A cautionary tale of political transformation in Bangladesh

I bought a palm leaf flute from a fair. But it no longer plays like it used to. Something feels off within me. Have we truly left behind the ideals of our youth, the ideological childhood of our nation, far behind?

I recall the nostalgic fields of Nakshi Kantha, the warm afternoon sun, and the flute’s melody drifting in the breeze—all forming a national identity, a childhood filled with dreams. The colourful fantasies of adolescence, the stories of struggle, and the spirit of honesty no longer seem to linger in my mind.

Suddenly, I realise how far we have come. But along the way, we have left behind ideals, struggles, and songs of self-sacrifice. In today’s politics of comfort, the melody of that flute is long gone, replaced by an uncomfortable silence that spreads all around.

Beyond the constitutionally recognised political parties, there exists an invisible yet influential force in society: the “Comfort Party.” Members of this group do nothing, say nothing, yet expect others to do everything. They wish others to work, to sacrifice, to struggle—while they simply enjoy the fruits.

They possess wealth, power, and influence. Yet, during the times of crisis, they remain invisible. They were absent in the struggle for freedom, silent during anti-corruption protests, and aloof in democratic movements. However, when it’s time for indulgence, they are the first to act.

The Shapla, or water lily, is Bangladesh’s national flower. It floats on the water, its beauty shining only when on the surface. But once removed from the water, its charm fades.

The Comfort Party is much like the Shapla: it prefers to float on top, staying away from the depths. It’s accustomed to existing in a state of irresponsibility, much like butter floating on milk. But what they fail to realise is that butter eventually melts or transforms into ghee.

Bangladesh’s politics can be seen as a chemical process. Milk symbolises the idealistic dreams, butter represents the self-serving comfort, and ghee symbolises the final transformation of sacrifice and outcome.

Our politics has stalled at butter, never quite reaching the final stage of ghee. The heat, responsibility, and sacrifice required for this transformation are sorely lacking.

Before every election, each party promises to eliminate corruption and bring good governance. Yet, over time, all of these remain as mere words. In reality, nothing changes.

Nandalal once asked, “If I don’t do it, who will?” Today, there is no one asking this question. Members of the Comfort Party believe someone else will do it. They only think of their own comfort. This mentality has left our nation without leadership.

To lead the country towards true transformation, we must go through each phase of the milk-butter-ghee process properly. What is needed are people who will lead, who will fight, take risks, and work for the nation, sacrificing their own interests. If today’s politics remains centred only around comfort, Bangladesh will become a self-forgetting, lost nation in the future. If we do not awaken now, if we do not return to a genuine, struggling political consciousness, our politics will remain forever silent, much like that palm leaf flute.

Even in the deepest darkness, morning comes, the dew sparkles, bringing a hopeful message of a new day. We may be lost on the complex political path, but the strength to break barriers go beyond limits and move forward still lies within us.

Forget the boundaries and limitations. Let the heart soar to a new freedom, where the walls of despair break down in the flood of light. Old fatigue will fade, and a new day will begin.

Let the old fatigue go, let the clouds of despair fade away. The people of this country will one day see their hopes fulfilled. A new dawn will surely come, where true leadership will emerge, where justice, development, and the dream of a new Bangladesh will be realised.

Rahman Mridha is a researcher, writer and former director of Pfizer in Sweden. He can be reached at [email protected].

Views expressed in this article are the author’s own. 

Follow The Daily Star Opinion on Facebook for the latest opinions, commentaries and analyses by experts and professionals. To contribute your article or letter to The Daily Star Opinion, see our guidelines for submission.