Stay vigilant to foil any plot to topple interim government, Prof Ali Riaz urges students, public, political parties

Students, the public and political parties should prepare and stay vigilant to thwart any conspiracies aimed at overthrowing the interim government, said Ali Riaz, a political scientist and distinguished professor at Illinois State University, during a webinar on Monday.

The country still remains at a critical juncture after Sheikh Hasina resigned as prime minister and fled to India, he cautioned at the webinar – “Bangladesh after the Popular Uprising: What Needs to Be Done Now” – organised by The Forum for Bangladesh Studies.

Mr Riaz called on the government to immediately bring to book those responsible, including Hasina, for the genocide of students during the recent quota reform movement that ultimately led to the fall of the Awami League government.

“It is essential for this government to file cases against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for crimes against humanity”, he said, suggesting that if necessary, the matter could be brought before the International Criminal Court.

The political scientist also called for action against those who had issued orders for the killings—such as Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, and former Law Minister Anisul Huq.

Other speakers, including Sushashoner Jonno Nagorik (Shujan) secretary Badiul Alam Majumder,  Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) executive director Iftekharuzzaman and Head of the Governance and Politics Cluster of BIGD, BRAC University Mirza M Hassan also spoke at the webinar.

They called for urgent reforms in constitutional institutions, including the parliament and the judiciary, to address the collapse of state structures over the past 15 years and fullfill the aspirations of the people uprising. Political parties must also embrace the public's aspirations, they added.

They also called on the government to set the deadline for the next national election as early as it is possible.

Mr Majumder said that an unbearable situation in the country led to the popular uprising.

He emphasised that the interim government is acting as a crisis management entity, aiming to rescue the country from this predicament.

He further noted that two key messages have emerged from the movement: First, those who have committed injustices and crimes against humanity must be brought to justice through proper investigation. Second, to prevent a recurrence of such a situation, far-reaching reforms must be undertaken, including constitutional and institutional reforms, must be undertaken. These reforms are both time-consuming and urgent.

 The Shujan secretary also mentioned that a political settlement is necessary to carry out these reforms. Some reforms will need to be implemented later by those who come to power through elections. A national charter must be formulated through dialogue and agreements with political parties.

Mr Iftekharuzzaman stated that there have been multiple incidents of human rights violations, and those responsible must be held accountable to ensure justice.

He suggested that the United Nations' assistance might be necessary in this regard.

He also stressed the importance of ensuring freedom of speech, press freedom, and the right to information, while calling for the repeal of all repressive laws.

Mr Hassan said the current demands for institutional reforms are based on the groundwork laid in 2007-08.

However, much of that was later erased or undone, he said.

“Now, efforts must be made to re-establish the relationship between the state and society on a new foundation. We need to re-think democracy from a fresh perspective”, he said.

Journalist Monir Haider moderated the event, while Foyez Ahmad Tayyab, a writer specialising in sustainable development, presented a keynote paper.

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