Speakers at a discussion on Sunday said that development of a new political party upholding the spirit of the student-led anti-discrimination movement was needed to build a ‘New Bangladesh’ to fulfill expectations of the people.
They came up with the remark at a discussion titled ‘Democracy and Good Governance in New Bangladesh: Expectations of Youth’ marking International Democracy Day 2024 at the TIB office in Dhaka.
The ‘state reform’ will be possible only through radical reform in the electoral system, administrative structure, and judiciary and protecting the fundamental rights of all, and the freedom of media and expression, they said.
They also said that a new political structure was necessary for the sake of radical change of the existing state structure.
TIB executive director Iftekharuzzaman said that criminal offences, including extortion and grabbing properties in different parts of the country by a section of people after the fall of the dictatorial government, were against the spirit of the student-led mass uprising.
He said, ‘I personally think development of a political party upholding the spirit of the movement is essential to achieve goals of a new Bangladesh.’
‘And its leadership will be developed from the mainstream of the movement. All the students of the country participating in the movement will give their spontaneous support to the new political power,’ he added.
Hasnat Abdullah, a coordinator of Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, said, ‘People do not want to believe those who came to power because their past experience was not good.’
‘The people also look at us with suspicion. It is being questioned in many cases whether those who have come to power through the movement will do the same,’ he said.
Arif Sohail, another coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, said the movement is to ensure equality, dignity, and social justice.
‘Our flag was changed in 1947 or 1971, but independence was not achieved. Because all subsequent rulers had elements of autocracy in the country, he said.
Samantha Sharmin, spokesperson for the Jatiya Nagarik Committee, said, ‘A new Bangladesh has created a lot of hope among the youths. So, an environment for mass discussion should be created to build the new Bangladesh.’
She also said, ‘It has always been said that people are the source of power, but it has not been reflected in reality. To ensure the participation of all the people of Bangladesh in the reform of the state structure, there should be arrangements for discussions at the grassroots level.’
