Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has formally and unequivocally expressed her desire to sit with the student protesters.
Despite all the death and destruction we have witnessed in the past few weeks, this is a welcome gesture that could potentially pave the way to national stability once again.
The state’s initial response to the quota reform movement was one of dismissal, while the ensuing violence and destruction was met with an apparent disinclination to truly engage, which exacerbated the crisis.
Indeed, there were many steps along the way where things might have turned out differently if only both sides had engaged genuinely with the other.
It has now been well established that the wider public support the student movement, as testified by the thousands who marched to the Shaheed Minar yesterday despite the adverse weather conditions.
Which is why any efforts on the part of the government, at this juncture, cannot afford to be anything but fully sincere.
To that end, finding a way to realize the original demands of the movement, not only the quota demand, is an idea worthy of consideration.
The protesters have expressed time and again that they want nothing more than dialogue, giving the government every opportunity to have a civil discussion over their demands.
It appears that the government has finally understood the value of dialogue, as late as it is.
Giving the protesters a seat at the table directly with the PM is perhaps the best chance that the ruling party has of making things right again.
We welcome the offer and sincerely hope that it is taken up. Anything that can save Bangladesh from further death and destruction is worth pursuit.
