Sharp deviation from three principles — equality, human dignity and social justice — on the basis of which the War of Liberation was waged in 1971, has made today’s youth unable to dream in harmony about Bangladesh.
A group of freedom fighters and analysts observed this when they talked to Prothom Alo ahead of the Independence Day on Saturday, 26 March, coinciding with the day of proclamation of the country’s independence in 1971.
They said a sense of deprivation has grown among the youth due to persistent inequality, both in political and economic spheres, and that has forced a large section of the youth, the educated ones in particular, to seek opportunities abroad or even think about settling elsewhere outside of Bangladesh.
Also, they noted, a self-centred outlook of the leadership has made today’s youth confused and blinkered.
“It is a misfortune that we don’t want to let the youth dream, to let them think freely. We have become so self-centred that we don’t want the new generations to dream of a dream independently. We want them to think or live in the light with our designs,” Zafrullah Chowdhury, one of the organisers of the liberation war process, told Prothom Alo when he was asked what a dream today’s youth could dream of, based on the three principles of proclamation of independence.
He went on saying, “As the youth cannot dream independently, their aversion towards the country is increasing day by day.”
When his attention was drawn to today’s Bangladesh in light with the dreams cherished in the proclamation of independence, he said, “Look, there is no accountability in the country, no rule of law, no democratic values, no equality, and no justice in contradict with the dream cherished in the proclamation of independence. These factors have created grievances among the youth and then they say: ‘let us leave the country’.”
Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal president ASM Abdur Rab termed the only political document of the liberation war the proclamation of independence adopted on 10 April 1971.
“After the liberation we have ignored the three principles for our petty political interest, which amounts to the betrayal of the war heroes,” observed the valiant freedom fighter.
“We, the elected representatives of the people of Bangladesh, are honour bound by the mandate given to us by the people of Bangladesh whose will is supreme duly constituted ourselves into a Constituent Assembly, and having held mutual consultations, and in order to ensure for the people of Bangladesh equality, human dignity and social justice, declare and constitute Bangladesh to be sovereign Peoples' Republic,” read the proclamation of independence made in Mujibnagar on 10 April 1971.
“Today’s generations are not well aware of the principles on the basis of which our liberation war was waged. The principles have not even got a place in the constitution.”
Rab spoke of bringing changes to the constitution of the republic to incorporate the principles of the liberation war.
Asked whether social justice has remained in place in today’s Bangladesh on the basis of which the youth can dream of a prosperous Bangladesh in the days to come, Rab replied in the negative. “The difference between the rich and the poor is widening every day. The youth is getting equality nowhere in the society.”
“The rule of law, democratic values and sense of justice, have been sent into exile - a state that has in fact jeopardised the country’s security. The youth are employed on partisan basis, not on the basis of merit that led the youth to think to go abroad.”
Rab also noted that the youth’s apparent aversion towards politics will put the state into a further crisis with a risk of the country being a failed state in future.
When approached, former governor of Bangladesh Bank Mohammed Farashuddin, however, said Bangladesh has progressed in other ways. “It has made a significant stride on the economic front.”
He still regretted, “The dream on the basis of which the liberation war waged was a collective one. But today we have become more individualistic as today’s people are running after materialistic gains.”
He pointed out that the society has largely deviated from the values and principles on the basis of which the proclamation of independence was adopted. “But it also not be expected that a dream will be translated into reality in its entirety.
“Although equality and social justice has not been established fully, the people’s access to economic activities has increased,” observed the former BB governor.
He, however, said the economic disparity between the rich and the poor is increasing. “But, today’s poor are doing well compared to that of 1972 or 1973.”
The former governor of the central bank said there are as much as 50 million youth in the country. “If these youth cannot be turned into human resources, Bangladesh will not go forward up to the desired level.”
He said the majority of the youth would leave the country as the dream of going forward fast towards development and prosperity will not turn into reality in the country.
He attributed the widening disparity in all spheres of society to the people’s materialistic and individualistic attitude.
He said the dream of 1971 was based on an artistic bent of mind. “A social and culture jump towards attaining the dream cherished in the proclamation of independence through ensuring return of the values and principle has stood imperative.”
Communist Party of Bangladesh presidium member Haider Akbar Khan Rano said none of the dreams have been achieved even as much as 45 years inside the liberation of the country.
“Social justice has not been established as yet. No equal opportunities are there, nor is there any rule of law here. Democratic values have shrunken to almost zero. There is no religious freedom even.”
He said lack of equality and justice in society is playing as a catalyst to make the youth apathetic towards both politics and economic activities and is making them think to leave the country for a better future.
He, however, said he is not a pessimist. “The youth will rise up to fill the vacuum in the areas of economy and politics.”
Analyst and writer Farhad Mazhar alleged that the Bangladesh Awami League has destroyed the three principles by replacing them with its partisan
four-point principle that led to a persisting political division in the society.
“The political division that has developed in the society will have to be defused through political means. All will have to reach a consensus that Bangladesh’s constitution should be either rewritten or at least amended in the light of the three principles — equality, human dignity and social justice — on the basis of which the War of Independence was held in 1971.”
“Apart from this, if today’s youth want to dream of a society based on social justice and equality, they need to learn thoughts of the society’s other forces like anti-colonial ones like Lalon and others on bringing about a social change.”
He underscored the need for the uprising of a social force to translate the dream of 1971 into reality.