Victory Day returns with renewed hope for democracy
As Bangladesh marks Victory Day today, the national mood is a complex blend of sombre remembrance, cautious optimism, and electric anticipation. Flags fluttering from rooftops commemorate the 1971 liberation from Pakistan—a war that secured independence but left the country with colossal human loss and an economy in ruins. Like many nations, Bangladesh is shaped by its scars. Yet, it has repeatedly defied odds. This year, however, amid political upheaval, there is something more potent than resilience in the air: hope.
Traditionally, Victory Day is a tribute to the martyrs of 1971. But this December, as it did last year, the day carries an additional meaning. We honour the architects of independence, but also commemorate those whose sacrifice dismantled Sheikh Hasina's 15-year grip on power in 2024. Their deaths have expanded the moral meaning of Victory Day, linking past liberation to present resistance against misrule.
Bangladesh now stands at a rare political and economic confluence. On the one hand, the country is on the brink of economic graduation, set to shed its least developed country status next year. On the other hand, it is poised for political renewal, with a national election slated for February. The interim government has moved to steer the nation towards the ballot box despite formidable challenges along the way. As a result, the coming election is not seen merely as a procedural necessity, but as a moment of political exhilaration—and reckoning. The stakes could not be higher, because the political landscape has shifted. The young people who stood before police, water cannons and bullets in 2024 are now a political force. They will scrutinise the next government with a hawk's eye. Any new administration must resist the familiar temptation of vengeful, winner-takes-all politics.
Bangladesh has mastered the art of survival, but it has struggled with the craft of democracy. Hasina's rule proved especially corrosive: civil liberties were systematically crushed, and the key opposition party was hollowed out. This year, Victory Day, therefore, is more than a celebration. A true success story demands a nation that can argue without silencing dissent and govern without oppression.
Beyond politics, the economy demands urgent attention. Inflation now functions as a regressive tax on the poor and the squeezed middle class, while persistently high unemployment threatens to sour the optimism of the youth. Addressing these twin pressures is not just an economic imperative—it is a political one. Therefore, the message of this Victory Day is unmistakable: the work of nation-building is unfinished. The garment sector—the engine of the economy—needs a fairer deal for its workers. Minority rights must be shielded from violence and exclusion. And the environment, particularly the capital's hazardous air quality, requires immediate triage.
Victory was won in 1971 through heroic sacrifice. It will be more meaningful if we can now deliver justice, dignity, and democracy—not just endure, but govern ourselves better.
