The vitality of a state rests on the consent of its people. When the state seeks to survive solely on force rather than on that consent, its structural foundations are shaky. Today, standing at a deeply critical moment in our national life, the fact is coming forward again and again that there is no alternative way of liberation before us except the complete transition to democracy. Democracy is not just a system of governance, but it is the sure document of a nation’s self-identity, justice and human dignity. Whenever these democratic values are lost from a society, darkness descends and civic life faces a suffocating situation.
In the absence of democracy, the greatest loss that a state suffers is the loss of accountability. In a democratic system the government is accountable to the people, because they know that after a certain period of time they have to return to the people’s court. But when the election environment is corrupted or the people are disenfranchised, the fear of this responsibility no longer remains in the mind of the ruler. As a result abuse of state power started and corruption became institutionalized. This unaccountable regime not only causes political damage, but also breaks the economic backbone of the country. Wealth is concentrated in the hands of a few and the common man becomes more and more marginalized. When the sigh of the middle class and the lower class skyrockets, it should be understood that the balance of the state has been lost due to lack of democracy.
Many want to put democracy in the second row for the sake of development. Their argument is, development first, democracy later. But turning the pages of history shows that development without democracy is never sustainable. Development that takes place without transparency and participatory governance, in fact, provides an opportunity for class looting. When huge sums of money are laundered or squandered behind big mega projects, the responsibility falls on the common people as a tax burden. Real development is meaningful only when it reflects the aspirations of the common man. The transition to democracy increases the importance of public opinion at every level of development, ultimately creating a balanced and welfare-oriented economic structure.
One of the hallmarks of a free society is freedom of expression. This freedom is first affected by the crisis of democracy. When a citizen or journalist is afraid to criticize the wrong policies of the state, when the crime of telling the truth is to go to jail, that society loses creativity. Freedom of expression is not only for journalists or intellectuals, it is the charm of self-defense of ordinary people. Suppressing dissent means stifling the voice of truth. In a functioning democracy, constructive criticism of the government is welcomed, because criticism is the way to correct wrongs. So returning to the path of democracy means building a society without fear, where the voice of the people will be the driving force of the state.
When the rule of law is only the will of the powerful, common people lose faith in the judiciary. A culture of impunity drives a society to the brink of destruction. It is impossible to make these institutions independent without the transition to democracy. Election commission, anti-corruption commission and neutrality of administration is ensured only when the state structure is democratic. Decentralization of power and democratic checks and balances are essential to ensure an administrative system free from political influence.
The need for democracy becomes more apparent when we think about the younger generation. In today’s era of globalization, young people want evaluation of merit and competence. But in systems where only party identity or favoritism to power is the key to success, young people are disillusioned. This brain drain and youth diversion is a long-term loss for a nation. The transition to democracy will allow the youth to play a role in creating new political leadership and reflect their fresh thinking in the governance of the state. Democracy needs to be practiced within the political parties as well, so that dedicated and qualified workers can come to the leadership. If politics of public service is instituted instead of lust for inheritance or power, new artisans of nation building will be created.
This journey to restore democracy is not for any particular person or party, it is a charter of liberation for 16 crore people. The political experience of the last few decades has taught us that a change of power should not only mean a change in appearance, but also a change in the manner of governance. No state can remain stable for long by pushing the people away from the center of power. Bringing back dialogue, tolerance and mutual respect among political parties is the need of the hour. Constructive and people oriented politics should be started instead of destructive politics. Transferring power to the real representatives of the people through a free and fair election is the only solution to this crisis.
Ultimately, democracy is not a luxury, it is our basic right. The spirit of the Great War of Liberation was equality, human dignity and social justice—the foundation of which was democracy. In the light of that spirit, to build a non-discrimination society, we have to return to the democratic system again. No matter how deep the darkness, the dawn will shine. The struggling people of Bangladesh have repeatedly proved with blood that they do not accept dictatorial rule. Today is the time to unite again. A happy, prosperous and self-respecting society can only be ensured if we can ensure the transition to democracy by rising above narrow group interests and being initiated into the mantra of patriotism.
As a law state, we will be able to stand tall in the world. The victory of democracy is what we all want, because in this path lies our ultimate liberation.
Finally, democracy is not a mere luxury or a mere form of governance; It is the oxygen of a state’s survival and the bulwark of a citizen’s self-esteem. Every chapter of Bangladesh’s long political history and struggle reminds us again and again of the fact that whenever the rights of the people are taken away and the common man is pushed away from the center of power, the state becomes structurally fragile. The multifaceted crisis we face in national life today—be it economic disaster, social unrest, or a culture of impunity—is all entwined in a long-standing democratic deficit. The dream of a non-discrimination, exploitation-free and self-reliant state will be realized only when every citizen regains their right to vote and their direct or indirect participation in every important decision-making of the state is ensured.
The transition to democracy is not simply the replacement of one party in power by another, but rather the establishment of a state system where the rule of law is unquestioned, every constitutional institution is free from influence and corruption is a disqualification. No matter how dense the darkness, the infallible law of history is that no force can stand forever in the face of the collective aspirations and struggle for justice of the people. There is no alternative to return to the path of democracy to restore the original spirit of the great liberation war, equality, human dignity and social justice. It is not a matter of compromise, but a struggle for survival.
We have to remember that lack of democracy kills the vitality and creativity of a nation and cripples the society, and the restoration of democracy breathes new life into the dying nation. Therefore, the main commitment of our present time is to establish the real governance of the people through a free, fair and inclusive electoral system, rising above narrow group interests and party politics. Only through this democratic transition can we ensure a stable political environment and long-term economic prosperity. This new path of democracy in the hands of the people will be the final liberation for our nation and the only platform to build a safe and livable Bangladesh for the generations to come.
