Columnist
Columnist
The very word 'extortion' evokes a mixed feeling. As if it is a folk tradition unique to Bengal, which, through sweat, blood, and the dust of the streets over generations, has taken on a distinct form in today’s modern society. There are numerous types of extortion: hall gate extortion, procession extortion, iftar party extortion, and the latest addition—movement extortion.
The student community is the most vibrant and dynamic part of a nation. Among them resides idealism, the courage to stand against injustice, and a spontaneous attitude to devote themselves to change. They are not merely a specific age group, but can emerge as messengers of transformation. In our country’s history, the student movement has played a glorious role. A glance through the pages of history shows that students led many significant movements in Bangladesh, including the Bengali language movement and the struggle for independence. They were the sentinels of the nation, standing for truth and justice.
In today’s Bangladesh or anywhere in the subcontinent, no one is shocked anymore upon hearing news of rape. Words like “rape”, “gang rape”, “murder after rape”, in newspapers or TV screens, have become familiar entries in our everyday vocabulary. When a rape occurs, blame is placed on the government, law enforcement is put on trial, and some people vent their anger on the administration. There seems to be a kind of self-satisfaction within this act of blame— “Look, we are protesting”, “We are not responsible”.
A kind of panic and adverse reaction have been created among the country’s ordinary savers after the government decided to reduce the profit rates on savings certificates on June 30.
When the July–August mass uprising in 2024 exploded on the political horizon of Bangladesh with the promise of a new dawn, many thought the country was finally on the threshold of real change. Especially with the spontaneous participation of the youth, this movement had inspired a new hope, where the slogan of "change" was not just a word, but a collective dream. But unfortunately, the light of that dream quickly faded into deep darkness. One after another, those who claimed to lead the movement have become involved in such scandals that are not only disappointing but downright questionable.
In June 2025, the Middle East seems to have entered a new, more bloody and uncertain chapter of its prolonged instability. This largest and most comprehensive airstrike in recent memory, carried out by Israel, has not only pushed Iran’s military infrastructure to the brink of destruction, but has also brought about a deep ideological, diplomatic, and political crisis. The significance of this attack is not limited to the number of bombs and missiles—it is a well-planned, multilayered, and symbolic strike that has called into question the existence, identity, and regional leadership claim of Iran’s state system.