Following the end of the authoritarian Awami League government, the rise in illegal occupation, partisanship, and extortion in the sectors previously controlled by the fallen government and its leaders is completely contrary to the vision of a "New Bangladesh," commented Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB). The organisation has also called upon all stakeholders, including political parties, to understand and practice the underlying values of the anti-discrimination movement at both party and institutional levels.
TIB’s Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman stated that current culture of partisanship, illegal occupation and extortion spreading across the country represents a betrayal of the dream of a ‘New Bangladesh’, reads a press release.
He remarked, “The anti-discrimination movement, which championed equality and justice, led to the collapse of authoritarianism and opened up unprecedented opportunities for state reform and the establishment of a new political culture in the ‘New Bangladesh’. However, those who view the gains achieved through the unprecedented bloodshed and sacrifice of students and the people as merely their own political victory, while engaging in partisanship, illegal occupation, and extortion, pose a grave threat to the movement’s core spirit.
“The students envisioned a ‘New Bangladesh’—a well-governed, democratic nation free from coercion and all forms of abuse of power. Yet, since the fall of authoritarianism, we have seen a troubling rise in partisanship, extortion, illegal occupation, and efforts to dominate the political landscape nationwide. Those seizing this moment to ‘fill the void’ left by the Awami League leaders and their affiliates, who held power for fifteen years, with a mindset of ‘It’s our time now,’ are following a self-destructive path.”
The TIB head said, “Different groups appear to be undermining the dream of a ‘New Bangladesh’, born from the bloody student uprising and promising a non-oppressive, illegal occupation-free nation. Rampant partisanship, illegal occupation, and extortion have emerged across various sectors—land, businesses, leases, public transport—along with unhealthy competition for positions within government institutions.”
“The dreams of a ‘New Bangladesh’, which sprang from the spontaneous movement of the people and transcended caste, religion, gender, class, and occupation, are contradicted by this. It also threatens to nullify the sacrifices made during the movement.,” he added.
“We are concerned about the tendency of some people to impose a new form of discriminatory social system from the wreckage of fallen authoritarianism, which is in direct contradiction to the core values of the anti-discrimination movement,” the anti-corruption watchdog organisation head said.
Dr. Zaman further said, “All parties, including political organisations, should learn from this movement. The fall of an authoritarian government should not be seen as an opportunity for personal, party, organizational, or collective self-interest.”
“No one has the right to undermine the new era that promises to build a state system ensuring equal rights for all citizens. This is the time to transition from an emphasis on state authority to an emphasis on duty towards the state. Failure to move beyond the old practices of "Now is our time for partisanship, illegal occupation, and extortion" and to set an example of people-centered politics implies no significant ideological difference from the former ruling party.”
