Mujtoba Ahmed Murshed
The struggle for democracy in this country has been ongoing for many years, but what exactly does democracy entail? Is it limited to freedom of speech alone? Certainly not. At its core, democracy is the foundation for the freedom of thought and expression, the establishment of fundamental rights, and empowers people to participate in state-building; creates resistance against oppression and exploitation.
When we discuss freedom of speech, another question arises: Is democracy restricted to the elites? The answer depends on the effectiveness of a society’s framework for balance, the creative political environment, and the awareness of its citizens. Democracy should guarantee equal rights for all, and while this remains true in principle, the political reality in our country is starkly different. The ruling class enjoys all privileges, while the rest are mere spectators. Does this mean democracy is a distant dream for us?
Let us glance at what Western scholars say about democracy to measure our own reality. Darrell West, Vice President of Governance Studies at the Brookings Institution, asserts that democratic societies protect the right of people to express themselves, champion the rule of law, enforce predictable governance, conduct competitive elections, and support an independent media.
From a theoretical perspective, democracy for the people through the Constitution of Bangladesh is established and safeguarded by specific provisions. In this regard, my father, Advocate Mohammad Azizur Rahman, who was elected as an MNA in 1970, spoke in the Constituent Assembly on October 26, 1972, during the discussion of the draft Constitution. He stated, “Regarding Articles 55, 56, and 57 of this Constitution, we have established a responsible parliamentary democracy. In Article 55, we have granted the Prime Minister special responsibilities and powers. We sought the separation of the judiciary from the executive. We desired a system for the Council of Ministers, a parliamentary system, and the rule of law. What we envisioned, we have received. In this Constitution, in Article 7, it is stated that the governance system shall be controlled by sovereign power. I see another provision in the Constitution, Article 21, which states: ‘It is the duty of every citizen to abide by the Constitution and law, maintain discipline, fulfill civic duties, and protect national property.”
The tragic reality is that in this society, the pursuit of material wealth has become a relentless obsession. This obsession with wealth has seeped into every facet of life, especially politics. Political power and economic gain are intertwined to the point of being inseparable. Those in power use it for personal enrichment, rather than for the betterment of society. The state, instead of being a vehicle for justice and equality, is a tool for those in power to secure their interests. As a result, the foundation of democracy is undermined.
The consequences of this system are far-reaching. The gap between the rich and the poor continues to widen, and the promise of democracy is that power should lie with the people, but it becomes increasingly hollow. Instead of a government that serves its citizens, we have a system that serves only the elite, further entrenching their wealth and power while the rest struggle to survive. The dream of a fair society becomes more distant with each passing day.
It is in this context that the true challenge of democracy lies that it is not just about casting votes; it is about ensuring that those votes count, that power is wielded responsibly, and that the interests of all citizens are represented, not just the privileged few. Until we address the deep-seated corruption and inequality in our political system, democracy will remain an elusive ideal, one we can only aspire to, but never fully realize.
When we compare Bangladesh to the developed countries of the world, we see their democracies are far stronger. In countries like the United States and those in the European Union, democracy has been realized through education, cultural traditions, and political processes. However, establishing democracy in Bangladesh has never been easy. The years following our struggle for liberation were marked by political crises, economic instability, and post-war conditions, all of which have made the path to democracy even more challenging. The failure to establish a strong democracy has been significantly influenced by manipulative roles played by donor countries and global powers, and these aspects deserve further scrutiny. International powers, driven by self-interest, have complicated the process.
For years, donor countries have influenced Bangladesh’s economy, development, and policymaking. Organizations like the World Bank, IMF, USAID, and JICA, while providing financial assistance, often attach policy conditions related to market liberalisation or commercial interests. However, when it comes to strengthening democratic institutions, they rarely apply pressure. In fact, when governments serve the economic or geopolitical interests of these donors, they remain silent on democratic deficits or electoral irregularities.
As a result, Bangladesh’s democratic institutions remain weak. The Election Commission, judiciary, and media are often controlled, preventing them from functioning independently. This creates an invisible web of influence, where ruling governments focus more on securing foreign support than being accountable to the people. Additionally, the competition between donor countries and larger powers deepens the divisions within political parties, further damaging democracy in the long term.
The role of the media in safeguarding democracy is critical. If the media can protect public opinion, free thought, and internal discourse, the foundation of democracy strengthens. Therefore, for the healthy development of democracy, fundamental changes in the state’s system are necessary. No individual should deceive the people for personal interests or bow to the demands of donor groups. Despite these claims, our political system is still centered on individuals, with no institutional structures to support democracy. Democracy can only function properly when a state’s system is accountable to its people and respects their opinions. Bangladesh’s political system often favours individual power, not aligning with the core principles of democracy.
In the journey toward establishing democracy, Bangladesh’s social structure has never fully adopted the correct perspective on democracy. Yet, does the struggle stop? Does the fight for democracy become futile? Absolutely not. The struggle for democracy in our country continues, ensuring the voice for safeguarding people’s rights does not fall silent. In this zone, as we see, newspapers served not just as news sources but as powerful platforms to illuminate dark corners of society at different times. However, the bitter truth is that newspapers have, at times, been used for political purposes. As a result, the freedom of the press has been constantly under threat. Government control over the media has obstructed the development of democracy and raised questions about the recognition of people’s freedoms. Whenever the free movement of the press is halted, the democratic infrastructure is immediately damaged.
Finally, I would like to say that in Bangladesh’s political context, the lack of power transition, mutual distrust between political parties, and the absence of true political awareness among the people are major barriers to the healthy development of democracy. Overcoming these obstacles requires strong emphasis on education, cultural practices, and collective efforts. Democracy can never be established in isolation. It is a collective endeavor, achieved through the integration of the state, the people, the media, educational institutions, and social organisations.
To strengthen democracy’s foundation, the protection of free thought and freedom of expression must be guaranteed. This requires heightened awareness among the people, so they feel responsible toward democracy. For Bangladesh’s democracy to be guided on the right path, the combined efforts of the government, political parties, educational institutions, social forces, and the media are essential. The real power of democracy lies with the people, and the struggle to safeguard their institutional power and rights is the true beauty of democracy.
The writer is a political analyst, poet and litterateur
