Let’s begin with the story of a helpless businessman. The gentleman is 73 years old and has been involved in business for 50 years. He used to run a large garment factory in Narayanganj. However, the COVID-19 pandemic caused him a loss of approximately Tk35 crore. This triggered a series of financial crises. First, disputes arose among the company’s directors. Then, banks, insurance companies, buyers, creditors, and debtors all exerted pressure on him, which became unbearable for his mind and body. Eventually, he suffered a stroke. After receiving treatment both at home and abroad, he attempted to regain control of his business. But due to the fear of being imprisoned along with his son if he failed to settle his bank liabilities, he mortgaged all his assets to the bank. Over the next two years, while running between the central bank and his own bank, he suffered another stroke.

In 2023, corrupt officials at the central bank took bribes and gave him false assurances. Trusting them, he mortgaged his last remaining assets. However, the political shift in 2024 overturned all previous arrangements. The new authorities had different policies, and while trying to negotiate with them, he suffered yet another stroke. After a slight recovery, he came to me seeking insights into the country's political situation.

Looking at his face, I felt like crying. His stroke had left his face partially paralyzed. His wife had passed away long ago. His elder son lived abroad, while his younger son and daughter-in-law resided in their house in Uttara, which was now mortgaged to the bank. His 28-year-old younger son was yet to understand business affairs. However, if the businessman were to pass away, the young man would be held liable as a company director and could be jailed. This thought made the old man sick again, yet he continued running between banks for six months, desperately seeking a solution. It baffled me why, amid all this, he suddenly became interested in political news.

Sensing my confusion, he explained that his fate now depended on politics. After the fall of the Awami League government, everyone was initially proactive. But since November 2024, banks, insurance companies, government offices, and courts have ceased functioning properly. New complications arise every time a decision needs to be made. He pointed out that his banking crisis might have been resolved by July 2024. When he resumed spending after the August revolution, people assumed the current government would last two to three years. However, by 2025, the country’s political landscape had completely shifted, and widespread stagnation was leading to national catastrophe.

His words jolted me into reality. The uncertainty in business and politics had left me feeling insecure, directionless, and insignificant—something I had never experienced before. Over the past few months, I have met leading industrialists, top politicians, intellectuals, and ordinary citizens, all asking the same questions: What will happen next? What is going on? How will we survive? What should we do? What will become of us?

A few days ago, I attended a private meeting with several senior BNP leaders. A prominent business leader, who is also a politician, suddenly asked, “Rony Bhai, tell us, what will happen to us?” Jokingly, I replied, “You will face another round of persecution and flee again.” My response drained the color from his face. Another senior leader interjected, “Mark my words, elections will take place in 2025—they must!” I countered, “What if no election happens in 2025?” His confidence evaporated. He admitted that if elections were not held in 2025, predicting when they would take place was impossible.

During our discussion, another senior leader sighed, “I can’t take it anymore. Nothing feels right. I’m losing my mental strength.” Similar anxiety grips leaders from other parties, including government advisors. I haven’t seen a single advisor looking relaxed, confident, or at ease. The fear, panic, and helplessness among ordinary citizens have multiplied, creating continuous tremors within power circles. People have become obsessed with social media—worrying about every Facebook post and YouTube video. Some have lost weight due to stress, while others are constantly shifting political allegiances. Thousands of rumors flood the air daily, burying the truth.

The harsh reality of today is that we have all missed the train of politics. Worse still, we don’t know if this political train is even on the tracks or derailed into fields, rivers, and canals. We don’t know who the driver is, nor whether the driver can operate the train at all. Society has become so disoriented that people no longer recognize each other. We never imagined that time could change people so drastically. Once self-proclaimed heroes now tremble like cowards, while former weaklings roar like lions or rampage like wild boars, turning society into an African jungle.

Verbal terrorism has become unbearable. Anyone with a tongue is trying to speak, and in doing so, many are roaring like hippopotamuses to intimidate their opponents. Children are lecturing elders on life, politics, and economics, while the elderly, terrified of the young, are making foolish mistakes. Chaos reigns everywhere. Criminals attack police stations, forcing officers to flee. Students dominate their teachers, beggars kick donors’ cars when denied alms, and parents tremble in fear of their children.

Given these circumstances, one can see how deeply politics has fallen into the trap of the Radachakra. To understand this, recall childhood memories of village fairs. When a child insists on riding the Radachakra, their initial excitement quickly turns into fear and screaming. Though it may be distressing for the rider, the spectators find immense amusement. Just as riders cannot stop and get off mid-ride, the spectators never stop laughing out of sympathy. Similarly, Bangladesh’s politics has become a Radachakra—causing pain for some while entertaining others.

We have reached the final stage of today’s discussion. The current political scenario is complicating our national identity, independence, sovereignty, social and familial relationships, and individual integrity. It is pushing the entire country toward inevitable destruction. When and how we will return to a positive trajectory is something only the Almighty Allah knows.

Author: Former Member of Parliament and Political Analyst