Wednesday, 16 July, 2025
The political landscape in Bangladesh is heating up as the country heads toward a general election tentatively scheduled for February.
The murder of Md Sohag, alias Lal Chand, a scrap trader near Dhaka’s Mitford Hospital on a humid July afternoon, shook the nation. The killing shattered a fragile calm in a society still reeling from years of authoritarian governance.
Within 24 hours, student-led protests emerged at key universities, including Dhaka University, BUET, Jagannath University, and Eden College, where inflammatory slogans like “Extortion collected in Paltan, share goes to London” were chanted, taking direct aim at Tarique Rahman.
BNP leaders swiftly condemned the murder and demanded justice. Five members of Jubo Dal, the BNP’s youth wing, were expelled for alleged involvement. But BNP leaders question the sudden emergence of politically pointed slogans and suspect they were part of a choreographed campaign to malign the party and its leadership.
Observers note that the rhetoric went beyond outrage and bore signs of calculated political engineering, raising concerns about the exploitation of tragedy for partisan gain. Meanwhile, misinformation on social media and politically motivated narratives continue to depict the BNP as an extortionist force.
Tarique Rahman, who has spent over 15 years in political exile following fierce repression under the now-deposed Awami League regime, has been vocal in his commitment to party discipline, anti-corruption measures, and zero tolerance for violence. Since the collapse of the previous regime in early August, he has led a purge of over 2,000 party members accused of wrongdoing.
Despite this, Tarique recently warned, "Slowly, the invisible enemies are becoming visible. The conspiracy is not yet over." His remarks underscore a growing sense of unease within BNP ranks about orchestrated efforts to derail their electoral prospects.
Political commentator Mahmudur Rahman Manna observed that Tarique has evolved into a more grounded and capable leader. "He combines humility with resolve, which is essential for leading the nation through this transitional phase," Manna noted. Internationally, Tarique has also earned recognition. British magazine The Week recently dubbed him "Destiny’s Child," acknowledging his role in maintaining BNP unity and resilience.
Meanwhile, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir called the recent smear campaign a deliberate attack on nationalist forces. “This is about more than slogans; it is an attempt to annihilate Mr Tarique Rahman and destabilize the party ahead of the election,” he said.
Jahangirnagar University Vice-Chancellor Dr Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan emphasized the need for unity and justice. "The July Uprising was a collective effort. Blaming an entire party only fractures what we worked so hard to build. Slogans should seek justice, not vendettas," he warned.
However, reform efforts have hit roadblocks. Disagreements persist over women's representation and the formation of a bicameral parliamentary system. A proposal to double reserved seats for women in Parliament and elect them directly was met with mixed reactions.
An alternative plan requiring parties to field one-third female candidates in more than 25 constituencies also failed to gain consensus. Debate over a bicameral legislature remains equally unresolved. While most political parties support the idea of a 400-seat lower house and a 100-seat upper chamber, disputes over how to constitute the upper house continue.
While all major political parties formally support the existing constitutional provision on the caretaker government, the political landscape remains fragile and increasingly polarised—particularly over key reform proposals. Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has called for a constitutional amendment to permanently entrench the caretaker government system, proposing that no future government be allowed to repeal it without a national referendum.
Jamaat-e-Islami, meanwhile, has denounced the delay in adopting the proposed proportional representation (PR) electoral system, calling it “discriminatory” and “unjust” that the reform is being blocked by a single major party.
On Tuesday, Ali Riaz, Vice Chairman of the National Consensus Commission, said a final decision on the structure of the proposed second chamber would be announced on Sunday. He noted that although most major parties support a bicameral legislature in principle, they remain divided on the composition and selection process of the upper house. “Given the deadlock, the commission will now have to determine the chamber’s structure,” he said.
Badiul Alam Majumdar, Secretary of the civil society group Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (SHUJAN), or Citizens for Good Governance, has announced plans to appeal the High Court verdict that struck down parts of the 15th Amendment—clearing the way for a potential return to the caretaker system.
Jamaat has endorsed the bicameral model, stating that most political groups are now aligned with the idea. Riaz confirmed that while consensus exists in theory, parties have failed to reach agreement on the details.
