Politics

Reforms vs elections? A false choice for an aspiring democracy

One cannot claim to be anti-Hasina while displaying the same defining characteristics as our former prime minister.

BOOK REVIEW: NONFICTION / Stitching fragments of a city lost in time

In the contested notion of creating a ‘nation,’ few ideas provoke as much ire among the everyday citizens of a bordered entity as the concept of a space—one that carries with it the weight of instilling an identity.

Will youth political engagement ever go beyond protesting?

Dhaka faces frequent protests, causing disruptions, but lacks discourse on root causes.

The generation that swipes right on revolutions

In 2024, Bangladesh’s youth, Millennials and Gen Z, are rewriting the political playbook.

Electoral reform commission: BNP places 17-point recommendation

The BNP has submitted a 17-point recommendation to the Electoral Reform Commission, including changes to party registration policies, electoral code of conduct, and transferring control of the National Identification (NID) server back to the EC.

Bangladesh’s credit system needs to change

The central bank must recognise that the existing CIB laws are outdated and ineffective.

#Perspective / When neither option feels right: Bangladeshi Americans and the 2024 US election dilemma

Bangladeshi Americans face a dilemma in the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election, torn between dissatisfaction with major parties over issues like Gaza, inflation, and healthcare. Many now consider third-party options, hoping to spotlight overlooked concerns.

Jack and the Beanstalk revisited

We laugh, but deep down, there is a hidden admiration and approval for such deception. Is there any connection between our folkloric fascination with trickery and our public endorsement of such behaviour by our leaders?

Matia Chowdhury: When personality surpasses politics

After the completion of one year in prison, she quoted from Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace: "Don't grieve dearie/trouble lasts an hour/but life lasts forever."

October 1, 2024
October 1, 2024

Political literacy needed now more than ever

The uprising demonstrated the strength of the people's unity, but it also brought attention to the political knowledge gaps and the necessity for political education to get more attention.

September 22, 2024
September 22, 2024

What voters are thinking after the July uprising

Innovision Consulting conducted a public opinion poll to assess who people will vote for if a general election were held now.

August 15, 2024
August 15, 2024

What are the political expectations of our youth?

For a country that hasn’t had a fair election in a while, the primary target of our youth is ensuring a fair election. However, before the next election comes into play, people have high hopes for the interim government.

August 3, 2024
August 3, 2024

When rule of (no) law reigns supreme

A narrative from both the government and some mass media outlets promotes a version of events that is far detached from the reality experienced

April 15, 2024
April 15, 2024

When Facebook blocks news, studies show the political risks that follow

Since Meta blocked links to news in Canada last August to avoid paying fees to media companies, right-wing meme producer Jeff Ballingall says he has seen a surge in clicks for his Canada Proud Facebook page

March 18, 2024
March 18, 2024

No one can push the country back to darkness: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said BNP and its allies want restoration of the caretaker government system not for the election, but to push the country back to darkness again

February 28, 2024
February 28, 2024

Kangana Ranaut says her ‘nationalist’ image has taken over her ‘glorious acting career’

Kangana Ranaut has always made headlines for her keen interest in joining politics. In an interview with TV9 Bharatvarsh, the “Queen” actress revealed that “right now” is the perfect time for her to join the political arena.

February 10, 2024
February 10, 2024

Sports, politics and the ugly by-product 

Ideally, sports and politics should never mix, but inevitably, sports and politics always mix.

January 5, 2024
January 5, 2024

10 political biographies to read during the general elections

While history has never been a one-man show, viewing it through the eyes of influential leaders can lend us a bigger picture.

December 31, 2023
December 31, 2023

'Don’t see anything coming to an end'

Bangladesh ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan is entering a new chapter in his life as he is contesting in the national polls from Magura-1. For Shakib, cricket will have to take a backseat for a while. Still new to his political career, he was not keen on some of the hard questions on both politics and cricket. However, during an interview with Abdullah Al Mehdi of The Daily Star, Shakib did say things that somewhat contradicted his original stance about not featuring in the next ODI World Cup and the national team captaincy issue, which gained steam as of late with many suggesting a change in leadership, especially since Najmul Hossain Shanto did bring promising results in his short stint as an an interim skipper.