Imran Chowdhury BME

As Bangladesh races towards progress, it risks erasing the very legacy of struggle and sacrifice that shaped its birth.

In the annals of history, Bangladesh stands as a unique nation, forged in the fire of struggle and liberation. Born out of bloodshed, war, and the sacrifice of countless lives, it was a country that once embodied the epitome of resilience and determination. Yet, in recent years, Bangladesh finds itself embroiled in a struggle that is far more existential—one that pits its quest for modernization against the erasure of its history. The country’s political landscape is like a turbulent wild horse, ridden by those seeking to shape its future, but with little regard for the path laid down by the sacrifices of its past.

The Quest to Reinvent Itself

Since gaining independence in 1971, Bangladesh has striven to chart its own course, often feeling the need to reinvent itself under successive regimes. Each political administration has introduced new development agendas, new national narratives, and fresh promises for change. While such aspirations are necessary for any young nation, what is concerning is the tendency to dismiss, rebrand, or outright disown the achievements and values that came before.

The ruling elites seem locked in a cycle of trying to reinvent the wheel of national progress—discarding long-term projects initiated by previous administrations, changing policy directions overnight, and engaging in symbolic acts of restructuring that often amount to little more than rhetoric. Amid this political one-upmanship, the nation’s identity seems to be slipping into a chasm of confusion. Where once the national narrative was rooted in unity and struggle, it now appears fragmented, torn between competing visions that rewrite history to suit contemporary ambitions.

Selective Memory and the Erasure of Struggle

The erasure of history is not a mere academic exercise—it has real and lasting consequences for a nation’s identity. Bangladesh’s story is one of unparalleled struggle, beginning with the language movement of 1952, which sought to establish Bangla as a national language, and culminating in the bloody war of 1971. The victory that gave birth to an independent Bangladesh was hard-earned, at the cost of countless lives and unspeakable suffering.

Yet, recent shifts in governance suggest a disconcerting trend towards selective memory. There is a palpable attempt to de-emphasize these painful yet empowering chapters, to overwrite the narratives of sacrifice with a sanitized, one-dimensional portrayal of the nation’s history. The younger generation, which has been taught to celebrate independence, may not fully grasp the gravity of the struggles that led to it. They see monuments and hear slogans, but are they understanding the stories of bravery, the ocean of blood, and the weight of sacrifices behind these symbols?

In the race to modernize and compete on the global stage, Bangladesh risks losing the richness of its identity—a risk that could lead to a fractured understanding of what it means to be Bangladeshi. A nation that fails to acknowledge its struggles is in danger of losing its moral compass and forgetting why it fought so hard to exist in the first place.

The Melodrama of Change: A Never-Ending Cycle

The country’s political theatre is no stranger to dramatic changes of guard. Each new regime that comes into power brings with it sweeping changes—both symbolic and legislative. Policies are rewritten, state institutions are restructured, and national narratives are tweaked, often to erase the imprints of the previous leadership. This melodrama of change has been a persistent theme since independence, leading to a cycle of political upheaval that disrupts long-term stability and fosters a culture of uncertainty.

The irony lies in the fact that each successive leadership claims to be a custodian of the people’s aspirations while simultaneously erasing traces of the historical journey that shaped those very aspirations. From the assassinations of political figures to military coups and civilian protests, the saga of power in Bangladesh has been tumultuous. This upheaval has often felt less like a democratic transition and more like an unending series of crises, where each leader seeks to establish a new beginning—as if the country’s true story began only with their ascent to power.

Riding the Wild Horse: The Pitfalls of Disjointed Progress

The analogy of a wild horse aptly captures the current state of the nation’s journey. Bangladesh is like a rider struggling to control a fierce, unpredictable beast—constantly jolted from one direction to another, with each shift in power representing a new attempt to tame the animal. Every new administration tries to portray itself as the stable hand that will finally steer the nation towards sustainable progress, yet the reality is far more chaotic.

Economic development projects are initiated with grand fanfare, only to be shelved or radically altered by subsequent governments. National policies, ranging from healthcare and education to infrastructure and social welfare, fluctuate in a pendulum-like motion. Amidst all these changes, the core issues remain unresolved—economic inequality, rural poverty, and political disenfranchisement continue to plague large sections of the population.

Meanwhile, the rhetoric of progress and modernization glosses over the real challenges. In this scramble to portray a shining image to the world, the essence of what it means to be Bangladeshi is being diluted. The national dialogue is dominated by glossy portrayals of skyscrapers and GDP growth, but the deeper conversation—about the values that define the nation and the sacrifices that built it—seems conspicuously absent.

The Dangers of Erasing History

For a nation like Bangladesh, with its painful yet proud legacy, erasing history is akin to erasing its soul. The leadership, in its attempt to control the narrative, risks fostering a generation that knows little of its past, its struggles, and the values that gave rise to its freedom. As historical landmarks are neglected, as textbooks are rewritten, and as public discourses shift towards a selective portrayal of history, there is a looming danger that the stories of 1971 will become mere footnotes in the nation’s memory.

The tales of those who fought and died for the country’s independence, the voices of those who led the student movements, and the testimonies of those who faced persecution for daring to speak their language are all part of a rich, complex history that needs to be remembered, celebrated, and understood. Forgetting these stories does not merely dishonor the sacrifices made; it also undermines the very foundations upon which the nation was built.

Towards a Balanced Narrative

There is, however, a glimmer of hope. Civil society, academia, and the youth of Bangladesh have started pushing back against this trend of historical amnesia. Social media movements, cultural festivals, and community dialogues are being used to revive interest in the country’s past and reclaim its narrative. The challenge for Bangladesh moving forward is to embrace change without losing sight of its roots—to progress not by riding a wild horse aimlessly, but by understanding where it has come from and where it truly wants to go.

The nation’s future leaders must learn to honor the struggle and sacrifice that define Bangladesh’s identity while steering it towards sustainable growth and development. Only by striking this delicate balance can Bangladesh ensure that it remains a country that remembers its past, celebrates its present, and confidently embraces its future.