National unity forms the foundation of a country’s stability, social harmony, and economic growth. History shows that the more united a nation is, the greater its potential.

The Liberation War of 1971 stands as a shining example—when the nation stood united politically, socially, and militarily, it achieved independence.

However, after independence, power struggles, self-interest, and mistrust among political parties undermined national stability and cohesion.

Since 1975, political parties have used the constitution and state institutions as weapons for political gain.

Even after the people’s movement in 1990, the parties failed to unite in the national interest, laying the groundwork for long-term crises.

In the past 15 years, a fascist regime consolidated control over the constitution, laws, and administration.

Bias infiltrated the judiciary, the media, and the Election Commission, while law enforcement agencies such as the RAB and DGFI were used to suppress dissent.

Enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and torture became common. These actions eroded institutional independence, social values, and political culture. State institutions lost accountability and transparency under political pressure.

This prolonged authoritarian rule has devastated education, the economy, and society. Political influence in education has compromised transparency in curricula and recruitment.

Economic uncertainty has discouraged both domestic and foreign investment, leading to rising unemployment, poverty, and social unrest. These trends now threaten national security, social peace, and sovereignty.

To address the crisis, the government and political parties formed several reform committees and consensus commissions to restructure the constitution, laws, and administrative systems.

These bodies analysed the impact of arbitrary legal and constitutional amendments, made recommendations, and sought consensus among political parties.

One major outcome was the July Charter, a political consensus document outlining clear provisions for constitutional and administrative reform.

However, the BNP expressed notes of dissent on certain clauses, showing that achieving true political unity remains a challenge.

A referendum has been proposed to implement the July Charter and guide national reconstruction. Without it, the country’s political future will remain uncertain.

If political parties fail to unite, the charter’s provisions will not be implemented, constitutional reform will collapse, and state institutions will continue to weaken.

The July Revolution proved that when political parties and the people unite, major transformations are possible.

The country’s future now depends on the unity of political forces, effective enforcement of the constitution and laws, and active public participation.

Disunity could bring political, social, and economic catastrophe. The nation must remain vigilant—putting national interest above all divisions.

Only through such unity can Bangladesh advance as a stable, prosperous, and powerful state, ensuring peace, prosperity, and security for future generations.

The impact of national disunity reaches deeply into the country’s social and economic fabric. When political parties fail to unite beyond their narrow interests, the administration becomes ineffective, the judiciary loses impartiality, and law enforcement loses transparency.

As a result, key institutions weaken, power becomes centralised and biased, public trust declines, and social instability and division rise.

Political uncertainty deters both domestic and foreign investors, delaying or halting long-term projects. This fuels unemployment, poverty, and social unrest.

Without national unity and political compromise, Bangladesh faces potential disaster. The only path to safeguard stability, the constitutional order, and sovereignty lies in political unity.

Both citizens and political parties must set aside self-interest and prioritise national welfare. The greatest risk of disunity is the threat to national sovereignty.

Political fragmentation and administrative bias open doors for foreign dominance—particularly from neighbouring powers like India—seeking to exploit instability for influence.

If the July Revolution fails to gain legal recognition, the government and its leadership established through it will face grave uncertainty.

No government can endure without legal legitimacy, which underpins administration, judiciary, international recognition, and financial operations.

In its absence, revolutionary actions could be labelled as “illegal seizure” or “unconstitutional power grab,” inviting future legal or international challenges. Bureaucratic paralysis could emerge as officials, agencies, and foreign missions hesitate to work with a government lacking legitimacy.

Similarly, if the interim government does not secure legal validity, political uncertainty, administrative paralysis, and economic crisis could follow.

Foreign investment, international aid, and trade ties would suffer, as global actors only engage with recognised governments.

This would heighten domestic unrest, deepen social divisions, and fuel new conflicts. Thus, to sustain the revolution’s achievements, a firm legal foundation is essential—otherwise, its outcomes will lose meaning over time.

The most contentious issue now concerns the BNP and its allies, who insist on holding both the national election and the referendum under the existing system and on the same day.

If the BNP holds firm, political deadlock could intensify. Coordination failures among the Election Commission, administration, and other political actors could disrupt polling, casting doubt on the election’s transparency and credibility.

Even if voting takes place, disputes and violence over results could erupt, turning the referendum from a reflection of public opinion into a partisan contest.

Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami and other Islamist parties demand that the referendum—meant to legitimise the July Charter—be held before the national election and that proportional representation be adopted.

If they maintain this stance, political processes could stall further. Uncertainty over the election timeline could hamper administrative readiness and erode public confidence. Should both blocs remain rigid, Bangladesh risks plunging into a polarised political crisis.

The administrative system could collapse, investment and economic activities could stall, and the international community might express concern over Bangladesh’s stability.

At this critical juncture, as political parties prioritise their own agendas over national interest, the country risks total paralysis. Governance could grind to a halt, the economy could collapse, and citizens could lose hope.

Disruptions to production and supply chains could trigger food and energy shortages, social unrest, and looting—possibly even famine. Such chaos could open the door for fascism’s return, while sovereignty itself could come under threat.

To avert this danger, an immediate national dialogue is essential—bringing together all political forces, civil society, the Election Commission, and, if necessary, international observers.

Through dialogue, consensus could be built on the timing, process, and supervision of the referendum and election. Political parties must also foster tolerance, mutual respect, and a spirit of unity—recognising that state stability is far more important than partisan victory.

If necessary, forming a national unity government could help restore democracy, the rule of law, and economic confidence—paving the way for a stable, strong, and prosperous Bangladesh.

Writer: Economist and researcher

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