The Quest for a Balanced State System in Bangladesh

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How should Bangladesh be? Or, the question could be asked like this: how should Bangladesh’s balanced state system be? It is deeply saddening that, even after fifty-three years of independence, we are still searching for the answer. Despite the party that led the Liberation War being in power for almost twenty-five years, the Bengali people still don’t know what balanced governance is.

This is why the Gen-Z generation has been taught that the current constitution is not theirs. They are told to discard it and that a new constitution will be created for them. When I hear talks of so-called 'state reform' or the 'drafting of a new constitution,' I feel alarmed. No matter how many flaws exist in the 1972 constitution of independent Bangladesh, it was primarily created to serve the newly independent country. Under Bangabandhu's leadership, the legislators of the new nation documented the necessity of forming the Bangladesh state within this constitution. To deny these founding principles and the preamble that underscores the creation of Bangladesh would mean denying the freedom won from Pakistan through the Liberation War of 1971. It would be an attempt to erase those historical events and recreate a new Bangladesh state altogether.

We need a balanced system of governance—one that reflects the dream Bangabandhu showed us for building the Bengali nation. The solution lies in correcting the past mistakes and inconsistencies, not in creating a new constitution. Those pushing for this ill-advised effort either do not want to acknowledge the Liberation War of 1971 and the freedom won through it, or they fear its implications. I express my deep disgust against this attempt. With my limited knowledge and boundless patriotism, I wish to begin a discussion on the irregularities within our current system of governance. I invite everyone to participate in this dialogue on this open platform.

Written by:
Editor of littlemag AkaalBodhon
Date: September 2, 2024


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