Fatema Tuzz Zohora

The present unelected administration enjoys a level of popular backing rarely witnessed in Bangladesh's political history. The people of Bangladesh are expecting that the future will definitely be better than any time in the past. The government's honeymoon period is over. Although there is no time to lose reliance, it is time to review the calculation of success and failure.

After 16 years of rule, dictator Sheikh Hasina fled amid mass uprisings, leaving behind a looted, debt-ridden economy. Despite visible development, it was actually a festival of horrific looting. The interim government, facing inflation, raised taxes and took strategic steps to boost internal revenue and reduce reliance on foreign loans. As of March 26 this year, remittances of US$ 2.94 billion have arrived, a record amount compared to any previous single month. The country's reserves have increased by Tk 2,140 crore. This is the result of the proper economic policy of this interim government. Foreign assistance is also increasing over time. China has confirmed that Bangladesh will be given duty-free export facilities till 2028. China has promised to invest US $2.1 billion with assistance in the Teesta project. Despite the debt burden, the shortage of wealth, administrative weakness and policy-making constraints, the government has already dealt with major challenges such as controlling inflation, payment of the country's foreign investment, and creating new employment and new investment. The Rohingya problem has also become a major issue over time. Immediately after the UN announced that it would reduce food aid to the Rohingya from April this year, the interim government accompanied UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to demonstrate the Rohingya situation on the ground. In light of this, the Myanmar junta government recently agreed to repatriate 180,000 Rohingya. To maintain the supply and price of goods in the market, the NBR has reduced the duty on imports of potatoes, onions and pesticides and has also issued a special order withdrawing regulatory duty in some cases. Along with increasing production, various complications at the import stage have reduced the prices of goods to a tolerable level. Which has brought relief to the public. The most notable achievement of the interim government is that this government is not centred on one person. The advisors of each ministry are working independently, and no allegation of corruption has been found against any of them. The people are able to openly criticise this government, which is quite important in the socio-economic structure of Bangladesh.

The government has also shown several limitations in the past 8 months, including its failure to bring the law and order situation to a satisfactory level. Mob justice has taken a prominent form. The slow pace of the trial of the July massacre is quite disappointing and has failed to bring most of the culprits to justice. Many who were directly involved in the attack on the student crowd are roaming around on bail using various tactics.Many innocent Awami League supporters faced unjust persecution, which is unacceptable. Religious clashes also occurred in several places. The government must act more strictly to ensure safety and protect every citizen’s life.

One of the major failures of this government is the failure to ensure timely and proper treatment for all those injured in the July coup. The government has not taken any significant steps regarding many of the discussed killings, including the Sagar-Runi killings and the Peelkhana killings. The government is completely unsuccessful in highlighting the horrors of the Ayanaghor. The pictures of the ayanghor that came in the media clearly showed painted walls and newly installed tiles. Is this an attempt to protect some influential figures?The core task of this government is to dismantle bureaucracy, ensure transparent governance, and bring structural reforms to the system and constitution—goals yet to be achieved.

To build a new Bangladesh, we must unite to fulfil the dream of thousands of grieving mothers who lost their children. The tendency among political parties to use the demands of the people for their own interests and to impose their own demands as the demands of the people is quite old. In this rebuilding phase, people expect more responsible leadership and true reflection of their voices.

The biggest ray of hope in the current government is that patriotism is taking precedence over politics of self-interest, which is rare in the 53-year history of Bangladesh. In the new Bangladesh, politics of self-interest should not ride on the back of patriotism in any way, and political parties should play a key role in this regard. To make this government successful, everyone has to work together in the interests of the new Bangladesh, just like July.

The writer is a student Department of Mathematics,University of Dhaka.She can be reached at Email:fatematuzzzohoradumath100@gmail.com