Dr. Md. Nurul Islam :
The revolution of August 5, 2024, led by students and the masses in Bangladesh, has set the stage for building an exploitation-free, egalitarian, and corruption-free democracy.
In this nation of nearly 170 million people, where half the population is young, the aspiration to create a new Bangladesh has been reignited.
The sacrifices of 800 martyrs and 20,000 severely injured youth have laid the foundation for a truly independent and sovereign nation, one striving for economic prosperity, voting rights, and freedom of speech.
The fall of dictatorship has opened the door to creating a welfare state focused on social security and equality. In contrast to the authoritarian regime that seized power, suppressed opposition, and disenfranchised its people, a welfare state ensures comprehensive social security for its citizens.
A true welfare state, as defined by the United Nations, provides food, shelter, healthcare, education, and guarantees social security against unemployment, illness, widowhood, or other hardships.
The foundation of the modern welfare state was shaped by British economist William Beveridge in his 1942 Beveridge Report, which advocated for social insurance, full employment, public health services, old-age pensions, and welfare programs.
Many developed nations, including the USA, UK, Denmark, Sweden, and Japan, have since adopted welfare state models tailored to their specific needs, and Bangladesh now seeks to follow a similar path.
Between 2009 and 2024, the Sheikh Hasina government held three illegitimate elections, stripping Bangladeshis of their wealth, rights, and freedom. The Awami League amassed significant wealth while using law enforcement to suppress opposition and silence dissent. Public institutions deteriorated, the cost of essentials soared, and state funds were looted, all under the guise of democracy.
In July and August 2024, widespread protests erupted, initially over the 56% job quota in the Public Service Commission. Graduates, burdened by unemployment, rallied against a system that left more than half of them jobless.
According to a May 2024 report, around 2.6 million educated individuals were unemployed, though the true figure may be even higher. The movement grew into broader unrest against discrimination, resulting in the collapse of Sheikh Hasina’s regime.
For 15 years, the Public Service Commission’s curriculum heavily favored science graduates, making it difficult for arts, social science, and commerce graduates to secure jobs.
The unfair allocation of marks for oral exams further marginalized talented candidates. To build a new Bangladesh, it’s crucial to reform the examination process by introducing a fair, universal curriculum that ensures qualified candidates are selected on merit, fostering a more equitable and just system.
Despite 14 years under the 2010 National Education Policy, Bangladesh’s education system has largely failed to achieve its objectives. A lack of accountability, inadequate investment (only 1.5-2% of national income), and insufficient teacher incentives have contributed to this stagnation.
Although free textbooks, new buildings, and teacher appointments have been implemented, the quality of education has been neglected. For instance, the National University still relies on a syllabus from 2011, leaving students to depend on generic guides rather than gaining meaningful knowledge.
Efforts to reduce session backlogs, like the Cross Program, have only worsened the situation by prioritizing frequent exams over genuine learning. A critical issue is the political appointments of university staff, with loyalty to the ruling party often outweighing merit. This has resulted in a decline in intellectual independence and educational standards.
Meanwhile, private universities have grown rapidly but have not significantly improved the overall educational landscape. Student leadership development has also been hampered by the lack of student council elections, the occupation of campuses by 2 political groups, and the absence of cultural activities.
To build a better future for Bangladesh, comprehensive reforms are needed to restore educational quality, promote intellectual neutrality, and ensure merit-based appointments in higher education.
Over the past 15 years, Bangladesh’s judiciary has become highly politicized, functioning as an arm of the ruling Awami League. Judges, the attorney general, and the bar association have been swayed by political bias, undermining the justice system.
Appointments should be made based on merit, neutrality, and legal competence to restore fairness. Law enforcement agencies, including the police, RAB, and Border Guard, have similarly become tools of political repression, focusing on silencing opposition rather than ensuring law and order.
Detaining opposition leaders in secret facilities and engaging in human rights violations have further deepened the crisis. The controversial role of the RAB in extrajudicial killings and disappearances demands its abolition, while those involved in abuses must face prosecution. To ensure justice, special commissions should investigate events like the 2009 BDR killings and election rigging in 2014, 2018, and 2024.
Reforming the election process under impartial commissioners is essential to restore citizens’ right to vote. The National Parliament must represent the people’s will and foster constructive governance. Under Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh’s democratic institutions have eroded, with the prime ministerial system concentrating power and stripping people of their rights. To rebuild democracy, a shift to a presidential system with a bicameral parliament is proposed. The upper house (Senate) would oversee the president, while the lower house (National Parliament) would handle lawmaking.
This system would create a balance of power between the president and prime minister, preventing authoritarianism and establishing a fair and non-discriminatory welfare state. Constitutional reform, led by experts, is crucial for safeguarding democracy and ensuring a more just political future for Bangladesh.
The last 15 years in Bangladesh have been marked by rampant corruption, economic mismanagement, and money laundering, with figures like S Alam and Salman F Rahman allegedly siphoning billions from banks under the guise of loans. Corruption inflated the costs of mega projects, and government tenders were awarded based on party loyalty, not merit.
Despite emerging from dictatorship, the country remains bound by the networks of corruption and exploitation established during the previous regime. To honor the sacrifices of those who fought for change, Bangladesh must embark on a path of true reform. This means dismantling corruption, ensuring fair wealth distribution, and upholding the democratic rights of the people.
Genuine elections, an improved education system, and a government committed to integrity are vital for building a new, equitable Bangladesh. Reforms must focus on social and economic security, reducing inequality, advancing education and communication systems, and ensuring healthcare and peace.
The atrocities of the past, especially those of July and August, must be thoroughly investigated, and justice must be served. A government truly representing the people is needed to build a welfare state that guarantees a fair and dignified life for all, including the elderly, the unemployed, and the disadvantaged. The task is complex, but with corruption-free leadership and active citizen participation, a prosperous and just Bangladesh can be realized.
(The author is a Professor of the Institute of Social Welfare and Research, University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000)