Illegal occupation, extortion across country a betrayal to dream of ‘New Bangladesh’: Iftekharuzzaman

The Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) called upon all stakeholders, including political parties, to understand and uphold the underlying values of the Anti-discrimination Movement at both party and institutional levels.

Rise in illegal occupation, partisanship, and extortion in the sectors previously controlled by the ousted Awami League government and its leaders are contrary to the vision of a "New Bangladesh," TIB said on Wednesday.

TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman said that the current culture of partisanship, illegal occupation and extortion spreading across the country represents a betrayal to the dream of a "New Bangladesh".

"The Anti-discrimination Movement, which championed equality and justice, led to the collapse of authoritarianism and opened up unprecedented opportunities for state reform and the establishment of a new political culture in the 'New Bangladesh,'" he said.

However, those who view the gains achieved through the unprecedented bloodshed and sacrifice of students and the people as merely their own political victory, while engaging in partisanship, illegal occupation, and extortion, pose a grave threat to the movement's core spirit, he added.

The students envisioned a "New Bangladesh"—a well-governed, democratic nation free from coercion and all forms of abuse of power. "Yet, since the fall of authoritarianism, we have seen a troubling rise in partisanship, extortion, illegal occupation, and efforts to dominate the political landscape nationwide. Those seizing this moment to 'fill the void' left by the Awami League leaders and their affiliates, who held power for 15 years, with a mindset of 'it's our time now,' are following a self-destructive path."

"Different groups appear to be undermining the dream of a 'New Bangladesh', born from the student uprising and promising a non-oppressive, illegal occupation-free nation. Rampant partisanship, illegal occupation, and extortion have emerged across various sectors—land, businesses, leases, public transport—along with unhealthy competition for positions within government institutions," Iftekharuzzaman said.

"We are concerned about the tendency of some people to impose a new form of discriminatory social system from the wreckage of fallen authoritarianism, which is in direct contradiction to the core values of the Anti-discrimination Movement," he said

He further said, "All parties, including political organizations, should learn from this movement. The fall of an authoritarian government should not be seen as an opportunity for personal, party, organizational, or collective interest. No one has the right to undermine the new era that promises to build a state system ensuring equal rights for all citizens. This is the time to transition from an emphasis on state authority to an emphasis on duty towards the state.

"We urge political parties to take steps toward creating a non-discriminatory, non-sectarian, transparent, accountable, and well-governed state that guarantees voting rights, justice, human rights, freedom of expression, and freedom of the media for all citizens," he said.

"TIB believes organizations and individuals opposing authoritarianism need to truly comprehend and apply the lessons learned from the anti-discrimination struggle," Iftekharuzzaman said.