By Lt.Colonel (Rtd.) Shams Rahman
To maintain the continuity of a revolution and preserve its achievements, long-term planning and robust structures are essential. Reviewing the history of various revolutions worldwide reveals that some revolutions fade over time, while others become enduring and bring about lasting societal change. Analyzing revolutions in countries like Bangladesh, Iran, and South Africa reveals significant differences in their outcomes. This proposal aims to offer recommendations for safeguarding the future of our student-led anti-discrimination revolution by learning from the examples and experiences of these revolutions.
1. Establishing a Revolutionary Structure: The Example of Iran
After the Islamic Revolution of 1979 in Iran, Imam Khomeini established a Revolutionary Council to safeguard the goals of the revolution. This council’s primary role was to oversee all governmental activities and ensure that there was no deviation from the ideals of the revolution.
In Iran, by forming a revolutionary structure, the judicial system, administration, and security forces were reorganized. Individuals associated with corruption and crimes during the Shah’s regime were punished, and new leadership guided Iran’s policy-making. As a result, Iran has managed to maintain its position as a strong state globally, despite facing numerous sanctions.
If we establish a Revolutionary Council similar to Iran’s, led by student leaders with guidance from knowledgeable and civil individuals such as Professor Asif Nazrul, Professor Golam Rabbani, and Pinaki Bhattacharya, it would be possible to properly supervise government actions. This council would work to protect the fundamental goals of the revolution and restructure the country’s administrative framework based on principles of justice and democracy.
2. Accountability for Past Crimes: Learning from Bangladesh’s Experience
Following Bangladesh’s Liberation War, although the country gained independence under the leadership of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the true goals of independence were not fully realized. Specifically, due to the failure to bring criminals from the Pakistani era to justice, justice was not established in society, leading to problems related to the concentration of power.
In 1975, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s government introduced a one-party system, which moved the country toward a form of authoritarianism. Many Army officers and individuals opposed to Bangladesh became involved with the new government and re-entered the administration. Such steps caused a deviation from the fundamental spirit of independence.
In the case of our current student-led anti-discrimination revolution, if we can bring the past government’s criminals to justice, we will be able to establish justice and build proper values in society. This will help maintain zero tolerance for corruption and injustice in the future.
3. A Disciplined Organization Instead of a Political Party: Insights from South Africa
After the anti-apartheid revolution in South Africa, Nelson Mandela worked towards building a multiracial society. However, due to corruption and administrative failures within the ruling party, the achievements of the revolution gradually diminished over time.
The African National Congress (ANC) in South Africa was initially a liberation movement but gradually became corrupt and divided after assuming power. The concentration of power and the funds required to run a political party led the party away from the core objectives of the revolution.
We can maintain the student-led anti-discrimination movement as an organized force without forming a political party. Running a political party requires money, and it is challenging to ensure that the source of this money is always ethically sound. This can lead to the unethical use of funds and the misuse of power, which could destroy the core spirit of the revolution. Therefore, a disciplined organization should be established to maintain unity among students and work towards achieving the revolution’s goals.
Conclusion
A revolution is not merely a change in government but a process of bringing about a lasting transformation in the fundamental structure and mindset of society. To sustain a revolution, proper planning, strong leadership, and a sound structure are required. Learning from the Islamic Revolution in Iran, heeding the lessons of failure from Bangladesh’s Liberation War, and protecting against the corruption of political parties in South Africa, we must strive to sustain our current student-led anti-discrimination revolution.
If we adopt these proposals, our revolution will endure, and we will be able to establish true justice, equality, and the essence of freedom in our society.
