Swadesh Roy

In light of the country’s emerging situation, the Army Chief addressed the nation on August 5, 2024. His speech was brief yet highly responsible. The core message of his statement was: “Trust me.” And the reality was that the vast majority of the country placed their trust in him. People remained calm, staying at home or continuing with their work. More than 99% of the population adhered to his call for peace and stability.

However, despite the Army Chief’s plea for calm, some unruly individuals were seen looting government property and turning state institutions into sites of plunder—institutions that belong to the people, not any individual. Additionally, an organized group was observed attacking the police, the very force responsible for protecting lives and property. These attackers ruthlessly killed officers. The Army Chief, in his February 25 speech, acknowledged that the police had been panicked. In reality, the breakdown of the police force’s morale began on August 5, 2024. This led to an escalation of lawlessness across the country—murders, looting, and persecution of minorities. However, the most alarming consequence was that criminals, who posed a threat to national security and were linked to global terrorism, managed to escape from prison. The reason? The police were too panicked to maintain control, and their associates seized the opportunity to break them out.

On the other hand, the conscious citizens of the country witnessed the Army Chief operating strictly within the constitutional framework. He did not declare a state of emergency. Instead, he assisted the President in appointing advisors and forming a civilian government. He facilitated the establishment of a new administration led by an NGO leader—Muhammad Yunus—who, along with his organization, had previously won the Nobel Peace Prize.

But after seven months, the performance of this government speaks for itself. There was nothing new to add after the Army Chief’s recent speech. Generals never use many words to issue a command. True to his role, our General summarized the government’s performance over the past seven months in just one word: “Enough.”

The Army Chief has made his stance clear. Those currently serving as Presidential advisors should take note—just as the Army Chief peacefully facilitated their appointment, now both he and the people believe that “enough is enough.” If they have failed, they should recognize this and step down peacefully. This will allow the country to start fresh, restoring stability and moving forward peacefully.

The Army Chief also explained, in a dignified and measured tone, why the country has reached its current state over the past seven months. He cautioned: “Do not undermine institutions like DGFI, RAB, NSI, and SB.” However, in reality, these institutions have not only been undermined but also defamed. Worse, the advisors who swore an oath to the President not to disclose state secrets have broken their pledge.

Once an individual takes an oath of office, even after leaving power, they have no right to violate state secrecy. Yet, the current administration has done so while still in power. For their own personal gains and future political ambitions, they have defamed national institutions on the global stage. Despite this, the Army Chief chose his words carefully, simply stating: “Do not undermine.”

The Army Chief’s February 25 speech was a warning. He merely cautioned against undermining these institutions. But those who have breached their oaths and defamed state institutions should now face legal consequences. It is up to the country’s legal experts to determine the appropriate course of action. However, breaking a state oath is always considered treason under the law.

The Army Chief’s Speech: A Warning and the Need for Stability

The Army Chief, in his speech, described the current situation as “anarchic.” In reality, both domestically and internationally, it is widely acknowledged that Bangladesh is indeed in a state of anarchy. The Army Chief, in his warning speech, also explained why this anarchy has come about. The task of maintaining law and order falls on the police force. However, many police officers are currently facing charges, some are in jail, and others are on the run. They are in a state of panic, making it impossible for them to perform their duties.

According to the country’s legal framework, each disciplinary force has its own departmental courts and laws. If an officer violates discipline, they are tried and punished within their own court. If an officer commits a personal or unethical act outside their uniformed duties, they can be prosecuted in civil courts like any other citizen. However, when the heads of law enforcement agencies and senior officers are arrested, handcuffed, and imprisoned for carrying out official duties under government directives, the entire force is bound to panic. Under such conditions, it becomes impossible for them to function.

It is now clear to the nation that this systematic panic among law enforcement agencies has been deliberately orchestrated. Over the past seven months, a “private force” has been given government backing to roam freely and act with impunity. This private force has not only destroyed state property, historical landmarks, and personal assets but also attacked the judiciary—one of the pillars of the state. Due to their intimidation and influence, certain judges—whose judgments had previously impressed foreign Chief Justices—were removed from their duties.

