh. People were misguided for a long time by the so called opportunists, fraud and fraudulent.

People are now in the real world free from the world of hallucination and falsehood. They are united now to build the nation with true ideas, zeal and sense of patriotism.

The independence day 1971 also spoke against protest, suppression, corruption, exploitation and injustice against the then rulers. There were lapses of integrations of peoples’ freedom and sovereignty. Peoples’ desire was valueless during that time. So we see the similarities of 1971 independence with the uprising of July 2024.

From the spirit of emancipation, we do not see any difference. But from fascism point of view, the July uprising gave us a new independence. Is July uprising 2024 an echo of protest against discrimination, injustice and fascism? Yes, that is proved by the course of its action, which reminded the nation as its 2nd independence.

So establishing discrimination free society is the message of national independence day 2025. National unity and integrity is the key to our independence. Again we can say that the nation building is the prime message of this year’s independence day.

(The writer is former Deputy Director General, Bangladesh Ansar and VDP and Rotary Learning
Facilitator, Rotary Club, Dhaka Elite.)