At a dialogue titled “Challenges and Actions for the Interim Government,” organized by the Center for Policy Dialogue (CPD), speakers called for an extensive constitutional amendment. They stressed the need to address the culture of impunity that has persisted in Bangladesh over the past 15 years and emphasized the importance of constitutional and legal reforms for economic development.
The event, moderated by CPD Executive Director Dr. Fahmida Khatun, began with a minute of silence in remembrance of the victims of the quota reform protests. Dr. Khatun discussed the need for the interim government to outline a clear administrative structure for short-term, medium-term, and long-term progress. She highlighted the importance of creating a platform for students who participated in the movement, warning that without such a platform, future political shifts could negate the movement’s achievements.
Badiul Alam Majumdar, Secretary of Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (Shujan), described the students’ protest as a pivotal moment in Bangladesh’s history, likening it to a “second liberation.” He emphasized the necessity of constitutional and legal reforms, urging the creation of a civic consensus to ensure continuity across governments. Majumdar also called for a comprehensive overhaul of the law enforcement structure, condemning its past role as a tool of partisan oppression and stressing the need for accountability.
Protest coordinator Nushrat Tabassum urged against the formation of partisan forces within law enforcement and called for reforms across all branches of the military and intelligence agencies. She highlighted the need to eliminate corruption and partisan influence to achieve meaningful reform.
Former finance secretary Muslim Chowdhury raised concerns about the constitutionality of recent events, suggesting that the current constitution might need to be rewritten. Local government expert Dr. Tofail Ahmed supported the idea of a constitutional commission to undertake reforms, which the subsequent government would then approve.
Mustafizur Rahman, a special fellow at the CPD, pointed to the need for a participatory democratic system, rooted in the aspirations of the student-led movement. He emphasized the importance of involving the younger generation in this process to ensure lasting solutions.
Technology expert Fahim Masroor discussed economic disparities, noting that the 2017 salary increases for government employees had created inequalities between the public and private sectors, sparking the student movement. He suggested reducing government salaries to address this imbalance and also advised on reforms in the banking system. Masroor additionally raised concerns about Bangladesh’s power security, noting the country’s reliance on Indian power and urging proactive measures to address potential vulnerabilities.
