State and Politics
Unofficial manifesto of the July mass uprising
If a manifesto expresses a person’s ideological stance, provides a theoretical analysis of how to solve a problem, or outlines a roadmap for progress based on the will or aspirations of the people or the time, then do the words of Abu Saeed (2001–16 July 2024) not embody the very spirit of a manifesto? Let us see what Abu Saeed, a student of the English department at Begum Rokeya University, wrote. Addressing Shaheed Shamsuzzoha (1934–1969), martyr of the 1969 mass uprising, Begum Rokeya University student Abu Sayeed wrote in a status: “Sir! We need you desperately right now, Sir! Everyone from your time is dead, but you remain immortal even in death. Your grave is our inspiration. We are illuminated by your spirit.”
Has interim govt actually become a ‘government’ in a year
Just two days before the anniversary of the July uprising, on the afternoon of August 3, at a rally organised at the Central Shaheed Minar in the capital to declare the manifesto of the 'Second Republic' or New Bangladesh, several leaders of the National Citizens' Party (NCP) expressed discontent and criticism over unfulfilled expectations in various sectors over the past year. Yet the NCP is considered the main stakeholder or participant in the interim government. The government itself has, at various times, indicated its special preference or support for this party. One reason may be that the NCP was formed through the initiative of some youths who were at the forefront of the July uprising.
July 36: The chronicle of an unprecedented mass uprising
On August 5, 2024, through an unprecedented mass movement, the long-standing fascist autocratic regime of Hasina came to an end. The students and the public referred to this movement as the “July Movement”. This was because the movement intensified throughout the month of July. Even after the end of July, the protesters continued to count days as July 32, July 33, July 34, July 35. This was because August is the month of mourning for the Awami League. The protesters wanted instead to keep alive the memory of the martyrs of July. Every day, countless people across various regions of Bangladesh were being killed by law enforcement agencies. The government's repression eventually reached an extreme level. In an attempt to suppress the movement, the government initiated a horrific massacre. The Awami League government killed nearly 1,500 people. The sight of such a procession of death transformed the student protests into a mass uprising. Sheikh Hasina, who had been in power for over 15 years, fled to India on t
Milestone Tragedy: Expressions of grief and some observations
July 21, 2025, Monday, was a sunny day in the Bengali month of Srabon. But at noon that day, a tragic crash or accident of a Bangladesh Air Force fighter jet at the campus of Milestone School and College turned the day into a national tragedy for Bangladesh. In an instant, the Diabari campus in Uttara seemed to transform into an unknown battlefield, where no one was an enemy of another. Many children, who had packed their bags to return home, lost their lives. Many parents lost their little princes and princesses forever. The pilot of the aircraft, promising Air Force officer Flight Lieutenant Towkir Islam, also perished. So far, 34 people have died in the accident, most of them school children.
Why participants of mass uprising turning into extortionists
In Bangladesh, the story of state development nowadays is heard in newspaper pages, television announcements or from the mouths of leaders—“The country has changed,” “Development is visible,” “The dream Padma Bridge has been built,” or “Digital Bangladesh is a reality.” While these words sound striking, in reality, a cruel question also arises—who are the beneficiaries of this development? And by development, do we only mean buildings, bridges, or GDP, or is there any standard for people and humanity as well?
Upcoming Reforms for Financial Discipline and MPS H1FY26
Bangladesh Bank (BB) organized a consultation meeting on Monetary Policy Statement (MPS) H1FY26 recently unveiled several elements of policy measures for the upcoming MPS. The discussion upstretched several concerns about the high policy rate for long, squeezed the credit facilities for the private sector, especially for CMSMEs, high Non-Performing Loans (NPL), sluggish investment, new investment is in wait and see while existing investment is in dilemma.
Small countries developing new strategies of war courage and power
Military power is traditionally understood through air forces, tanks, warships, and vast armies. However, this notion is now changing. Because missile and drone capabilities, along with the mental resilience of the people, have emboldened weaker nations, and the new strategic challenges they are posing against powerful states are becoming evident in the course of subsequent events.
Extortion: A postmodern revolutionary culture
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.
China-India relations in new world order
Everyone knows that a new world order has been formed. In this new system, the position of each country—who is forming new friendships with whom, who is supporting whom militarily and economically—is being re-shaped. For instance, the long-standing bond between Europe and the United States saw a crack, particularly after Donald Trump became President. Their relationship is now more commercial and win-win rather than cordial. Their common interest is in standing against socialism and maintaining Western influence. Beyond that, the blind support the United States had previously given to Europe, and the various benefits extended, were withdrawn by the Trump administration. This has put Europe in a somewhat difficult position, and Europe is now busy rapidly increasing its military strength. That is, it no longer wants to be fully dependent on the United States as before. As a result, alongside the United States, Russia, and China, Europe is likely to emerge as a visible military power soon.
Why is embezzled money not being returned
The interim government has published a white paper on the corruption that took place during the Awami League’s tenure. The white paper states that over the past 15 years, $234 billion have been illegally laundered from Bangladesh abroad through 28 different means. Eminent individuals of the country prepared this white paper in a very short time. This valuable white paper is full of speculative information and inconsistencies. These capable experts described the history of corruption in a 400-page white paper within three months; yet, even after six months of publishing the white paper, the government has not managed to detain a single thief. The Awami League government had started catching thieves even without a white paper, and the corruption records of IGP Benazir Ahmed and National Board of Revenue’s Matiur Rahman were widely reported in the media. But have only Benazir and Matiur stolen the entire $234 billion? If not, there must be more thieves.