Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus has expressed concern that reforms without unity or elections without meaningful reforms will fail to move Bangladesh forward.
The sacrifices of the martyrs of the July uprising cannot hold significance without the establishment of a just society, the chief adviser remarked on Friday while virtually joining a national dialogue of the Forum for Bangladesh Studies at the Krishibid Institute auditorium in the capital.
The two-day dialogue is being held under the theme “Unity, Reforms, and Elections.”
The chief adviser said: “We need consensus among ourselves regarding reforms. None of these three objectives can succeed without the other. Reforms without unity or elections without reforms cannot advance Bangladesh.”
Noting that preparations for reforms and elections should proceed simultaneously, he said: “The work of preparing for elections is primarily the responsibility of the Election Commission. Citizens do not need to invest time in this process until an election date is announced.
"However, all citizens must participate in reform efforts. Voters will naturally participate, but those who will become voters in the future must also fully engage in these reform activities.”
Expressing hope that the reports from 15 reform commissions formed by the government will be submitted in January, Yunus said each reform commission’s responsibility is to identify the main alternatives and recommend one option for the nation.
"These commissions must prepare recommendations, considering various perspectives, on how the future can be shaped through reforms, making it easier for citizens to form opinions.”
He continued: "Just because a commission makes a recommendation does not mean you or I must accept it. For this reason, a National Consensus Building Commission has been formed at the final stage.”
Commenting on the voting age, Yunus said he believes it should be set at 17 years. "I do not know what the Election Reform Commission will recommend. However, if the majority of the country supports the commission’s recommended age, I will accept it to achieve consensus.”
Highlighting that the reform commissions will present many recommendations, he said: “We have reached a stage where, regardless of opinions, we want to quickly establish consensus and complete the reform tasks. We aim to create a system that enables us to move forward toward elections.”
The chief adviser stressed that the sacrifices of the martyrs of July cannot hold meaning without building a just society. “Fascism had derailed Bangladesh from all ideals-based goals and led us into deep darkness. We are working again to bring our beloved Bangladesh back to the path of equality, human dignity, and justice.”
Regarding the trial of the July uprising killings, he said: “Our student population, with unwavering courage, faced the child killers and brutal perpetrators. Such inhuman acts against humanity must be brought to justice.”
He added: “The July uprising has emboldened the dreams of the Bangladeshi people. A voiceless Bangladesh has regained its strength to speak in a powerful voice. This resolute voice has once again risen to build unity.”
Emphasizing unity as the primary strength, the chief adviser said: “The July uprising has strengthened us on a historic scale. Over the past five months, this unity has grown even stronger. As opposing forces of the uprising continuously attempt to create division among us, our unity has become even more robust.”
He remarked: “With the power of unity, we can now achieve the impossible. This is our greatest opportunity to build an economy that guarantees equality of resources and opportunities for all citizens. We must create a political and state environment where minority-majority distinctions become irrelevant.
“Everyone will have one identity: I am a citizen of Bangladesh, and the state is obligated to grant me all my rights. I will not need to present any other identity to the state or to other citizens. There will be no room for personal adoration, nor any possibility of master-servant relationships within or outside the country.”
Reflecting on the opportunities provided by the July uprising half a century after independence, he said: “If we are unwilling or unable to seize this opportunity, no future generation of Bangladesh will forgive us. The main objective of today’s dialogue is to declare, in the strongest voice, that we will not let this opportunity slip away. Together, we will make the best use of every moment of this opportunity.”