Ok…what’s done is done…there’s no point in evaluating the advisory panel unless and until we see their activities and/ or performance.
Few observations-
First of all, please do remember, we have named this a ‘revolution’, not just a mere movement. And the word revolution has a specific meaning. Revolution is not just about change in power or replacing one group of political elites with another. Instead it is about changing the socio-political structure, designing a new system which would bring an end to the earlier one. If you really think that what happened in July is a revolution, not just yet another movement, you need to embrace that belief.
Secondly, the students and the mass who fought and died in this revolution made it very clear that they don’t want change, they want transformation. They want to build a Bangladesh where discrimination has no place, a Bangladesh that is inclusive, a Bangladesh that would be for everyone irrespective of their religious and/ or gender identity, irrespective of their opinions and beliefs. This is what we aim to achieve. Let’s keep that in mind.
Thirdly, the advisors and it doesn’t matter who they are, must remain committed towards achieving the overall goal set by the citizens of the country. We are grateful to them because they have assumed this responsibility in a critical time and we all want them to succeed. Otherwise, everything is lost.
Fourthly, having said that it is important to note that we cannot simply have complete and absolute faith in a government, in any government even if it is run by the angels. My students know that I am a big fan of Madison’s statement- “If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary.” Therefore, even the best-intentioned government needs to be accountable for its performance.
If all of the above is right (I mean if you think so), here is the most important point- we may trust the advisors individually, but right now, there is no effective external control over the government. There is no parliament, no standing committee and the earlier authoritarian regime has destroyed all the institutions of accountability. Therefore, it has eventually become the responsibility of the students and the general mass to observe the performance of the government, ask questions and demand regular performance update. I understand that this is too much to ask from the students (considering what they have done and are still doing), but we still need to be vigilant. The students should focus on immediately establishing a shadow government with the support from and in partnership with their trusted partners.
Let’s be hopeful and optimistic but cautiously optimistic. We all have to contribute…
✍️ Dr. Asif M Shahan
Advisor, Youth Policy Forum – YPF