As political uncertainty deepens, veteran constitutional expert Dr Kamal Hossain called on political and civic groups to protect the hard-earned unity that emerged during the July Uprising. Speaking at a memorial event for Gono Forum leader Mostafa Mohsin Montu, he urged, "This unity is sacred. Let us not squander it in the name of politics."
Dr Hossain also stressed the urgent need for institutional reforms. "The public demands reform. The interim government must respond decisively. Delay is not an option," he said.
Meanwhile, Women and Children Affairs Adviser Sharmeen S Murshid has spotlighted another pressing issue: the retreat of women who bravely participated in the July Uprising. Speaking ahead of the commemorations, she questioned why many of these women have since vanished from public life.
"They fought with unmatched courage. Why are they now silent, depressed, and isolated?" she asked. Murshid pointed to ongoing social and cyberbullying as key factors and pledged greater support for these "July daughters."
Her ministry has produced a documentary on women martyrs and is recruiting over 100 volunteers to identify and support affected women. A cyber-monitoring unit, to be staffed by survivors of the uprising, will also launch this month. "These women will stand tall again. We are with them," she affirmed.
Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam noted that new legal reforms and a Cyber Safety Ordinance have been enacted to protect women and children in digital spaces. "These steps mark the beginning of a broader national commitment to safeguarding our society's most vulnerable,” he said.
As the July Movement's momentum threatens to be derailed by political scheming and unresolved reforms, many fear that the sacrifices made—the loss of lives, the courage displayed, and the national unity briefly kindled—may be in vain. The interim government’s reform agenda, while ambitious, risks faltering amid disunity, procedural delays, and partisan agendas.
BNP leaders have voiced concern that the ousted Awami League may exploit the fragile political climate to claw back influence. They plan to mount public campaigns against what they term "false propaganda" and reaffirm Tarique Rahman’s leadership as he prepares for a possible return to Bangladesh.
Bangladesh now finds itself at a pivotal juncture—caught between the aspirations awakened by the July Uprising and the political tempests gathering on the horizon. The true test lies ahead: Can the nation hold firm to the principles of justice, democracy, and unity, or will the storm swallow the very promise July once ignited?
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The political landscape in Bangladesh is heating up as the country heads toward a general election tentatively scheduled for February.
The murder of Md Sohag, alias Lal Chand, a scrap trader near Dhaka’s Mitford Hospital on a humid July afternoon, shook the nation. The killing shattered a fragile calm in a society still reeling from years of authoritarian governance.
Within 24 hours, student-led protests emerged at key universities, including Dhaka University, BUET, Jagannath University, and Eden College, where inflammatory slogans like “Extortion collected in Paltan, share goes to London” were chanted, taking direct aim at Tarique Rahman.
BNP leaders swiftly condemned the murder and demanded justice. Five members of Jubo Dal, the BNP’s youth wing, were expelled for alleged involvement. But BNP leaders question the sudden emergence of politically pointed slogans and suspect they were part of a choreographed campaign to malign the party and its leadership.
Observers note that the rhetoric went beyond outrage and bore signs of calculated political engineering, raising concerns about the exploitation of tragedy for partisan gain. Meanwhile, misinformation on social media and politically motivated narratives continue to depict the BNP as an extortionist force.
Tarique Rahman, who has spent over 15 years in political exile following fierce repression under the now-deposed Awami League regime, has been vocal in his commitment to party discipline, anti-corruption measures, and zero tolerance for violence. Since the collapse of the previous regime in early August, he has led a purge of over 2,000 party members accused of wrongdoing.
Despite this, Tarique recently warned, "Slowly, the invisible enemies are becoming visible. The conspiracy is not yet over." His remarks underscore a growing sense of unease within BNP ranks about orchestrated efforts to derail their electoral prospects.
Political commentator Mahmudur Rahman Manna observed that Tarique has evolved into a more grounded and capable leader. "He combines humility with resolve, which is essential for leading the nation through this transitional phase," Manna noted. Internationally, Tarique has also earned recognition. British magazine The Week recently dubbed him "Destiny’s Child," acknowledging his role in maintaining BNP unity and resilience.
Meanwhile, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir called the recent smear campaign a deliberate attack on nationalist forces. “This is about more than slogans; it is an attempt to annihilate Mr Tarique Rahman and destabilize the party ahead of the election,” he said.
