At a roundtable titled “July Uprising: One Year On—Reflections and the Road Ahead” held at the Prothom Alo office in Karwan Bazar, Hossain Zillur Rahman, Executive Chairman of the Power and Participation Research Centre (PPRC), called for a rigorous assessment of the interim government’s first year in office.

Zillur stated that while the past year had seen “sweet words and good intentions,” the real test now lies in evaluating what has been achieved in three crucial areas: justice, reform, and elections. He stressed that discussions must be grounded in accountability and a clearly defined roadmap for future recovery.

From Spectators to Participants

He noted with concern that despite sweeping changes, citizens remain sidelined—spectators to the political drama. “The core task is to bring citizens back into active participation,” he said. While elections are one route, alternative avenues must also be explored. He called for bold protests against the collapse of institutional capability and did not rule out the need for demanding the resignation of those in charge, “so they’re forced to listen.”

Critique of “Bunker Mentality” and Paper Consensus

Referring to recent meetings between interim head Muhammad Yunus and leaders of four political parties, Zillur remarked that public involvement in state affairs is being systematically excluded. He criticized what he termed a “bunker mentality”—a narrow institutional approach that treats the people as passive subjects instead of partners.

He also warned against the illusion of “paper consensus,” which he said undermines real national unity. “There is a parade of textbook credentials,” he said, “but real-world capacity—in policy-making, ministry leadership, negotiations—has collapsed.”

Education, Law and Order, and Unemployment: The Reality Check

Zillur cited the education sector’s deterioration, worsening law and order, and rising unemployment as part of the “accountability ledger.” He referenced reports from Bogura where knife attacks are considered “normal” now. His remarks also touched on police inaction, rising violence against women by youth, and a lack of employment opportunities. He pointed to the surge in informal jobs like electric rickshaw driving in Dhaka as evidence of desperation.

Return of Institutional Corruption

Reflecting on public hopes following the December 2024 ousting of Sheikh Hasina’s regime, Zillur noted that there had been expectations of a new institutional direction. But since then, he observed, “normal state dynamics” resumed—meaning deep-rooted corruption has returned in full force. “The optimism of December has faded,” he said, “and bureaucratic dominance is reasserting itself.”

Citizen Withdrawal as a Red Flag

Zillur warned that the very citizens who had once driven the demand for change are now withdrawing. “This withdrawal is not permanent,” he said, “but it’s a message.” Their hope is eroding, replaced by disillusionment with empty rhetoric and bureaucratic maneuvers, he observed.

Justice vs. Vengeance

Invoking the popular ideal of insaf (justice), Zillur cautioned that choosing revenge as the vehicle for justice could derail the entire mission. “You cannot build justice on a fever of vengeance,” he warned.

Other Participants

The roundtable was moderated by Prothom Alo Executive Editor Sajjad Sharif and featured notable voices including author and public intellectual Farhad Mazhar, democratic rights activist and former Jahangirnagar University professor Anu Muhammad, and Supreme Court senior lawyer Sara Hossain.

The session opened with a minute of silence in remembrance of victims of the recent Bangladesh Air Force jet crash at Milestone School and College in Uttara.