I’ve been feeling deeply troubled since this morning. Every time I scroll through Facebook, I encounter conspiracies. When I turn to YouTube, the same discussions resurface. And every page of the newspaper is filled with unsettling news about the future of our country. It’s suffocating. In what direction are we heading? What is truly happening behind the scenes? As ordinary people, we are left in the dark, unable to know or even comprehend the truth.
My wife often says, “What’s the use of all this talk about the ginger merchant’s ship? What difference will it make, all this research and speculation? Will your words really change anything?” It’s hard not to be surprised by her question. Honestly, what do I have to offer? No wealth, no high status—who will listen to me? Maybe no one does. Perhaps the words I speak vanish into thin air. But I will not stop. Speaking the truth is my religious duty. Whether anyone listens or not, I will continue to speak.
I told my wife, “You know, my father was a freedom fighter, though he never received any official certificate. He led a simple life without recognition, but to us, he was a true hero. I never got the chance to ask him for anything, but I will never forget his sacrifice and his contribution to the country. We, the children of freedom fighters like him, will never regret their contribution. Their ideals live on in our hearts. I have always tried to teach my children the true value of our Liberation War, ensuring they never believe in false versions of history.”
Then I added, “You know, when I was the operations manager at the bank’s remittance center in Saudi Arabia, I witnessed and faced many challenging times. But through it all, I encouraged countless people to send money through official banking channels. For almost 25 years, I never stopped working to help fellow Bangladeshis and educate them on the benefits of the banking system. I understood how crucial remittances are for our country; they are the lifeblood of our economy. Back then, I would explain to so many expatriates every day, ‘Use banking channels instead of hundi, because it’s good for the country. The country’s economy will become stronger.’ I knew that even if I could make a small difference and get people to understand, it would contribute to the development of our nation. That’s why I worked so hard. It was my job to encourage and assist hundreds of people every day in sending their remittances.”
“But what do I see today? The current state of the country’s banks, the alarming decline in reserves—everything seems to be falling apart. Looking at today’s political leadership, it feels as though we’ve walked straight into a massive trap. The banks are now engulfed in corruption, mismanagement, and various wrongdoings. The situation has deteriorated so badly that the country’s economy is in ruins, and the previous Awami League government must take responsibility for this. These fascists are looting the country’s resources, smuggling them abroad, and betraying the people. Meanwhile, we—those of us trying to follow the honest path, who truly love the country—find ourselves in a perilous position.”
“Today, our situation is such that we are lost, with no clear direction. We have no idea what the future holds, and no understanding of where the country is headed. All our lives, we have wanted to contribute something good to our country, to do something meaningful for others. Yet now, we watch helplessly as everything slips out of our grasp. The very people who are looting the country’s resources continue their activities without any opposition or consequence. Can we accept this? Is this the future we have to face?”
That is why I am speaking today, because I can no longer calm my mind. I am consumed by intense anger and frustration about what is happening in the country, about how everything is unfolding. When I see the constant news of state corruption, money laundering, and the looting of people’s hard-earned money, I feel like I can no longer bear it. If I am punished for speaking out—whether it’s jail, a fine, or even hanging—I will accept it, because it is no longer possible to remain silent about the truth.
Six months have passed since the interim government was formed. Many individuals have been arrested for laundering vast amounts of money through both domestic and foreign banking channels. Some have caused a crisis in the country’s banking system through defaulted loans. They have been apprehended, but why are they not being punished through a speedy trial tribunal? Why have no steps been taken to recover their illegal assets for the country? Why is there such delay in taking effective action against these criminals? The people are watching, waiting for justice. Why does it not come swiftly?
Today, we find ourselves in a situation where the people will no longer sit quietly. There is no point in staying silent any longer. The government must take swift action, and exert international pressure where necessary. But that is not happening. While their illegal wealth continues to grow, the people are sinking deeper into poverty.
The most pressing question is: why is the international tribunal not preparing a framework for punishing these fascist murderers? How much more evidence is needed to prove that our country has been exploited for so long? Will they truly get away with it? This is not just my fear—it is the fear of the entire nation. The real criminals may one day escape justice, and their destructive activities will continue unchecked. If action is not taken against them, the country will never be able to move forward on the path of progress.
There is no shortage of Mir Jafars in our country—people who believe their own interests outweigh the good of the nation. If these Mir Jafars align with the fascists, our country will face even greater peril, and the consequences could be catastrophic. If they stand with the forces that exploit the nation, what will be left for the common people? Where will their rights go? These questions keep me up at night, and I know many others share these concerns. The people are watching, and we are all asking the same thing: will justice prevail, or will we continue to suffer under the weight of corruption and exploitation?
There is no need to wait any longer, because the environment that has been created in the country has made it nearly impossible for us to survive. We find ourselves in a strange and suffocating situation, where our daily lives are shaped by the very environment that has been fostered by the fascists. Many parts of the government and administration, even crucial sectors of the country, are now dominated by their supporters or collaborators. Even some bureaucrats are aligned with them, further worsening the situation.
