We can certainly pat ourselves on the back for being named Country of the Year by The Economist, largely thanks to the efforts of students and the youth who played a crucial role in toppling an autocrat. The recognition isn’t just for a political shift—it’s a nod to the power of Gen Z, whose leadership helped restore the country’s sovereignty and set it on a path to prosperity. However, the magazine also issued a warning: the road ahead will be rocky, economically, politically, and diplomatically.
The Economist pointed out that in 2025, Bangladesh must focus on mending its relationship with India and scheduling elections while ensuring the courts remain neutral and the opposition has ample time to organize. A tall order indeed.
Unsurprisingly, our success has been met with disdain in some quarters across the border, where media outlets have been quick to distort the situation, exaggerating isolated incidents of minority harassment. While such incidents do occur in Bangladesh, they are vastly different from state-sponsored persecution of minorities in India.
We’ve often emphasized that it’s one thing to overthrow a tyrant, but the real challenge lies in achieving the true goals of the revolution: an egalitarian society governed by the rule of law, where everyone is free to pursue their dreams. We want a true republic—one where representatives serve the people, not command them.
However, restoring our republic will not be an easy task. The post-revolution period has proven to be fraught with challenges. We’re still grappling with the fallout from years of regressive governance. The so-called “economic miracle” flaunted by the Hasina regime has been exposed as a myth, with doctored statistics presenting a rosy economic picture.
Internal and external forces are working hard to reinstate the fallen autocrat, with civil service groups agitating for their own causes. Suddenly, demands are emerging from sectors that had been silent for 15 years. The administration’s stability is threatened by these forces, including elements of the “deep state” who seem to be maneuvering from the shadows. This has led to incidents like the fire at the secretariat, which many suspect was part of a sabotage effort.
The question now is how to safeguard our revolution and prevent it from being undone. The only way to ensure that the gains of this movement are preserved is to return power to the people. This means we need real reforms and elections, but we cannot move forward with a shaky foundation. The civil administration, judiciary, and security sectors have all been politicized over the years and need to be restored to their rightful state.
Rebuilding these institutions requires people of strong moral character and untainted reputations. Moreover, we need laws that prevent future governments from unduly influencing state institutions. Holding accountable those responsible for human rights violations and the plundering of national wealth is crucial. This includes not just the autocrat and her cronies, but also those who have committed extrajudicial killings and other crimes during the recent uprisings.
Regarding the Economist’s comment on mending ties with India, let it be clear: Bangladesh has done nothing to harm the relationship. On the contrary, India has been sheltering individuals accused of corruption and human rights abuses, while also allowing anti-Bangladesh activities to take place on its soil. Indian political leaders have even made threatening remarks about Bangladesh since the fall of the autocrat. It’s a shame that India has failed to recognize the will of the Bangladeshi people and to respect the reality of our situation.
In the end, the most important thing for Bangladesh now is national unity. This is the true safeguard for our “Second Victory” and the foundation on which we must rebuild our future.
NEWS DESK
PRESS UPDATE