By Prof. Dr Sheikh Akram Ali
Every human being desires that, over the course of time, personal aspirations are fulfilled. The same applies equally to the people of a society. They naturally expect to see their hopes and ambitions realized in a meaningful way. People everywhere wish for peace and prosperity in their lives. For this reason, every society strives to meet these aspirations, and in doing so, its leaders play a guiding role. Some nations are fortunate enough to be blessed with capable and visionary leadership and, as a result, have seen their countries move in the right direction. Malaysia and Singapore are often cited as notable examples. The people of Malaysia benefited from the leadership of Dr Mahathir Mohamad, while the people of Singapore enjoyed the fruits of Lee Kuan Yew’s leadership.
Both leaders worked with commitment to fulfil the hopes and aspirations of their people. Lee Kuan Yew was a barrister and a statesman who served as the first prime minister of Singapore from 1959 to 1990. As the founder of modern Singapore, he transformed the post-independence nation into a developed state through decisive political leadership and established it as one of Asia’s Four Tigers. Dr Mahathir Mohamad was a politician, writer and physician who served as the fourth and seventh prime minister of Malaysia. Through his leadership, he earned the title of the “Father of Modern Malaysia”. If we look at the history of Bangladesh, we also witness the rise of a transformative leader.
Martyred president Ziaur Rahman played a comparable role for Bangladesh through his effective leadership, much as Lee Kuan Yew and Dr Mahathir Mohamad did for their respective countries. Ziaur Rahman, however, faced an especially demanding set of circumstances, confronting both domestic and international challenges simultaneously. He succeeded in establishing national unity, restoring democratic practices in society and addressing the aspirations of the people through modernization. At the same time, he took initiatives to keep Bangladesh free from Indian hegemonic influence and incorporated Islamic values into the constitution as fundamental state principles through constitutional amendments.
Ziaur Rahman’s life and work remain an unparalleled source of guidance for the nation, a path later followed by Begum Khaleda Zia. She understood the sentiments and demands of the people and acted accordingly. She emerged as a central figure in national politics and became known as the “Leader of the Nation” (Deshnetri). Her death represents an irreparable loss for both the BNP and the country. Her uncompromising stance on national interests should continue to serve as a guiding principle for future political leaders. The BNP must uphold the ideals and guidance of its founder, Martyred Ziaur Rahman, as the foundation of its future politics. Begum Khaleda Zia’s contribution to the nation was exceptional.
Khaleda Zia endured humiliation and persecution, yet never yielded to Indian hegemonic politics or to the authoritarian rule of Sheikh Hasina. Throughout her political life, she remained committed to fulfilling the aspirations of the people of Bangladesh. Her struggle to protect their rights will remain an inseparable part of the country’s history. Following the mass uprising of July 2024 that led to the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s regime, Bangladesh has entered a period of political transition unlike any seen before. Post-revolution politics has become increasingly complex. Reform, justice and elections have emerged as central concerns for the people, political parties and the current administration alike. Issues that were expected to be resolved within days have remained unsettled even after seventeen months, and the aspirations of the people have yet to be realized.
For all stakeholders of the recent uprising, the aspirations of the people should have been the central focus. Instead, a different reality has emerged. The public expected a new political settlement to be established through the implementation of the July Charter and endorsed through a referendum. While the people want the charter to be given due importance, political parties, particularly the BNP, appear to be prioritizing elections over a referendum. There is also a clear public demand to ensure that Bangladesh does not fall under foreign hegemonic control in the future. Political parties must clearly articulate their positions on foreign policy, especially in relation to India. Post-revolution politics differs fundamentally from past practices, and the youth of the country will not accept secret compromises with forces that played a role in sustaining authoritarian rule.
(The writer is a senior journalist and editor of Military History Journal, can be reached at editorial@metro-morning.com)
