An interim government led by the Muhammad Yunus was formed on 8 August 2024 in Bangladesh, following the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on 5 August 2024 amid nationwide student and public protests against the government.
“If BNP gets the responsibility of state power through contemporary politics and future elections, the party will serve the nation with pro-people policies,” Agriculturist Shamimur Rahman Shamim, former organizing secretary of the professional organization Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB), told The South Asian Times in an exclusive interview.
For the last 17 years, the fascist Awami League government snatched people’s basic rights, voting rights and civil rights. It held farce elections and declared the party’s MP nominees’ winners by burying the democracy.
Bangladesh gets freedom afresh through the mass uprising led by the students. We also get back sovereignty, democracy and human rights. Now everyone respects the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus.
The interim government already announced reforms in the basic structures of the state as an urgent basis. The ousted Sheikh Hasina government destroyed our constitution and all the institutions. As a result, nothing of the state can be managed through this constitution. Rather, we have to write a new constitution. People of Bangladesh expect that the current government will carry out the important reforms of the state as soon as possible. Such reforms may ensure people’s voting rights and by this process they will elect their true representatives.
Responding to a question, he said, “We saw that Hasina resigned and fled to India. But she ruined all the important constitutional institutions like judiciary, civil and police administration. Even many associates of the fascist Hasina government are sitting there. They are the enemies of the people and state. They should face exemplary punishment for their unconstitutional and anti-people role and mass killings during recent anti-government movement.
He stated that many controversial people are still in police and civil administration. Again they are being promoted which is sad, painful for us.
“Yes, we want to give a reasonable time to the interim government for the state reforms. BNP high-ups already met with the Chief Advisor and discussed on the issue. But people of the country expect that an elected government should take charge of Bangladesh by establishing voting rights and freedom of expression. At the same time, human rights must be restored. Although all the political parties are united and supporting the interim government to return to a truly democratically elected parliament in the shortest possible time.
Regarding reforms priority of BNP, Shamimur said, “Our acting chairman has put forward a 31-point national reform proposal containing their demands after discussion with all political parties”.
In the meantime, suggestions have made to ensure the balance of power between the Prime Minister and President, establishing true parliamentary democracy, and welfare state. The country should be free of exploitation and corruption. In that case, Election Commission and Constitution Amendment are must.
He also commented that the state reform will not be possible in a ‘tattered constitution’.
Regarding the next general election, Shamimur said, “Right now it is under discussion. The interim government's chief advisor, advisory council, political leaders, especially the main opposition political party BNP and other political parties will be engaged themselves with intense discussion.
When asked, Shamimur said, “Steps should be taken by BNP to bring Sheikh Hasina back to the country and prosecute her for her crime against humanity, killings, enforced disappearances and BDR mutiny the students”.
During Hasina regime, thousands of leaders and activists of the opposition political parties have been killed. Over thousands killed during the students’ mass uprising. Hasina is the worst murderer in country’s history and his associates who are involved in these murders must be brought to justice with the UN framework. Such a move will definitely help fulfill the people’s expectation.
He also noted that organisational measures have been taken against BNP leaders and activists who were reportedly involved in crimes across the country following the fall of the Awami League government.
