‘Bangladesh Sangskar Andolon’ launches campaign for 5-yr interim govt
Published: 18 April 2025, 6:16:01
Student-citizen across capital united to demand extensive reforms before any elections take place, announcing the formation of ‘Bangladesh Sangskar Andolon’ (Bangladesh Reform Movement) with theme ‘Reforms First, Then Elections; People First, Then Power’
On Friday, April 18, movement took a firm stance, warning an indefinite hunger strike if their demands for a minimum five-year interim government are not met. This escalation comes in the wake of what protesters are calling the “2024 massacre.”
Reform advocates insist that perpetrators of July movement’s violence must face justice during interim government’s tenure.
They have outlined a comprehensive reform agenda requiring at least five years to implement before elections can be considered legitimate.
“We cannot rush back to polling stations without addressing the fundamental issues plaguing our governance system,” said one activist addressing the growing crowd.
Movement’s platform emphasises proper electoral sequencing, demanding local elections must precede national contests without exception. This approach aims to rebuild democratic foundations from grassroots level upward.
Protesters are calling for immediate removal of “corrupt and fascist allies” from key administrative positions, to be replaced by qualified individuals chosen on merit rather than political connections.
The reform package also proposes raising standards for political candidacy, with bachelor’s degree becoming minimum educational qualification for all election contestants.
“How can someone govern effectively without basic educational qualifications?” questioned another movement representative. “This is about ensuring competent leadership for Bangladesh’s future.”
Bangladesh Sangskar Andolon has articulated five critical demands in their push for comprehensive state reform; bringing the perpetrators of the 2024 massacre to justice during the interim government’s tenure; implementing a minimum five-year national reform process before holding any elections; conducting local elections prior to national elections without exception; removing corrupt and fascist allies from key administrative positions and replacing them with competent individuals and requiring all election candidates to possess at least a bachelor’s degree as minimum educational qualification.
Most striking about this movement is the unprecedented unity displayed across educational tiers. University students have joined forces with secondary school students and vocational trainees to present a united front for comprehensive state reform.
The group’s announcement represents one of the most significant student-led political mobilisations in recent Bangladeshi history, with potential to significantly impact country’s democratic trajectory in coming months.
