In yet another display of authoritarian overreach, the government of Bangladesh has once again used force to silence opposition voices. The detention of 44 BNP leaders and activists following a clash with police at Naya Paltan is a troubling reminder of how dissent is being crushed under the guise of maintaining order.
The BNP’s rally, intended to protest communal violence, was met with undue aggression. Despite the government’s claims of a lack of permission, the response was disproportionate. Tear gas, rubber bullets, and baton charges are not tools of democratic governance—they are symbols of an administration intolerant of dissent.
This is not an isolated incident but part of a broader trend. The ruling regime has repeatedly stifled opposition voices, shrinking the democratic space necessary for political discourse. Detaining activists, disrupting peaceful assemblies, and wielding state machinery to suppress political rivals undermines the foundations of democracy.
A government confident in its legitimacy should welcome peaceful protests, not quash them with brute force. It’s high time the ruling authorities respect democratic principles and ensure that political opposition can operate without fear of retaliation. Intimidation tactics may silence voices temporarily, but they also erode public trust and further polarize the nation. Bangladesh deserves better.
