Politics and Bureaucracy
The crisis born out of shrinking of democracy
"Government of the people, by the people, for the people"—this famous definition of democracy was articulated by Abraham Lincoln in his Gettysburg Address on November 19, 1863, in Pennsylvania. This definition is widely recognized. The fundamental principles of democracy can be precisely stated as respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, the conduct of free and fair elections, a pluralistic system of political parties and organizations, separation of powers, and independence of governing institutions.
Administrative depoliticization: A prerequisite for breaking the stagnation
According to modern political science, a state is formed based on four essential elements: independence and sovereignty, a defined territory, population, and government. These components are interrelated, and without any one of them, a modern and complete state cannot exist. Among these, the weakest and only changeable element is the government. The government is not the owner of the country; rather, it is a trustee responsible for running the state on behalf of its people. Governments come and go, but the other three components of the state remain unchanged. Whether a government stays in power or not depends on the will of the people. If citizens become dissatisfied with the government, they can change even the most powerful administration through elections.
Will so-called ‘Tawhidi Janata’ become a curse for interim government?
On the night of Wednesday, March 5, news spread that Dhaka University employee Mostafa Asif Arnab had been arrested for harassing a female student over her attire. In response, a group of people, under the banner of the so-called ‘Tawhidi Janata,’ gathered at Shahbagh police station, causing a commotion—videos of which circulated on social media. They continued their protest until 9:30 AM on Thursday, demanding Arnab’s release.
The state of political activities
On March 3rd, around 10 PM, two members or supporters of Jamaat-e-Islami, Nizam Uddin and Abu Saleh, were beaten to death in the Sonkhola area of Eochia Union, Satkania Upazila, Chattogram, after being declared 'robbers' via the mosque's loudspeaker. It is believed that they had a weapon, which is suspected to be a looted weapon from a police station after the fall of the Awami League government. The weapons were not limited to just one; the fugitives, who escaped, also had weapons, and five villagers were injured due to random gunfire.
Women's position today is the result of historical continuity
Now, the patriarchal attitude has entered into the psyche of many women. Even though our two women have been prime ministers more than once, the women of this country have not been very well-off. This is because those two women are actually patriarchal. Their bodies are of women; but their brains are men. Many of our powerful women also have this patriarchal mentality. Therefore, the position of all women cannot be judged by the power of two or four women. Our ordinary women are still victims of neglect, deprivation, and various oppressions. Now, it is increasing day by day.
Let the vow of establishing people’s rights be main commitment of government
As we all know, in a general sense, the rule of law is the main priority of law. The basic essence of the rule of law is the absence of arbitrariness in governance. It is well-established as an overall process and a practical matter. In establishing the rule of law, it is absolutely essential that the attitude of the legislators be in favour of the hopes and aspirations of the people. The law will be the criterion, not individuals, institutions, or parties, for determining every issue of state governance. All citizens of the state, regardless of religion, caste, tribe, class, party, or sect, are equal in the eyes of the law. Just as no citizen of the state can remain outside the purview of the law exerting his own influence, no citizen should be considered inferior in the eyes of the law. Every citizen of the state must have the opportunity to face the law for his actions and also to seek refuge in the law for his rights and demands.
How much one should expect from a new political party?
A new political party has emerged from the streets. This party was born under the leadership of young individuals who spearheaded the July mass uprising. Now, a critical question arises: Is this truly a political party? How well does its agenda align with the political aspirations of the people of Bangladesh?
Cease the 'Mob Devils'
Since taking office, the interim government has been dealing with mobs and protests almost daily. However, its success in handling such situations has been questionable, with the latest example unfolding at the Amar Ekushey Book Fair. On Monday, February 10, a group of enraged individuals targeted writer Shatabdi Bhav at the fair, accusing Sabyasachi Publications of displaying books by the "controversial" author Taslima Nasrin. The police had to escort Shatabdi Bhav out of the premises, and he was forced to apologize publicly. Following this, the stall was temporarily shut down. The Bangla Academy later stated that the stall was reopened, but a final decision would be made after a task force meeting.
Tarique Rahman rules people’s heart as a hero
President Ziaur Rahman founded the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on September 1, 1978, in a time of national crisis. The establishment of the BNP at that historical juncture was in response to the nation’s needs. It played a crucial role in the restoration of democratic politics and filled the political vacuum at the time. To understand the necessity and underlying purpose of the establishment of the BNP, it is essential to discuss the context in which the party was formed.
Plummeting vegetable prices: Farmers in distress
In the past calendar year, vegetable production was disrupted due to prolonged droughts, followed by floods and excessive rainfall. As a result, prices soared abnormally. However, thanks to the relentless efforts of farmers, production has reached an expected level. Now, it is the peak season for vegetables, and markets are filled with an abundance of winter vegetables. Vendors have set up stalls showcasing a diverse array of vegetables, and supply is increasing daily. Consequently, vegetable prices are gradually declining, making them affordable for consumers.
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