Jahangirnagar University Vice-Chancellor Dr Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan emphasized the need for unity and justice. "The July Uprising was a collective effort. Blaming an entire party only fractures what we worked so hard to build. Slogans should seek justice, not vendettas," he warned.
However, reform efforts have hit roadblocks. Disagreements persist over women's representation and the formation of a bicameral parliamentary system. A proposal to double reserved seats for women in Parliament and elect them directly was met with mixed reactions.
An alternative plan requiring parties to field one-third female candidates in more than 25 constituencies also failed to gain consensus. Debate over a bicameral legislature remains equally unresolved. While most political parties support the idea of a 400-seat lower house and a 100-seat upper chamber, disputes over how to constitute the upper house continue.
While all major political parties formally support the existing constitutional provision on the caretaker government, the political landscape remains fragile and increasingly polarised—particularly over key reform proposals. Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has called for a constitutional amendment to permanently entrench the caretaker government system, proposing that no future government be allowed to repeal it without a national referendum.
Jamaat-e-Islami, meanwhile, has denounced the delay in adopting the proposed proportional representation (PR) electoral system, calling it “discriminatory” and “unjust” that the reform is being blocked by a single major party.
On Tuesday, Ali Riaz, Vice Chairman of the National Consensus Commission, said a final decision on the structure of the proposed second chamber would be announced on Sunday. He noted that although most major parties support a bicameral legislature in principle, they remain divided on the composition and selection process of the upper house. “Given the deadlock, the commission will now have to determine the chamber’s structure,” he said.
Badiul Alam Majumdar, Secretary of the civil society group Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (SHUJAN), or Citizens for Good Governance, has announced plans to appeal the High Court verdict that struck down parts of the 15th Amendment—clearing the way for a potential return to the caretaker system.
Jamaat has endorsed the bicameral model, stating that most political groups are now aligned with the idea. Riaz confirmed that while consensus exists in theory, parties have failed to reach agreement on the details.
As political uncertainty deepens, veteran constitutional expert Dr Kamal Hossain called on political and civic groups to protect the hard-earned unity that emerged during the July Uprising. Speaking at a memorial event for Gono Forum leader Mostafa Mohsin Montu, he urged, "This unity is sacred. Let us not squander it in the name of politics."
Dr Hossain also stressed the urgent need for institutional reforms. "The public demands reform. The interim government must respond decisively. Delay is not an option," he said.
Meanwhile, Women and Children Affairs Adviser Sharmeen S Murshid has spotlighted another pressing issue: the retreat of women who bravely participated in the July Uprising. Speaking ahead of the commemorations, she questioned why many of these women have since vanished from public life.
"They fought with unmatched courage. Why are they now silent, depressed, and isolated?" she asked. Murshid pointed to ongoing social and cyberbullying as key factors and pledged greater support for these "July daughters."
Her ministry has produced a documentary on women martyrs and is recruiting over 100 volunteers to identify and support affected women. A cyber-monitoring unit, to be staffed by survivors of the uprising, will also launch this month. "These women will stand tall again. We are with them," she affirmed.
Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam noted that new legal reforms and a Cyber Safety Ordinance have been enacted to protect women and children in digital spaces. "These steps mark the beginning of a broader national commitment to safeguarding our society's most vulnerable,” he said.
As the July Movement's momentum threatens to be derailed by political scheming and unresolved reforms, many fear that the sacrifices made—the loss of lives, the courage displayed, and the national unity briefly kindled—may be in vain. The interim government’s reform agenda, while ambitious, risks faltering amid disunity, procedural delays, and partisan agendas.
BNP leaders have voiced concern that the ousted Awami League may exploit the fragile political climate to claw back influence. They plan to mount public campaigns against what they term "false propaganda" and reaffirm Tarique Rahman’s leadership as he prepares for a possible return to Bangladesh.
Bangladesh now finds itself at a pivotal juncture—caught between the aspirations awakened by the July Uprising and the political tempests gathering on the horizon. The true test lies ahead: Can the nation hold firm to the principles of justice, democracy, and unity, or will the storm swallow the very promise July once ignited?
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