For example, during a private discussion, the Chief Justice of Sri Lanka praised the judicial skills of a Bangladeshi High Court judge, stating that his performance surpassed that of judges in appellate divisions of many countries. However, instead of maintaining a judiciary of such caliber, the influence of this private force led to the appointment of new judges, raising concerns about their credibility. To illustrate this, we can refer to a statement made by Mahbub Uddin Khokon, a senior and widely respected lawyer. He remarked that he does not even recognize most of the newly appointed judges. In fact, some of them have no experience handling more than two or three cases in the High Court.

Thus, it is not just law enforcement agencies and the country’s security forces that have been weakened and attacked—the judiciary has also been destabilized. Hundreds of civil administrators have been dismissed from their jobs or jailed, further paralyzing the system.

Additionally, the dignity and character of the nation have been damaged through discriminatory practices. For instance, a large number of police recruits were denied the opportunity to join the force after completing their training. A significant portion of these individuals belong to the Hindu minority community. A state should always remain above religious considerations in such matters. Bringing religion into official recruitment is a clear violation of Article 28(1) of the Constitution. Despite the Constitution’s explicit provisions, neither was the state kept above religious bias, nor was the Constitution upheld.

If we were to examine each of these issues in detail, it would require an entire book. However, as the people of the country have directly suffered from these actions, they have already witnessed everything.

The Path Forward: An Inclusive Election

To overcome this crisis, the Army Chief emphasized the need for an inclusive election leading to a legitimately elected government. Moving toward this goal must begin immediately. Since the Army Chief has stated “Enough,” a full stop must now be placed on the current situation, and the next chapter in the country’s future should begin as soon as possible. The sooner this transition happens, the better it will be for the nation.

To achieve this, a legal mechanism to restore stability must be considered, even if temporarily. From fruit vendors to university professors and professionals of all levels, citizens across the country agree that some form of emergency measure is necessary to stabilize the nation.

Restoring Law and Order

Once legal measures are in place to ensure stability, the first priority must be to implement the Army Chief’s warning:

• The current state of anarchy must end.
• The police force must be freed from fear and restored to normal duty.

To achieve this, a temporary emergency measure must be enacted. At the same time, the police must be given a secure environment where they can work without fear. The first step in this process is to revoke the immunity (indemnity) granted to police killers.

According to Articles 26(1) and 27 of the Constitution, indemnity is not legally permissible. Therefore, this unlawful ordinance must be revoked to restore the natural functioning of the state. The government must act swiftly to protect citizens’ lives and property.

A Growing Threat

Even the day after the Army Chief’s warning, a horrifying new development occurred. Members of the government-backed private force visited homes to identify individuals with differing political views.

This act bears a disturbing resemblance to the tactics of Nazi Germany. In any lawful state, only police and magistrates—who have **legal authority—**can enter private residences. No private force or individuals have that right.

The Nation at a Standstill: A Call for a New Beginning

The country’s business and trade have come to a complete halt. The economy cannot function under these conditions. In an open gathering, business leaders publicly labeled the Chief Advisor’s associates as “enemies of the people” and demanded that they step down. This sentiment is now echoed across all sectors of the country. However, many may not voice their concerns out of fear for their safety and uncertainty about their future.

The Army Chief has shown immense patience over the past seven months. He has not only warned the nation repeatedly but has also summed up the entire period with a single word: “Enough.” Now, the entire nation is looking toward him because Bangladesh needs a fresh start.

Those who were given the chance to prove their competence and impartiality have already revealed their true capabilities—or lack thereof. The country can no longer afford to waste time. There is no room for further deception under the guise of so-called reforms. Moreover, the people are well aware of the competence of those who are being entrusted with these so-called reforms. Therefore, spending state resources on meaningless exercises is pointless.

A Nation at a Crossroads

In today’s globalized world, no country can afford to be isolated. A nation like Bangladesh cannot position itself alongside war-torn countries like Syria or Afghanistan. Yet, that is exactly where the country has been pushed.

The Army Chief’s warning must now mark the beginning of a new path. The people of Bangladesh put their faith in his speech on August 5, 2024. For seven months, the nation has endured a suffocating state of lawlessness and anarchy. However, after the Army Chief’s warning on February 25, the people have found a glimmer of hope—hope for survival and the possibility of real change.

Now, all eyes are on him. History, at times, places an immense burden on the shoulders of certain individuals. When that happens, they must fulfill their duty in the interest of their nation and its people. It is through such moments that history is made and historical figures are born.

Author: National Award-Winning Journalist, Editor of Sarakhon and The Present World.