Reforms must begin to address piling problems: Fahmida

Immediate measures are needed to bring relief to the public and reforms must begin to address the accumulated problems, Economist and Executive Director of the Centre for Policy Dialogue Fahmida Khatun said today.

"Hearing about state repair had raised our expectations and ambitions, but it was detached from reality. Immediate measures were needed to bring relief to the public, and reforms must begin to address the accumulated problems," she said during a discussion titled "Dialogue for Democratic Reconstruction: The Issue of Constitutional Institutions" at the auditorium of the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies in Dhaka's Eskaton Garden today (30 January).

The country's development narrative during the 15-year rule of the previous government was entirely hollow, she said.

"The institutional erosion over the past 15 years is the reason behind today's economic fragility. Their development narrative was entirely hollow—it was a system based on inequality, where employment did not increase," she added.

Twenty-five discussants took part in the discussion organised by the Centre for Governance Studies.

The speakers discussed seven different aspects of constitutional institutions. In particular, they focused on issues such as political influence on institutions, the Election Commission, the Human Rights Commission, the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General, the Public Service Commission, and the role of the Anti-Corruption Commission.

Zahed Ur Rahman, political analyst and adjunct faculty member at Independent University, said, "Our movement was aimed at the fall of Sheikh Hasina. After the mass uprising, we wanted to turn it into a revolution. Our expectations have also grown."

Zahir Uddin Swapon, adviser to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party chairperson, said, "An interim government can only replace a democratic government through a systematic process. Many believe that reforms can be achieved overnight by imposing a process designed by intellectuals onto the public mindset. However, there is a significant gap between this perception and reality."

Mojibur Rahman Manju, member secretary of the AB Party, said, "To change the system and culture, we must aspire to a revolution. A shift in mindset is essential — without it, reforms will not be effective."

Zonayed Saki, coordinator of Ganosamhati Andolon Bangladesh, said, "Our mindset has already changed — that is why 2,000 people sacrificed their lives. However, to bring about a broader shift in mindset, the system itself must change. Only then will individuals' perspectives evolve. For this, a transformation of the state is necessary."

Barrister Shihab Uddin Khan, an advocate of the Supreme Court, said, "The heavy and complex wording in the constitution had kept the nation divided, and these must be removed."

Advocate Subrata Chowdhury, executive president of Gono Forum, said, "Reforming the political parties is crucial because, collectively, the parties have weakened the institutions."

Muhammad Abdul Mazid, former chairman of the National Board of Revenue, said, "If appointments and oversight are carried out through constitutional commissions, the government will not be able to seize control of the state or reclaim institutions. Once a judicial watchdog is established, it will help alleviate at least some of the divisions. We will not be able to free ourselves from the ongoing self-contradictions unless these changes occur."

Badiul Alam Majumdar, secretary of SHUJAN and head of the Electoral System Reform Commission, said, "People did not take to the streets merely for Sheikh Hasina to leave. The desire for change has gradually taken deep root in the hearts of the people."