Vulnerabilities from the times of democratic deficit still persist: Debapriya

The vulnerabilities that existed during times of democratic deficit have not been eliminated, as marginalised communities continue to face systemic challenges, said Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya.

Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya, convener of the Citizen's Platform for SDGs, Bangladesh, has criticised the lack of proper representation of marginalised communities in the interim government's reform initiatives.

"If reforms take place but do not improve the conditions of disadvantaged people, what purpose do these reforms serve for the public?" he asked.

Debapriya made the remarks during a dialogue, titled "National SDG Report (VNR) 2025: Inclusion of Expectations of Marginalised Communities", organised by the Citizen's Platform for SDGs in Dhaka today (19 March).

The event was jointly organised by the Citizen's Platform for SDGs, the Principal Coordinator's Office for SDGs at the Chief Adviser's Office, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre at Agargaon.

"Lately, some individuals have assumed the role of moral guardians. Though they are few in number, their influence is significant," said Debapriya.

He expressed concern over the lack of discussion on ensuring the voting rights of marginalised communities ahead of the upcoming elections. 

"Political parties have begun drafting their election manifestos. If there are no specific commitments for marginalised communities in education, healthcare, and the economy, they will not accept these manifestos," he added.  

The eminent economist, who headed the white paper committee on Bangladesh's economy after the interim government took over in August last year, emphasised that a change in government does not necessarily bring a change in governance, as evident in the current situation. 

"There is still a significant gap between what the government says and the reality on the ground. The vulnerabilities that existed during times of democratic deficit have not been eliminated. Women, children, and persons with disabilities continue to face hardships," he said, adding that structural inequalities remain unresolved despite a change in government.  

"We all say this change is against inequality. But are all forms of inequality being addressed? Are we discussing gender inequality, the discrimination and protection of ethnic minorities, or women's rights? The answer is no," he asserted.  

Debapriya also stressed the importance of presenting accurate data rather than misleading narratives of development. 

"While Bangladesh has made overall progress, disparities persist. Not everyone has benefited equally. Access to development has depended on one's social standing and background," he noted.  

He pointed out that although the country's average life expectancy has increased, this improvement has not extended to disadvantaged communities. 

"School enrolment has reached 100%, but not all poor children attend school. Without accurate data, effective policymaking for all remains impossible," he said.  

Lamia Morshed, chief coordinator for SDGs at the Chief Adviser's Office, acknowledged that development had not extended beyond Dhaka for a long time and that real data had not been presented. 

"Communities vulnerable to climate change, children, persons with disabilities, ethnic minority people, Dalits, and women face various challenges. Addressing these requires significant efforts.

"The government is collecting real data to formulate policies, and the upcoming National SDG Report (VNR) will reflect these realities," she said.  

The event was also attended by Swiss Ambassador to Bangladesh Reto Renggli, UNDP Bangladesh Resident Representative Stefan Liller, and Huma Khan, Senior Human Rights Adviser at the UN Resident Coordinator's Office in Dhaka, among others.