Shawdesh DEsk:
As the nation steps into a new year, the prospects are high for forging an inclusive and resilient national unity that can resist all external conspiracies, and gradually resolve almost all internal problems.
The need for such a unity cannot be more timely than after the tumultous 2024, when Indian media outlets and politicians initiated a massive smear campaign against Bangladesh to retain India’s unlawful interests in the smaller neighbour, and Bangladeshis as a nation are looking to bridge unwarranted divisions.
The Prof Muhammad Yunus-led interim government, formed through a mass uprising against fascist rule, has a daunting task to reform, if not rebuild, the country’s vital institutions. However, by apparently adorning itself with resourceful and honest technocrats to avoid any suspicion of power abuse, the government risks getting isolated from the people and appears to be too weak to enforce legitimate initiatives.
To strengthen national unity, the government must on a priority basis put all its focus on taming consumer inflation, and stemming investors’ rapidly eroding confidence.
Without a question, people’s trust and assistance are required on these two issues. People have to be patient against price hikes caused by powers beyond human control, and also collaborative to identify and nab price manipulators, while also forbearing against sinister but temporary destabilising attempts.
Prof Yunus must have a comprehensive understanding of the hardships people at the bottom of the income ladder are going through due to elevated inflation, and be able to tap into the Bangladeshi inborn sense of unity and forbearance.
People from all strata of lives must also maintain a cool head and take stock of the current volatile situation the country is in. Therefore, they should prudently shelve irrational demands, delay necessary demands for resolving their grievances, and submit their urgent demands through official procedures instead of in road blockades.
Since the fall of dictator Sheikh Hasina on 5 August, repeated road blockades by different groups demanding the government fulfil their wishes, which many a time sound trifling, have painted a bad picture of the country abroad, contributed towards reducing foreign investor confidence, and helped Hasina in conspiring against the government.
Such crisis cannot be allowed to continue in 2025, and people must realise that otherwise they themselves would lose in the not-so-distant future when the country’s business climate will be rapidly deteriorating.
At times, for the greater public interest, the government should also take to stronger means. Otherwise, the dream of building national unity would be shattered by a select few.
Then comes the political parties. Starting from BNP, these parties must resolve their lack of mutual trust, and help the government in implementing reform plans before holding credible elections. BNP has, so far, avoided seeking revenge against arch-foe Awami League, despite the years of oppression inflicted upon by the latter. But it has started doubting Jamaat-e-Islami, BNP’s old ally in the struggle against fascism, and publicly issued angry statements.
