When things go wrong, it’s always the bureaucrat’s fault, the police’s fault, or some other government official’s fault. We’re more than happy to criticize and condemn them. But when it comes to the people, there’s a deafening silence. A new reality has emerged in Bangladesh. After the student protests against inequality, the interim government has faced growing demands for reforming the state structure. There are calls for changes in areas where the current system could lead to authoritarianism and fascism. These protests aim to curb police brutality and prevent bureaucrats from exploiting their positions. The government has taken it upon itself to remind public servants that they are servants of the people and are paid with taxpayers’ money.
While it’s easy to blame the opposition, a more objective look reveals a complex picture. Consider this: a person is stopped by a sergeant hundreds of kilometers from home and their relative, a police officer, is called to intervene. Or, people feel a sense of pride when they know someone in a position of power. They are quick to exploit these connections, whether it’s for medical appointments, train tickets, job recommendations, or even legal matters. Regardless of whether the person they’re asking is capable or willing, they persist. People often resort to shaming and blackmail to get what they want.
It’s hard to suppress the urge to laugh when colleagues or people in society who exploit their positions or connections for personal gain start preaching about ethics. Even when someone close, like a friend’s relative, who is in a position of power, pleads on their behalf, it’s difficult to remain silent. It’s one thing to intercede when someone’s rights are being violated or they are being falsely accused, but it’s quite another to endorse wrongdoing, such as compelling others to engage in illegal activities or compromising their integrity. Unless one is extremely honest, it’s difficult to outright refuse such requests. This inability to say no is often exploited by opportunists who assume that silence implies consent. When someone ascends to a position of power or influence, they are often surrounded by people seeking favors, creating a situation that can be detrimental to everyone. This favoritism often begins with a sense of shame but eventually evolves into widespread corruption.
A significant portion of the lawsuits and disputes in our courts are frivolous. There have been numerous instances reported in the news where people have even harmed or killed their own children to frame others. Land disputes often lead to violence and legal battles. It’s clear that the police and judiciary are not the sole instigators of these cases. Moreover, the desire for quick service, the willingness to achieve one’s goals by any means necessary, and political vendettas are also fueled by bureaucratic apathy. While it’s easy to blame bureaucrats and politicians, the public is equally responsible for the prevalence of corruption. Their silence in the face of injustice, their willingness to accept bribes, and their blind support for political parties contribute to the problem. As long as individuals prioritize their own interests and are unwilling to stand up for what is right, corrupt practices will continue to thrive.
If we let slip the opportunity for reform that now presents itself to the nation, it will be a suicidal decision. Holding elections without any changes will only lead to subsequent governments following in the footsteps of their predecessors. The nation’s fortunes will remain unchanged. A constitution that condones the authoritarian whims of party leaders, a police force that becomes a tool of oppression for the people, a bureaucracy that facilitates the embezzlement of the nation’s wealth, and politicians who plunder the people’s resources—continuing with this outdated system through elections will amount to little more than a cosmetic change.
The sacrifices, injuries, and lives lost by students and the public to bring about this opportunity for change must not be wasted. There is a severe lack of awareness among the people of this country. A certain section, blinded by self-interest, is directly involved in conspiring against the state, even while being fully aware of the consequences. Unless the rule of law and good governance are ensured, and unless patriotism is instilled in the people, the fate of the people will not change. On the contrary, instead of eradicating inequality, the movement against inequality will only lead to its exacerbation.
The people of this country must be compelled to change. The law must be enforced to straighten out the crooked. Only then will the character of the rulers change. Those who have ascended to positions of power due to public apathy have exploited the people. There are very few politicians in this country who have voluntarily come to power and remained honest. By providing politicians with opportunities to amass wealth, the people have also become complicit in this injustice. The overall misery of Bangladesh after 54 years of independence is unacceptable, yet corruption has been rampant.
The mere mention of government employees evokes a negative reaction. However, these employees could not have committed these injustices without the tacit approval of the people. When a member of a family is corrupt, instead of being ostracized, their wealth is shared by all. When a politician commits wrongdoing, instead of being opposed, people seek their patronage. This has made it easy for dishonest politicians to gain social acceptance.
For the country’s sake, people must become aware of their rights. If they cannot sacrifice small personal interests and do not think about the nation, then the social and political landscape of this state will not change. The laborer will forever remain a laborer, and the rich will accumulate even more wealth. If people fail to claim their rights, the reformist ideas of interim governments will die at the very beginning of their journey. If the old traditional ways continue, inequality will never decrease, and the fate of ordinary people will not change. It is no use blaming everything on the opposition. That won’t change our fate. Rather, we must correct our own shortcomings as ordinary people. We cannot force people to be virtuous. We need both gentleness and firmness. Just as we must be aware of our own rights, so too must we stop any injustice that we see. Committing an injustice and tolerating an injustice are both crimes. The money that goes into the pockets of government officials as bribes does not go there on its own; we give it. If we are forced to give bribes and are always in a hurry when receiving services, then the fate of this nation will not change except for the worse. The people have been the same under all governments! People must be reformed for the sake of the country. Otherwise, this bloody revolution will be meaningless, and those who are part of or support the revolution will eventually have to pay a terrible price.
