Finally, ending the speculation, a new party has emerged in Bangladeshi politics. The party was launched on February 28 at Manik Mia Avenue in the capital on the initiative of students and young leaders who led the student uprising. The party’s convener Nahid Islam read out the manifesto in the presence of representatives of various political parties, diplomats, and civil society at a gathering of millions of people. The declaration promised to implement the Second Republic.
What is the Second Republic?
The concept of the ‘Second Republic’ is strongly associated with the history of France. It is also intertwined with the history of several other countries, including Poland and Costa Rica. It is a political concept that has been used in different contexts in different countries. Overall, such a concept refers to the adoption of a new political arrangement or governance structure by changing the previous regime in a country. Changes that can come in many ways, including revolutions and coups.
As an example, the European country of France can be mentioned. It was once under a monarchy. The French Revolution lasted from 1789 to 1799. Through this, the monarchy fell. However, during the revolution, the First Republic was declared in France in 1792.
The First Republic lasted in France until 1804. Then the monarchy began again. This period lasted until 1848. That year, the Second Republic was declared in France. It lasted until 1852. Although it was a brief period, the ‘Second Republic’ is considered an important chapter in the history of France. After changing the regime in stages, the Fifth Republic is now underway in France.
‘Second Republic’ under discussion in Bangladesh too
Regarding the Second Republic, Dilara Chowdhury, a former professor of the Department of Government and Politics at Jahangirnagar University, told Cinebuzz Times, After the Liberation War, we got a republic. But since it proved ineffective against the aspirations of the people, a mass uprising took place. As a result, Bangladesh is at the cusp of radical change. For this, the state constitution will have to be abolished, and a new political settlement will have to be made. And that will be the Second Republic.
She further said, If the First Republic had functioned, then this demand would not have been relevant now. I think there should be a Second Republic, because the conflict between the new and the old is eternal. This is what Karl Marx told us.
In this regard, writer, and researcher Mohiuddin Ahmed told Cinebuzz Times, they could not clarify this claim. A republic was declared in 1971. There was no alternative to it at that time. And that is the basis of the Bangladesh state now. Moreover, the ’72 constitution has not yet been repealed.
He said that the crisis can be addressed by amending the constitution or adding to the basic principles. The legitimacy of all state decisions after August 5 must be given to the next elected government, which was done by Ziaur Rahman and Hussain Muhammad Ershad. Therefore, declaring a second republic is not the main issue.
However, Dilara Chowdhury disagreed with Mohiuddin Ahmed and said, “Theoretically, it is possible. But this constitution must be repealed, and a proclamation must be made by forming a revolutionary government. For this, consensus of political parties is needed. It is not possible to amend the constitution. Many want to cling to the ’72 constitution, even though it was undemocratic and a catalyst for the creation of fascism.
When asked about the Second Republic, Muhammad Badrul Hasan, associate professor of the Department of Political Science at Dhaka University, told Cinebuzz Times, in societies including France, where such changes have occurred, those changes have occurred in some specific context. A change has also occurred in Bangladesh. The National Citizens Party, which is talking about the Second Republic, certainly has a vision or thought. Time will tell what their goal or objective is in this case or what it will bring for the country.
In October-November last year, student representatives held talks with 30 political parties in the country on the formation of a second republic. In this, 26 parties, including the BNP, could not reach a consensus due to constitutional complications. However, four parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami, expressed principled support for the students’ demands.
Why are political parties not supporting students’ demands? Experts believe that they want to hold elections soon and return to the old system. If this happens, the significance of the ’24 coup will not survive politically.