Legendary politician Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani’s stern voice “Khamush” (silent) is well-known in the political arena. He was a politician of the mass people and known as the "Leader of the Oppressed." Although Bhashani was born in Sirajganj, he shifted to Santosh of Tangail. At the Kagmari Conference in 1957, he was the first person to bid "Walaikum Assalam" to the Pakistani rulers, symbolizing his farewell to them. He had sown the first seeds of Bangladesh’s independence at the Kagmari Conference. He never feared anyone in politics. Abdul Mannan from Tangail served as the home minister during the tenure of the powerful Sheikh Mujibur Rahman government. At that time, people all over the country complained to Maulana Bhashani against the home minister. Later, Bhashani roared at a rally at Paltan Maidan, addressing Sheikh Mujib, "Mujibur, control your Mannan. He will devour everything." If Maulana Bhashani were alive today in post-revolutionary Bangladesh, he would likely say, "Nahid, Akhtar, control your anti-discrimination and coordinators. They are gulping the achievements of your revolution."
On August 3 last year, the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement announced one point demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her cabinet. Anti-Discrimination Student Movement coordinator Nahid Islam made this announcement at the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka. Addressing the gathered students and the public, he said, “The Prime Minister and her cabinet must resign. The non-cooperation movement will continue until the government steps down.” He urged the army and security forces saying, “The people have rejected this government. Do not support them. Support the people.” On that day, Nahid Islam became the Pied Piper of Hamelin among the people, and his call shook the government’s base. The result was the victory of August 5. This success was a collective effort of all levels of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, its coordinators, leaders, activists, and the common people. For this reason, I pay Lal Salam (red salute) to all fighters of this revolution. Now, Nahid and Akhtar, along with their revolutionary comrades, are organizing a moderate political party named the National Citizen Party. This party has launched its journey through a grand inauguration. This youth-driven revolutionary party has raised high hopes among the country’s people. The National Citizen Party’s first task is to organize the party. A firm directive must be in place that no party member should engage in corrupt practices like leaders and activists of other political parties. According to reports from across the country, some tout individuals are doing misdeeds in the names of anti-discrimination and coordinators which were regular malpractices of the Awami League, Chhatra League, and Jubo League men. These opportunists’ touts are seen in police stations, sub-registrar offices, AC land offices, and district commissioner offices. Apart from this, mob violence, looting of houses, and unlawful activities have been carried out under the leadership of these touts. Activists of the Chhatra League and Jubo League are joining with them. They are dominating in the city and rural areas and interfering in local arbitrations. The country’s people now respect them with fear. For this reason, the National Citizen Party must issue a strict warning to these touts. A clear announcement should come from the party so that no one misuses the names of anti-discrimination or coordinators for personal gain at government and private offices. Otherwise, these touts would tarnish the image of the revolutionaries.
The new party must move forward with two key objectives. One of these is pressuring the government to address livelihood issues. Controlling the rising prices of essential commodities, addressing social problems and maintaining the law and order must be placed on the government. It will have to present the overall problems of the people. When people see that this party truly represents their interests, their trust in the leadership of the new party will increase. On the other hand, the revolutionaries remember that the interim government is the result of their movement. If the government fails, the revolution itself will also fail. The hope of the countrymen will be ruined. For this reason, the government must restore law and order. It should assist the police forces in overcoming past trauma. Crimes such as theft, robbery, mugging, kidnapping, sexual violence, and child abuse have increased alarmingly throughout the country. Even 8-year-old child Achhia is not safe from these heinous criminals. This new party can urge the people to wage a social movement to stop these social crimes. Law and order cannot be controlled solely by relying on the police system without a social revolution.
The country's economy is in a dire situation. In the last seven months, there has been no public-private investment in the country. Especially, in the private sector, businessmen and industrialists are sitting idle. Many garment, textile, paper, and steel factories have shut down, leading to labour unrest. Workers are blocking roads in protest. This stagnant economic situation will hinder democracy. Economic stability is a big auxiliary force for democratic progress. Despite the previous fascist government’s looting, the interim government has not taken visible positive steps to revive the economy. Even a meeting with the industrialists has not been held. How the country's economy will return to normal, how businessmen will be free from fear, how investment in the private sector will increase, and how new employment will be created--no visible initiatives have been seen so far to address these issues. Customers of vulnerable banks are panicked due to looting by the previous government. Many branches of these banks are not able to give money as per the demand of customers. One branch in Dhaka’s Satmasjid Road denied funds to a seriously ill customer who needed his fixed deposit money for medical treatment abroad. The bank is not even accepting refund applications. In this situation, the sick person is getting sicker because of the grief of money. There are many such problems in the baking system. No matter how big the problem, the solution is possible if there is a will. If the revolutionaries exchange views with business leaders, understand their concerns, and urge the government to take necessary steps, private investment will revive in the country. The national economy will be vibrant only if the private sector regains momentum. There will be new employment. Stability will return to the unemployed people.
The July Revolution overthrew the fascists. The country’s 17 crore people participated in the movement. Remember that, the old regime remains in the country. Though defeated rulers have fled abroad, their local associates are still active. They held power for 16 consecutive years. They amassed wealth. They are continuing extortion and illegal activities. Many of them have joined the new political landscape. Parts of the bureaucracy remain under their influence. Additionally, these forces have learned a critical lesson that mobilizing students and the public can topple a powerful government. If instability persists among the countrymen, followers of the fascists will exploit it to regain power. That opportunity cannot be given to them in any way. The revolutionaries must take responsibility not only for state reformations and elections but also for maintaining peace in society. To bring the country back to a positive trend, and to implement the promise of the revolutionaries, every revolutionary must have a clean image to the countrymen. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) once refrained from eating sweets before advising others to do the same. One must first follow their principles before expecting others to follow them. Otherwise, none will obey this order. "There is no final word in politics"-we must get out of such self-deception of politics. Healthy, beautiful and people-oriented politics should be established in the country for a better future.
* Writer: Executive Editor, Bangladesh Pratidin. He can be reached at [email protected]
