Prof Dr M Shah Nawaz Ali, Member, Bangladesh University Grants Commission (UGC) : Democracy, justice, equity, humane state or society are our demands. Nobody never agreed to fulfil our demands so easily. Rather, we were always deprived from our legitimate demands. Every ruler in history treated people unfairly.
Once we were under British subjugation and we were rendered paupers.
They did everything with us as we were not conscious.
It is not untrue  that the Bangalese once lagged behind in terms of education but we were never behind in terms of merit. In fact, none wanted to give us opportunity. The sigh of relief with the departure of the British soon turned into despair. Bangalese aspired for living with the Pakistanis imbued with the spirit of fraternity. But like the British, the Pakistani rulers did not give us relief.
With belief in progress, justice and humanity, the Bangalese in no way could get rid of unwanted deprivation. The Bangalese do not want to pick a quarrel with anybody. Discord is pointless where peace is always expected. We were left with no other option nut to resist when the Pakistanis pushed us to the limit. They finally gave in on the face of the resistance put up by the Bangalese. Even though win came by, we became victims of myriad deprivations. We also lost our hero of liberation. The mmiscreants assassinated the Father of the Nation along with his entire family members to pull us back. They thought that they could hold us back, they succeeded to some extent to that end. Military rulers and their cohorts ruled us for two long era after 1975 and the result is predefined. Democracy, development, non-communal and humane state remained elusive. The scenario changed and the situation began to change soon after Sheikh Hasina was voted to power. Sheikh Hasina held office as Prime Minister in two terms, 1996-2001 and 2009-2019. How much she ccould live upto the expectations of development, democracy, humane and non-communal state?
According to the political scientists, development and democracy researchers, the country fared well whenever Sheikh Hasina was in power. Bangladesh went through a radical change during her regime. Bangladesh is now a wonder for development. Per capita income is now 1700$, average life expectancy is 72, woman and child mortality rate is downward. Bangladesh now commands respect all over the world stamping out terrorism-militancy and achieving industrial and infrastructural development. Wherever Sheikh Hasina tried her hands, positive results yiel. Will it be an exaggeration to say that golden Bengal is within our reach?
11lakh displaced Rohingyas have taken shelter inthe country. Has any leader of the world ever dared to provide shelter and food without any question? Angella Markel allowed some refugees to enter into Germany, some countries of European Union let in some refugees but most of the developed countries shut their doors. Sheikh Hasina is unique in this respect as she sheltered scores of Rohingyas without uttering a word. Thid has ben possible as she is the leader of the masses. Is democracy now universal? Can all enjoy the democratic rights? Particularly why BNP did not get permission to hold rallies? Now if I ask how much democratic is BNP itself? It is the same political party which jeopardised the ccountry’s existence by forging alliance with the anti-liberation forces like Jamat. It is BNP which wishes to grab state power through backdoors. One has to struggle for any legitimate demand. Nobody ever succeeded in quelling the legitimate demands. Does BNP had the morale? If so, there position will be different today. BNP failed to build up the trust among the people. Therefore, BNP is now in the back row. Against all odds and conspiracy, Sheikh Hasina is working for the development of the country. She is moving forward at a breakneck speed. None can stop Bangladesh as long as the tireless journey of Sheikh Hasina continues.