Akram Hossain, a key student organizer, characterized the last 16 years of Awami League governance as "dictatorial" and "fascist."
Hossain described the Awami League’s rule as a period marked by "disappearances, murders, and anarchy."
He said that the nationwide unrest reflected a release of long-simmering frustration among the public.
“The downfall of this regime has given a vent to the common man’s long-pent-up anger and emotional grievances,” Hossain added.
He further condemned the police’s handling of the situation, claiming that there was an escalation of violence after Sheikh Hasina's resignation and departure for India in the afternoon on Monday.
“Not only that, the police and her supporters attacked the student crowd after dictator Sheikh Hasina left for India,” Hossain asserted.
According to Hossain, the police failed to fulfil their duty to manage the unrest peacefully.
“The dictatorial government has broken the moral ground of the entire police force,” he said. “As a result, a significant number of policemen have fired on innocent student mobs.”
Reflecting on historical precedents, Hossain noted that public jubilation and violence typically follow the fall of any dictatorship in Bangladesh. However, he emphasized that they have managed to quickly restore order.
“The 24-hour security has already been arranged at all possible places so that no miscreant can create chaos,” he said.
Expectations from interim government
Regarding the interim government’s strategy for ensuring fair and transparent governance, Akram Hossain highlighted the need to rectify the pervasive party biases that developed under Sheikh Hasina's regime.
“According to the outlines provided by the students, the partyization that occurred across all sectors during Hasina’s fascist rule must be changed,” he said.
He stressed that overhauling these biassed practices is crucial for restoring integrity and fairness in the governance process.
Hossain criticized the Sheikh Hasina-led regime, particularly highlighting the police force’s partisanship, which, he claimed, led to significant public disillusionment.
“The partyization of the police force in the last 16 years resulted in the people of the country standing against it during the quota movement, and has eroded public trust in law enforcement,” he said.
Looking ahead, Hossain assured that the interim government would prioritize the rebuilding of the police force and the restoration of its reputation. He vowed that measures would be taken to prevent the formation of a "fascist state structure" in Bangladesh.
The interim administration, according to Hossain, will focus on assembling a team that garners the trust of all parties and fosters an inclusive society.
“We will establish a social system that upholds justice at every level, ensuring a state where everyone, regardless of caste or religion, can live with dignity and rights,” he said.
Akram Hossain outlined their vision for the formation of a democratic society, emphasizing that their focus is not on holding power but on guiding the interim government towards lasting reforms.
He stressed that the interim administration and future governments must adhere to the guidelines provided by the students and implement constructive measures accordingly.
Hossain called for an end to partisan student politics, proposing the introduction of a student council system in educational institutions to foster grassroots leadership. He advocated for open, constructive dialogue between society and the state to develop and implement a sustainable democratic framework.
“Through these measures, we aim to build a happy, advanced, and inclusive state capable of meeting global challenges,” he declared.
