Imagine a group of people trapped in a cave for a long time. They have forgotten what sunlight looks like. There is no sense of day or night. Their families do not know whether they are alive or dead. Many have been lost—some have died, and some may have found freedom. The walls of the cave bear the history of their suffering, which might one day be honored as ancient literature.
Now, return to the real world. History has repeatedly shown how dangerous the lust for power can be. People have been locked in dark cells for years just for having different opinions. No news reached their families—a child did not know whether their father was alive, a wife did not know where her husband was. Lives were crushed under the weight of uncertainty day after day. Imagine yourself in that situation—how would it feel?
For the past decade and a half, repression, enforced disappearances, and killings were the policies of those in power in Bangladesh. Thousands were held in secret torture cells, subjected to brutal abuse. State forces were used to crush opposition voices. Some vanished forever, while others returned bearing the burden of unbearable memories. This is how fascism turns a country into a prison.
On August 5, 2024, the long reign of oppression came to an end. But will justice be served to those who suffered? To honor the blood of the martyrs of the people’s uprising, the perpetrators of this brutality must be brought to trial. Those who clung to power through injustice must have their wealth confiscated to rehabilitate the victims.
Can we ensure that no government ever chooses the path of fascism again? History tells us that a nation that forgets its past is doomed to repeat the same mistakes.
Did you know? One of the longest imprisonments in history was that of Nelson Mandela, who spent 27 years in jail simply because he fought for equality and justice.
