Democracy —its Future in Bangladesh Composition

Democracy is a popular system of government worldwide. In Bangladesh, it is still developing and not fully established. It is at an early stage here, but it is crucial to implement it in all aspects of life.

The word "democracy" comes from Greek words, "Demos" meaning people and "Kratia" meaning rule or administration. In simple terms, democracy means the rule of the people. Abraham Lincoln described it as a government by the people, for the people, and of the people, emphasizing the importance of public opinion in democracy.

Democracy has some important features. It promotes equality, friendship, and liberty, aiming to treat everyone equally. It protects the basic rights of all individuals. People's votes are essential in a democratic system, as they can elect their leaders. Democracy ensures the rule of law, treating everyone equally under the law. It also values freedom of press and media.

In Bangladesh, parliamentary democracy started after gaining independence in 1971. The constitution of Bangladesh was passed in 1972, indicating the establishment of democracy. However, there have been numerous amendments, and at times, military dictatorship prevailed. After a significant uproar in 1990, Bangladesh returned to parliamentary democracy. But true democracy is still not fully established. The ruling party claims to be democratic, but their actions, like killing people and engaging in corruption, contradict this claim. The opposition parties also promise much but often fail to deliver, indulging in partisan behavior and corruption.

The political landscape in Bangladesh is mostly dominated by two major parties, Awami League and BNP. Other parties have little influence in rural areas. The future of democracy in Bangladesh relies on these two parties. However, their hostile relationship poses a threat to democracy. Political and religious terrorism is rampant, leading to loss of innocent lives. Law enforcement agencies like RAB and police sometimes violate human rights, misusing their power for personal gains. Corruption, bribery, terrorism, and other issues suffocate democracy in the country.

Despite some minor faults, democracy is the best form of government. The future of democracy in Bangladesh depends on the goodwill and consciousness of national leaders. Currently, democracy seems to be more talked about than applied in the country. We hope that in the future, democracy in Bangladesh will improve and become more effective.