Published: 16 March, 2026.
We were promised a “Second Independence.” After the seismic shifts of the 2024 uprising, the air in Dhaka felt different—lighter, filled with the scent of reform. But fast forward to late February 2026, and that scent is starting to smell suspiciously like the early 2000s.
As Tarique Rahman takes the reins as Prime Minister, the big question isn’t just about his 180-day reform plan. It’s about whether a man with one of the most controversial political resumes in South Asia can actually lead a democracy, or if he’s just dusting off the old Hawa Bhaban playbook.
The Data Doesn’t Lie (Even if the Media Does)
While mainstream TV channels are busy broadcasting glowing montages of the “People’s Leader,” the reality on the ground is grim. Since the February 12th elections, the human rights group Odhikar has already documented 104 incidents of violence, resulting in 10 deaths.
This isn’t just “post-election excitement.” This is a systemic breakdown. From Bogra to Feni, reports are flooding in of political cadres—emboldened by the BNP’s landslide—seizing control of transport hubs and local markets. It’s the same old “Power Practice,” just with a different party badge.
The Ghost of Hawa Bhaban
For those with a memory longer than a TikTok scroll, the name Tarique Rahman brings back images of “Khamba” (electric pole) scams and a parallel government that ran on kickbacks.
The concern now is that the “Prince of Corruption” hasn’t changed; he’s just had a makeover. While he talks about the July National Charter and judicial independence, his party nominated 23 loan defaulters for the recent election.
- The Logic? You can’t claim to be cleaning the house while bringing the mud in with you.
- The Reality? Over 80 criminal cases against him were “scrubbed” clean almost overnight after the 2024 uprising. Is that justice, or just a very effective legal eraser?
The Great Media Blackout
Perhaps the most frustrating part of the “New Bangladesh” is the Mainstream Media. The same anchors who were terrified of the previous regime are now falling over themselves to praise the new one.
Why aren’t we talking about the 1,333 looted firearms still missing from the 2024 chaos? Why is the news silent on the skyrocketing price of onions and eggs while giving four-hour live coverage to a ribbon-cutting ceremony? By choosing to ignore the “mob justice” happening in our streets, the media isn’t just failing us—they are complicit in building a new cult of personality.
The Bottom Line
Bangladesh didn’t bleed in 2024 to swap an “Iron Lady” for a “Controversial Prince.” If the government continues to fail at establishing basic law and order—and if the PM’s followers continue to treat the country like their personal fiefdom—the “Second Independence” will be remembered as a very short-lived dream.
We wanted a system change, not just a seat change. History is watching, and this time, the people won’t wait another 15 years to ask for their country back.