Dhaka Tribune commended Yunus for his role since taking over as he “truly captured the imagination of the Bangladeshi people”. (PTI Photo)
One month sans Hasina
This Friday, September 5, marked one month since former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s ouster on August 5. Hasina fled to India after protestors stormed her residence in Dhaka and forced her out. Chief advisor to the interim government Muhammad Yunus addressed the nation, once again expressing his anguish at the violence and brutality that civilians endured — and hope for a better Bangladesh.
Dhaka Tribune (September 7) commended Yunus for his role since taking over as he “truly captured the imagination of the Bangladeshi people”. He spoke of “the plight of the martyred” and “exemplified his connection with the people of the country — a stark departure from the leaders of the Awami League who had all but disconnected from the people they had sworn to serve.”
The Daily Star editor Mahfuz Anam in his column (September 6) agrees with this sentiment and relays that the meeting of the media with Yunus was “a refreshing start” after a decade and a half of being barred from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and events attended by the former PM. Yunus invited the views of the media on constitutional and judicial reforms, rebuilding peace, the desirable length of tenure of the interim government and the harassment of journalists. Anam’s belief in this government is evident as he concludes by saying, “Let us help them and give them time, patience, understanding and, most importantly, trust.”
Role of opposition party BNP
With the Awami League out of power and the interim government a mix of activists, intellectuals, diplomats, lawyers and the like — some of whom have been part of the previous opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) governments — the focus is back on BNP’s role in Bangladesh’s politics.
Prothom Alo columnist Mohiuddin Ahmad (September 1) examines the trajectory and nature of the Awami League and the BNP noting that both have engaged in corruption and silent media bans — to differing degrees: “BNP and Awami League have more similarities than differences… Now Awami League is the enemy of the people. And as a ‘victim’ of the Awami regime, BNP is now a people’s party. BNP has to show that they will not be like Awami League.”
Reports of the BNP’s intimidation and assault in various instances also led to the media cautioning the party against coming across as an oppressor, which would harm its chances for power. The Daily Star (August 31) editorial urges the BNP leadership to “prevent its grassroots leaders, professional groups or anyone exploiting its name to establish dominance through exemplary punishment… BNP has a duty to not just support but also actively take part in the reforms… It must help do away with the political culture of yesteryears that has brought nothing but misery for the country.”
Dhaka Tribune columnist Marouf Kholifa (September 3) lays out what the party must do to seize the opportunity, “the BNP must change its mindset, abandon revenge-driven politics, reduce reliance on muscle power, and trust in public sentiment. It must break away from the habit of not learning from history.”
adya.goyal@expressindia.com
