Prominent figures urge action from political leadership

Prominent figures from various sectors of society on Sunday stressed the urgent need for decisive action from political leadership in the country to address the ongoing issues and pave the way for a stable future.

The came together to voice their concerns over the current political and social crises at a dialogue hosted by the the Centre for Governance Studies (CGS) at the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) auditorium.

The event, moderated by CGS Executive Director Zillur Rahman, featured a panel of high-profile individuals who have been vocal critics of the previous regime and have faced significant challenges as a result of their activism.

The dialogue was focused on sharing experiences of oppression under the past regime, while also outlining a vision for a more inclusive and transparent future.

Zillur Rahman opened the session by reminding attendees of the sacrifices made over the last 15 years to resist authoritarian rule, urging them to continue the fight for justice and democratic governance.

Calls for transparency and reform

Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser to the Ministries of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, underscored the collective suffering endured during the previous regime. While she expressed personal relief at being reunited with her family, she stressed that true justice had yet to be achieved for many. Hasan described how fascist regimes spread corruption across all national institutions, making it difficult for the country to move forward even when the regime is overthrown. She urged the public to remain united and constructive in their efforts to reform the country, emphasising the importance of a clear focus on justice and freedom.

Munira Khan, president of the Fair Election Monitoring Alliance (FEMA), echoed Hasan’s sentiments, stressing the importance of government transparency. She urged the interim administration to communicate more openly about its actions and progress and to remain committed to holding a free and fair election.

According to Munira, proper planning and public engagement were key to resolving the current political crisis.

Kazi Faisal Bin Seraj, country representative for The Asia Foundation, noted the shrinking civic space in Bangladesh, which has created an information vacuum that non-traditional media outlets have filled.

He also called attention to the restrictive legal environment faced by non-governmental organisations and civil society organisations, which he said had further complicated efforts to address pressing issues.

Unity and leadership in the face of adversity

Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar, head of the Election System Reform Commission, highlighted the need for unity among citizens and political actors. He reminded the audience that the opportunity to reshape Bangladesh’s future was rare and that failing to act could leave the country stuck in a cycle of corruption and authoritarianism.

Badiul Alam, who has been discriminated against by both the Awami League and BNP governments, emphasised the importance of checks and balances to prevent the misuse of power.

Barrister Andaleeve Rahman Partho, Chairman of the Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP), stressed the need for reforms that would enable honest and capable individuals to enter politics.

He cautioned that the influx of corrupt figures into the political arena would only perpetuate existing problems.

Partho also criticised the government’s disconnect from the public and called for the implementation of reforms to restore trust in political leadership.

Lingering fears of fascist influence

The speakers were united in their belief that fascist forces continued to influence the political landscape. Didarul Islam Bhuiyan, member of the DSA Victims Network, recounted his experience of being detained for seven hours and accused of treason after criticising relief efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.

He expressed frustration that cases under the controversial Digital Security Act (DSA) had not yet been dropped, despite promises from the interim government. Bhuiyan argued that the DSA, a tool used to suppress dissent, should be abolished.

Zonayed Saki, chief coordinator of Ganosamhati Andolan, warned that fascist forces remained active despite the fall of the previous regime.

He pointed to the violent crackdown on peaceful protests, including a July rally where police attacked students demanding justice.

Saki, who was injured during the incident, said that political reform was necessary to prevent further abuses of power.

Nurul Haque Nur, president of Gono Odhikar Parishad, shared his experience of being blacklisted from television and monitored by government agencies.

He expressed hope for genuine reform under the interim government but criticised its exclusive approach, stating that political parties had not been sufficiently consulted on matters of national importance.

Many speakers echoed concerns about the future of Bangladesh’s democracy, urging the interim government to act swiftly and decisively.  Md Muktadir Rashid, a senior journalist, criticised the state for using divisive labels to silence dissent and for its misuse of the DSA to suppress media freedom. He called for the media to regain its independence and hold those in power accountable.

News Courtesy:

https://www.daily-sun.com/printversion/details/768147