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Speakers at a discussion at Rajshahi University on Saturday underscored the need for legal and institutional reforms to ensure energy justice in the country.

They said that the issue transcended technical concerns and was deeply rooted in questions of rights, equity and governance.

They came up with the observation while addressing the discussion titled Energy Justice in Bangladesh at Rajshahi University.

Fuels and Social Justice Forum orgainsed the discussion in the university’s deans complex building.

RU vice-chancellor professor Saleh Hasan Naqib addressed the event as chief guest.

Shamsul Alam, energy adviser of Consumer Association of Bangladesh and lawyer Jotirmoy Barua addressed the discussion as key speakers with mass communication and journalism department chairman professor Abdullah Al Mamun in the chair.

Shamsul Alam said that the crisis of energy justice in Bangladesh went beyond mere infrastructure or technical capabilities.

‘It is fundamentally a matter of rights, equality, and governance,’ Shamsul said, adding, ‘We must rethink how we produce, import, distribute, and consume energy to reflect the needs and dignity of all citizens.’

Criticising existing energy policies, Shamsul Alam pointed out various structural issues such as corruption, inflated service costs, environmental degradation, and exclusionary policies.

‘While progress has been made in terms of infrastructure and connectivity, these deep-rooted problems continue to marginalise the people for whom energy development is supposed to happen,’ he added.

He urged the adoption of a strategy grounded in justice, transparency, public participation, and long-term sustainability to ensure an inclusive energy transition.

Jyotirmoy Barua said that energy justice was essential for achieving fair and sustainable development.

‘Legal and institutional reforms are necessary and so is prioritising public involvement and transparency in decision-making processes,’ he said, calling for the formation of a citizens’ movement to protect energy rights for equitable energy policies.

Saleh Hasan Naqib called for a coordinated and multi-sectoral approach to solve the existing energy crisis.

‘Energy is related to human rights and legal experts, environmentalists, and scientists cannot resolve this issue alone,’ he said, adding, ‘A coordinated effort from all relevant experts is needed.’

Professor Abdullah Al Mamun stressed the importance of the geopolitical and economic weight of the energy sector.

‘If we fail to link energy to justice, it will have detrimental consequences for our society,’ Abdullah Al Mamun said, adding, ‘It’s time we clearly understood our roles and responsibilities.’