Professor Kazi Mohammad Mahbobor Rahman of Dhaka University’s Political Science Department stated that state reform must be approached from a political science perspective.
Speaking at a press briefing on Monday at Dhaka University Journalist's Association (DUJA), he announced the upcoming Political Science Conference on “Mass Uprising and State Reform for Post-Uprising Democracy” on 22 June, jointly organized by Shadow Reform Commissions and Political and Policy Science Research Foundation.
Professor Mahbob criticized the government’s reform initiatives, saying they lack input from political science scholars. “This is why crucial reform elements are often overlooked,” he said.
As convener, he added that four preparatory workshops have already been held, with participation from around 50 universities and submissions received internationally. “Our commissions are highly inclusive; some are even led by minorities. We've incorporated voices from rickshaw pullers to academics,” he noted.
Addressing concerns about religious tensions regarding proposed reforms, he assured, “We will first structure the proposals, then seek feedback from both Islamic scholars and women's rights leaders.”
Since August 2024, 11 Shadow Reform Commissions have worked on key reform issues. Their final reports will be presented at the conference. A national conference committee has been formed, including university professors and researchers.
Prof. Mahbob said the commissions’ reports are already reviewed by experts and are now in stakeholder consultation phase. “This initiative brings together both national and international scholars to advance reform discourse in Bangladesh,” he concluded.
Professor Dr. Nasima Khatun, Chairperson of DU’s Political Science Department, called the initiative a major milestone for the department.
Prof. Dr. Farid Uddin Ahmed from DU's political science department emphasized the academic integrity of the commissions, contrasting them with government-led ones.
Jagannath University’s Prof. Mezbah-ul-Azam Sawdagar noted that despite widespread talk of reform, political science departments have remained sidelined; this conference aims to change that.
Committee members includes Prof. Dr. Dil Rowshan Zinnat Ara Nazneen (Bangladesh Open University), Prof. Dr. Nasima Khatun (DU), Prof. Dr. Farid Uddin Ahmed (DU), Prof. Dr. S. M. Ali Reza (DU), Prof. A.K.M. Matinur Rahman (Islamic University), Prof. Dr. Shafiqul Islam (Kishoreganj University), Prof. Dr. Md. Nazrul Islam (SUST), Prof. Mezbah-ul-Azam Sawdagar (Jagannath University), Assoc. Prof. Mehedi Hasan Sohag (Barishal University), Assoc. Prof. Kazi Mohammad Rezwan Hossain (Begum Rokeya University) and Asst. Prof. Sadia Afrin (Gopalganj University of Science and Technology).
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