'It's our turn to loot' mentality emerging at grassroots: Selima Rahman

BNP Standing Committee member Selima Rahman has expressed concern over incidents of violence and land grabbing at the grassroots level since 5 August, saying a mentality of "it's our turn to loot" has emerged among many grassroots leaders and activists who have remained out of power for a long time.

She made the remarks today (15 January) at a roundtable discussion titled "Peaceful elections and building a democratic future", organised by the Bangladesh Enterprise Institute (BEI) at a hotel in the capital's Gulshan area.

Selima Rahman said that if the Election Commission performs its duties properly and law enforcement agencies remain neutral, the risk of large-scale violence surrounding the election can be prevented.

Referring to the absence of participatory elections over the past 17–18 years, she said many people have lost their practical understanding of what an election is. A large section of the younger generation, she added, has never had the opportunity to cast a vote.

Despite concerns over violence, she stressed that elections are indispensable, noting that the country is now in need of a fair and accountable government. She said there is no alternative to an elected government to carry out state structure reforms, implement the July Charter, and enforce other necessary reforms.

Highlighting the role of young people in the mass uprising, Selima Rahman also pointed to the new challenges that have emerged following the fall of the government. According to her, the moral degradation that has taken place at the grassroots level over the past 17 years cannot be corrected overnight.

She said that while political parties speak about issues such as women's safety, the future of youth, education, and healthcare, the reality on the ground remains worrying. The country, she added, has been severely affected by drugs and other social problems.

Describing women's active participation in the July movement as encouraging, the senior BNP leader questioned why women have not been able to remain at the forefront in the long term. She also remarked that a lack of clarity on this issue persists even among the educated segments of society.

Selima Rahman concluded by saying that through elections, if an accountable government is formed, efforts will be made to transform society through national unity involving opposition parties and all political forces. "This change cannot happen overnight; it may take several years, but we must move forward on that path," she said.