The protests for reforming the discriminatory quota system extended beyond mere employment issues, embodying nationwide grievances against unprecedented inequality, inflation, corruption, and money laundering, as well as the erosion of freedom of expression and human rights, and most importantly, the denial of voting rights over the past 16 years.
The Awami League regime’s brutal crackdown transformed the demonstrations into a mass uprising, drawing pro-democracy supporters from all segments of society, including teachers, workers, rickshaw-pullers, housewives, and diverse professionals.
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party-BNP, representing the nation’s socio-political aspirations, actively participated in the movement with a vigorous on-the-ground presence. This is evident in the sacrifice of at least 198 lives among our party leaders and activists during the “July massacre,” along with thousands of arrests, torture in detention, countless injuries, and lifelong impairments.
The struggle marks the culmination of years of relentless human rights violations we endured, during which six million BNP members faced over 150,000 politically motivated cases, at least 1,551 extrajudicial killings, 423 enforced disappearances, and nationwide destruction of assets.
After the fall of the fascist regime on August 5, there were concerns that BNP members, subjected to atrocities by the Awami League since 2009, might retaliate in the changed political landscape. However, these fears proved unfounded, with no major life-threatening attacks or casualties. In fact, following the instruction from Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, our activists and citizens worked together to protect homes, places of worship, and the well-being of communities across Bangladesh.
With no police presence for about two weeks, Bangladesh was on the verge of a collapsed law and order situation, and the BNP mobilized its entire organization to stabilize the country and safeguard people’s lives, demonstrating tolerance and stewardship.
While the interim government strives to bring stability and arrange a free, fair, and credible election through urgent reformation, there is a push for political parties to present their vision for the nation they aspire to build. Crucially, as the foremost party aiming to form government in a democratic Bangladesh, the BNP has long been formulating policies based on meticulous analysis and expert assessment. However, we encountered limitations in disseminating these policies and facilitating public discourse, due to the lack of freedom of expression, and media censorship.
Many of the reform proposals emerging now, from various stakeholders, were originally proposed and publicly presented by the BNP. While lacking traction during the fascist regime, they now reflect our deep understanding of the nation’s sentiments and the pledge to address legitimate issues once in government.
In 2017, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia unveiled the party’s “Vision 2030” to create a political culture where all people of varying opinions can coexist peacefully. By creating a vibrant pluralistic society, the BNP extended commitment to combine the “3Gs,” which are good politics, good governance, and good government.
In the last year, building on the principles of Vision 2030 and after consulting with stakeholders from pro-democracy political parties, civil society, and professional bodies, the BNP announced a “31-Point Plan,” aimed at democratic reform of the constitution, state system, and economic liberalization, essentially pledging to form a pro-people welfare government based on national consensus, and returning state ownership to the people.
The fate of Sheikh Hasina serves as an example of what ultimately happens to autocrats, illustrating how authoritarianism spreads only hatred and disgrace
Our 31-Point Plan includes the formation of the National Reconciliation Commission, an impartial interim government during elections, the coordination of powers, and the delineation of responsibilities and duties among the executive, law, and judiciary branches. The BNP proposed establishing a national government with a bicameral parliament, including an upper house of the legislature, allowing distinguished professionals to formally contribute to policy-making. The proposal further stressed the introduction of a parliamentary committee responsible for appointing key positions in crucial public institutions, ensuring a structure of checks and balances.
In addition, Tarique Rahman himself has proposed a limitation on holding the post of prime minister for more than two consecutive terms, and the implementation of mechanisms to foster transparency and accountability in the government system. Other notable announcements of 31-Point Plan consist of the establishment of constitution reforms commission, administrative reforms commission, judicial commission, media commission, and economic reforms commission, in order to provide crucial insight in the reconstitution and revamp process of the nation.
Examination of necessary amendments or repeal of Article 70, the Anti-terrorism Act 2009, the Special Powers Act 1974, and the Cyber Security Act 2023 must be conducted to restore good governance, freedom of expression, and human rights.
The BNP, with its vast network and integration across the socio-political spectrum of Bangladesh -- is formulating a framework to engage representative stakeholders in discussing and enhancing the 31-Point Plan. The goal is to reflect the aspirations of the people -- particularly the young generation, grassroots citizens, subject experts, and civil society members -- in reforming the nation under an elected government with a mandate.
The politics of the BNP is deeply rooted in constructive policies to make meaningful and sustainable changes. We believe now is the time to make our vision widely circulated for iterative feedback, and place it at the centre of our nation-building commitment.
At the same time, we understand there is debate whether a BNP government would continue or end the culture of vendetta in Bangladesh. The repeated calls from our leaders, Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman, emphasizing unity and peace, assure us that societal harmony will prevail over political identity. This aligns with the spirit of “Bangladeshi nationalism” championed by the founder of the BNP, former President Ziaur Rahman, who fostered fairness, equality, and dignity for everybody, irrespective of religion, ethnicity, politics, and ideology.
The endless spree of political cases and harassment against nearly every BNP member and their families has instilled in our leadership a commitment to establish the rule of law. After suffering from 16 years of oppression, we do not want to become oppressors ourselves. This cycle of vengeance must be broken, and the BNP is dedicated to ensure that such injustice does not recur in Bangladesh. The fate of Sheikh Hasina serves as an example of what ultimately happens to autocrats, illustrating how authoritarianism spreads only hatred and disgrace. At this crucial juncture in our nation’s history, as envisioned by Tarique Rahman, together let’s build an inclusive Bangladesh, embracing democratic ideals and safeguarding the rights and freedoms of all Bangladeshis.
Dr Mahdi Amin is an Adviser to the Acting Chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party-BNP, and former researcher at the University of Cambridge.
