How to overcome crisis?

Dr. Enayet Karim: The situation of the country is still critical with the quota reform movement. This is the biggest shock in the 75-year political experience of Bangladesh Awami League. In a media interview, veteran political thinker, theorist and politician Badruddin Umar identified this event as the most massive mass uprising since 1952. I don’t have any knowledge, wisdom, experience like him. However, I think it is not the time to label it as a ‘mass coup’. Further theoretical research and analysis is needed to consider this, which will certainly happen in the future. However, as a student movement, I consider it to be the most intense post-independence period.
What is our way out of this crisis? First of all, it must be remembered that no student movement in the world has ever been stopped by force or intimidation. The surprising thing is that the government is uncomfortable at home and abroad due to delay in decision-making or not considering it seriously.
I would like to say something about the measures which, if taken hastily, may bring some relief.

1. It is very necessary to deeply analyze the video footages which have gone viral in the country and abroad. There are at least 4 to 5 videos where it is clear how some law enforcement personnel are shooting and killing people. Why these members of the law enforcement force fired inhumanely and their identities can be revealed to the public. It is imperative that they be brought to justice now. This initiative should now be given utmost importance.
2. It is very important to bring back the learning environment. The government should try their best to get the students back to class. This requires a peaceful environment. Right now, as many students as are arrested across the country, the Ministry of Education can quickly arrange their bail. A list may be sought from educational institutions across the country for this purpose. Where they will inform that any student of the institution has been detained or arrested. Accordingly, at least the parents will be relieved if they are bailed and released quickly to the custody of their guardians. The court granted bail to 42 HSC examinees arrested in different police station cases of the capital. This initiative needs to be accelerated. The case should also be withdrawn quickly. As we see teachers come down to protect their students, parents can come down too.
3. Dialogue with any agitator is very important. At this point the situation became heated due to time wasting from the beginning. Instead of giving importance to the movement, the minds of ordinary students have been poisoned by talking about the association of Jamaat-BNP alone. Now the 65 coordinators we have been hearing about repeatedly, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh can sit directly with them to improve this situation.
   Although they are seeking justice for killing more than two hundred people. Demanding to stop harassing students. Therefore, if the harassment of ordinary students and people can be stopped and the arrestees can be released, surely the coordinators will be flexible to negotiate with the government.
4. Some senior leaders of the party gave speeches to fuel the movement. Which most people think is not a very right thing to do. You can apologize for that. If someone is acting too enthusiastic, they can be removed from the responsible position.
   Why is the Chhatra League so brutal? This question also needs to be resolved. It is necessary to investigate that and bring all those who were beaten, including its president, under the law.
5. Six coordinators were picked up and placed in DB custody by a senior officer in the name of security (although he has since been removed). He should also be held accountable for why he was kept illegally.
   Why did the intelligence agency not have the news that Jamaat-Shibir or terrorists have carried out the rampage in the country? If so, why not take action in advance? Can’t the government ask for the answer to this question from the outgoing DB chief? Shouldn’t he take responsibility for such a big violence in the country due to neglect of duty?
   Most recently, the head of the Secret Service resigned after accepting responsibility for the failure to fire former US President Donald Trump. This example should be set in Bangladesh. Otherwise, the attitude of giving importance to one’s work will never develop.
   Moreover, an intelligence chief illegally picked up students and announced a forced suspension of the movement while also releasing videos of them eating and drinking on social media (something he often does). The very important institution of the state is derisively called “Rice Hotel”. Shouldn’t he be punished for defaming a government agency?
6. The prime minister also spoke about international investigations into the killings that took place. This will help to defuse the situation somewhat. The UN must earn the public’s trust that the government will cooperate in carrying out this independent investigation. Every murder must be prosecuted.
   At present, the police have not gained the trust of the people. Instead, he stood facing the students. The way they have arrested the students with the block raid is becoming a danger for their own forces. Not only that, it is also questioning the role of the government internationally. As a force, why the police fired in this way, that self-inquiry and self-criticism should be done. Everyone wants to know the answer to the question of those who shot like this, under whose instructions. This also needs to be investigated.
7. Even if the education minister sits with the teachers who are protesting in the field, they can play a role in overcoming the crisis. Maybe many people don’t want to come to the discussion table now. But if the government is sincere, they will come. In this case, it should be considered regardless of party opinion. It is not a problem to listen to their words. He belongs to any party, any attitude, any opinion. If we want to bring stability in the country, everyone should be given equal importance. Now while staying united, divisive policies are not desirable at all.
   Not only that, all political parties registered in Bangladesh can also be offered dialogue to restore peace in the country.
8. The families of those who were killed have been assured of cooperation from the government. Many have been assisted. In this case every bereaved family should be supported. The government should stand by them more quickly.
   Are we sure that they are not harboring pain or anger? To alleviate this anger, the government has to be more generous and literally be on their side.
9. For a long time, when many supporters of Awami League disagreed, they fought over how to turn it into a Razakar, Jamaat, Shibir. This made the situation more tense. Violence is created in society. Urging them to stop such tagging politics is very necessary at this time. This political weapon has become blunt. Even in the political sphere, it is a characteristic of a good democracy to create a space for dissent. Open that range.
   The main task of the government now is to regain the confidence and self-respect of a large generation. Even very common people are seeing how a generation is talking about the Awami League government. Awami League is the leading party of freedom struggle. Why he had to face such a situation, where there was a deficiency – the space for self-criticism should also be kept open.
   This generation was oppressed by two movements in 2018, again in 2024 they are oppressed and horribly shot at their friends, classmates. Many students have shed blood. The stories of their families are constantly appearing on the pages of newspapers. Which is making people’s mind heavy. There is nothing wrong with being flexible in order to alleviate this anger and frustration.
   We have to remember they are students. They will move the country forward in the future. It is this generation that will help the party leading the liberation war to move forward. Bangladesh cannot be imagined without them.
   It is important not to suppress them, but to keep them alive with love. The people of the country did not want to see this horror, nor do they want to see it in the future. If proper measures are not taken openly, third parties will take more opportunities to fish in the murky waters, and the international conspiracy will continue to accelerate.