There was once hope among the people that the interim government would bring about some much-needed reforms and steer the country in a new direction. We were all optimistic, because the interim government seemed like a possibility that could resolve some of our pressing issues. But now, with every passing day, it becomes clearer that the fascists are determined to regain power. They are relentlessly seeking help from their old collaborators, and their efforts to return to power continue unabated.
This delay only strengthens their resolve, and it feels as if the people’s hopes for a better future are slipping away. The very change we were hoping for now seems more distant than ever, as the forces of corruption and tyranny fight to reclaim control. How much longer can we stand in this uncertain and oppressive environment?
It is deeply troubling to see that the fascists’ accomplices are still roaming freely in our society, and no effective action is being taken against them. Why are they not being arrested? Why are no steps being taken to hold them accountable? Despite everything, their position remains strong, and they continue to use their power for their own selfish interests. Because they are a significant part of society, they are emboldened to commit more and more crimes in an effort to further strengthen their hold.
Our question is simple: when it is absolutely crucial for the development of the country to take action against these criminals, why are they still being allowed to roam free? If they are not punished for their misdeeds, will our hopes for a better future ever be realized? Will the future of the country not be placed in grave danger? If we do not confront these fascists today, their power will only grow in the future, and they will create a dire situation in society.
BNP Vice Chairman Mr. Tarique Rahman’s comment, “The heads of the fascists have left the country, but their bodies remain in the country,” is both a reflection of the current political reality and a warning of what lies ahead. On one hand, it reveals the deep concern over the state of the country today, and on the other, it signals the persistent power of these forces within our society. Tarique Rahman’s statement encapsulates a deep theoretical analysis, highlighting that while the leaders of these fascist forces may have fled, their supporters are still demonstrating power at various levels of society. And should they ever regain strength, it could pose a serious threat to the country’s democracy and civil liberties.
In such a context, it is no surprise that panic is beginning to take hold among the general public. When such political forces are active, they jeopardize the progress and freedom of the nation. The fact that the ‘body’ of this fascist force still exists is a direct threat to the rule of law, democracy, the judicial system, and the fundamental rights of the people. The mismanagement and corruption they perpetuate can have disastrous consequences for the nation, eventually leading to its economic, political, and social decline. The stakes are higher than ever, and if we fail to act now, we risk undermining the very foundations of the country’s future.
The fear surrounding the possibility of fascists returning to power is indeed alarming. If they manage to regain their former position, the country will be thrust into a dark era—one where human freedom, freedom of expression, and the independence of state institutions will face immense challenges. Their presence will serve as an exploitative and divisive force within society, pushing the nation toward destruction and spreading discontent and hatred among its people.
To overcome this perilous situation, it is imperative to establish good governance in the country and take decisive action against all forms of corruption. Vigilance must be the highest priority in safeguarding the country’s democracy, upholding good governance, and protecting human rights. Additionally, the political and legal systems must be strengthened to ensure that fascist forces cannot rise again.
The people of the country must come together, united in their voice and their cause, to protest against this force and ensure that it never again has the chance to endanger the future of the nation. Only by standing firm, with determination and solidarity, can we safeguard the values that bind us together and prevent the erosion of our freedoms and rights.
It is absolutely crucial that the fascists are not allowed to return to power, for if they do, the safety and progress the country once experienced will be lost. Their return would not only endanger the rights, freedoms, and democracy of the people, but it could also establish an era of exploitation and injustice, potentially setting the country back for generations. The dark future they represent threatens to undo the strides made by the nation, and their continued presence would endanger the very foundation of our society.
With this understanding, it is imperative for the entire nation to unite and send a clear, resolute message: the fascists must never be allowed to come to power again, under any circumstances. This is not a call made out of fear, but out of the urgency of preserving the future of our country and its people.
To prevent this from happening, immediate steps must be taken. The interim government must implement the necessary reforms without delay, and the scheduling of free, fair, and transparent elections must be prioritized. These measures will be crucial in ensuring that the country stays on a path of democracy, peace, and prosperity, and that the destructive forces of fascism never again gain a foothold in our nation.
The urgency of initiating the reform program cannot be overstated. If the interim government delays or hesitates, it will leave the country vulnerable to the resurgence of fascist forces, and the political, economic, and social stability we hope for will be irreparably compromised. Without proper law and order, good governance, and transparency, the public will lose faith in the system, and there will be no security for the people. It is crucial that the interim government acts swiftly to carry out the necessary reforms and sets a date for free and fair elections.
We urge the government to take immediate action to finalize these reforms, for the future of the nation depends on it. A timely election will give the people of the country the opportunity to express their will and elect a leadership that reflects their values and aspirations. This election has the potential to set Bangladesh on a new path—a path toward a stronger, more peaceful, and prosperous nation, free from the shadow of fascism.
The sooner the election is held, the sooner the country will be able to regain its rightful direction. Trust will be restored among the people, and the road to progress and prosperity will be paved with unity and hope. Our collective efforts will ensure that the future of Bangladesh remains bright, where the forces of fascism have no place and the will of the people prevails.
