Over the past decade and a half, the instruments of the state, from the police to the bureaucracy to the judiciary, have been systematically subverted. Sycophants have filled the ranks while checks and balances were wholly dismantled, clearing the path for the consolidation of power.
State institutions became tools of personal gain and political repression. Arbitrary decrees replaced the rule of law. Dissent was met with brutal crackdowns and enforced disappearance.
Those in power acted with such impunity that they were effectively above the law. Something had to give, and so the “second independence” of Bangladesh, Bangladesh 2.0, was born, ignited by a student-led revolution that demanded an end to corruption, repression, and the abuse of power.
The deep-rooted ills of the past three decades cannot be waved away with a magic wand. It will be a long and arduous road, but acknowledging these challenges prepares us for the journey ahead.
Extirpating partisans from state institutions and replacing them with competent and ethical individuals will be challenging but necessary. Equally vital is redrafting laws to ensure robust checks and balances that prevent future attempts at power consolidation.
The aftermath of a revolution is always messy and often chaotic.
The power vacuum left in the wake of the revolution quickly filled with a cacophony of demand, some legitimate, some not, and others in conflict, as people sought solace for past grievances and pushed forward their own visions for the future.
Amid this volatile landscape, Dr Yunus and his team face the daunting task of managing the state's day-to-day affairs and repairing the subverted state apparatus and foundations that have been eroded over the past decades. They will need exceptional political skills, strategic foresight, total commitment, and the continuing support of the citizens.
Bangladesh has been given a second chance, and the only way to ensure success without reverting to the past is by making fundamental changes. This will not be easy. While the path forward will be challenging, the “whats” are clear. The “hows” will require patience, determination, and foresight.
We need a fundamental overhaul of our institutions, and we need to start with the judiciary first. Past governments have exploited a weakened, dependent, and compromised judiciary to rubber-stamp their wrongdoings and act with impunity.
The aftermath of a revolution is always messy and often chaotic
We need a complete separation and independence of the judiciary, purge the existing judiciary of partisan appointees, and replace them with qualified and impartial judges. Fundamental changes to the constitutional laws must be made to ensure the judiciary is empowered to serve as a check on power, protect individual rights, and uphold the rule of law.
Next, the bureaucracy must also be purged similarly. We must remove the corrupt, inefficient, partisan bureaucrats who have eroded public trust. By ensuring transparent, merit-based appointments and promotions, we can create a civil service accountable not to those in power or their own interests but to the public it serves.
Third, and certainly not least, we need a transformed police force that serves and protects its citizens rather than oppresses them. The police have too often been misused as armed enforcers for the ruling classes, resulting in a complete erosion of public trust and respect.
The force must be rebuilt from the ground up, beginning with establishing clear codes of conduct, comprehensive training on human rights and the rule of law, and strict accountability for officers' misconduct.
We have received a second chance to recreate Bangladesh in the true non-partisan spirit of 1971 -- a nation where the rule of law prevails, institutions serve the people rather than those in power, and every citizen lives free from fear and oppression.
Dr Zunaid Kazi is a passionate advocate for Bangladesh. In 1994, he created "Virtual Bangladesh," the first comprehensive and multiple award-winning website on Bangladesh. His professional career is in AI and entrepreneurship.
