All the victims of discrimination are breathing a sigh of relief with the interim government led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus now in charge. The pains and sufferings endured over 16 long years seem to have been buried in a gem of the heart. However, the victims find themselves in an environment where discussions about injustice, irregularities, and reforms are limited. They see the interim government as their hope for addressing all these issues.
Since the interim government took over, protesters have been flooding the streets of Dhaka with collective demands and calls for reforms. In particular, demonstrators have gathered in front of the Bangladesh Secretariat, the Chief Adviser's residence, and other significant locations in the capital, including Shapla Chattar, to press their demands.
Following the political shift, some members of the Ansar and Village Defense Forces also joined the agitation, echoing the demands of various government departments. Recently, Ansar members protested in front of the Secretariat, calling for permanent employment. Their protests began on August 21, 13 days after the new interim government took office.
On August 25, Ansar members from across the country assembled in front of the Secretariat, blocking roads. They argued that they no longer wanted to work on a daily allowance basis and demanded permanent jobs instead of remaining on 'rest' status.
There are about 70,000 Ansar forces in the country, with 54,651 providing security in various organizations as affiliated members, while the remaining 14,000 are on 'rest', meaning they have no work unless new opportunities arise.
The protesting Ansar members closed all gates of the Secretariat and blocked advisors, officials, and employees. Approximately 10,000 Ansar members surrounded the Secretariat at different times that day, holding seven advisers and other senior officials hostage. According to ISPR, the Director General of Ansar and VDP arrived in the afternoon to address the protesters and accepted all their demands. However, the Ansar members did not leave and even blocked the Director General. Some attempted to breach Gate No. 3 of the Secretariat and clashed with students and security patrols, resulting in injuries to six soldiers, one of whom is in critical condition.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul addressed the media, stating, "Don't try to extract concessions by surrounding the Secretariat; the people will not view it favorably. Students have driven all the changes in the country. As a teacher, I urge you not to resort to unnecessary force."
On August 26, pedal-powered rickshaw pullers protested at Shahbagh intersection with seven demands, including a halt to battery/motorized rickshaws in Dhaka. They left after receiving promises of resolution from authorities. However, battery/motorized rickshaw drivers then staged their own protest at Shahbagh, leading to conflicts between the two groups.
Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus stated, "Since our assumption of office, there have been daily gatherings at the Secretariat and other city locations. We understand the accumulated suffering of the past 16 years. If you do not allow us to work, then all this suffering will be in vain. Please let us work and provide us with written demands. We are not your opponents."
With the interim government now in charge, public and private office employees are protesting daily with various demands.
Following successful movements by village police, the pace of protests has intensified. Bogura Judge Court employees have also protested for various demands, while the Bangladesh Judicial Employees Association has called for amendments to recruitment rules and inclusion of subordinate court employees in the Bangladesh Judicial Service pay scale. Apprentice lawyers are agitating for the cancellation of a controversial written test and reform of the examination system.
It is crucial for logical demands to be addressed, and there is hope that irregularities and discrimination will end, allowing the people of Sonar Bengal to live happily and peacefully. The youth generation's success in this movement is widely desired, but myths and opportunism are complicating the situation. Some groups are inciting different agitators, and there is a notion among some that this is a season for movement. Such opportunistic circles aim to challenge the country and the interim government.
The government and humanitarian groups are currently focused on addressing the flood crisis. In this context, holding protests in Dhaka seems counterproductive. The interim government, not being a party government, aims to restore democratic processes and maintain overall peace and order, which will take time. Managing this situation while addressing logical demands is challenging. Past experiences, such as the police strike following Sheikh Hasina's resignation on August 5, have shown the severe consequences of such disruptions.
To maintain peace, the police administration must be neutral and people-friendly, and public confidence in the police process should be restored. Corruption has become pervasive, and reforms accumulated over 16 years cannot be achieved in 16 days. While the young generation's fight against corruption is commendable, cooperation with the interim government is essential for sustainable progress. We should all support this interim government to ensure peace and order in the country.
The writer is an Advocate and Columnist, Judge Court, Khulna
