Bangladesh is a democratic country. The Constitution of this country recognises citizens’ right to express opinions peacefully. This right is a powerful tool for safeguarding public interests. Unfortunately, the term “movement” seems to be losing its true meaning and importance in today’s context. Instead of pursuing logical and justified demands, movements are often driven by irrational and deliberate motives, posing a threat to democracy and causing serious harm to the state and society. The core purpose of any movement is to present public demands through peaceful and constructive means. This is a natural and expected element of a democratic society for protecting citizens’ rights. However, when such movements are based on illogical, unrealistic or self-serving agendas of certain groups, they not only disrupt public life but also endanger national stability.

In recent times, Bangladesh has witnessed a growing trend of staging demonstration in educational institutions, politics, economy and society fuelled by irrational demands. Students or employees frequently resort to protests for the smallest reasons. At the root of this lies a longstanding psychology of disobedience, where emotion trumps logic, and the pursuit of immediate gain outweighs discipline. In a healthy democratic state, grievances or demands should be addressed through formal appeals, administrative discussions, dialogue and legal procedures. Unfortunately, the current trend bypasses these legitimate channels and opts instead to paralyse the streets, threaten the government and escalate tensions. This sort of behaviour is not confined to educational institutions but rather extends to government employees, labour unions and even healthcare professionals who sometimes resort to strikes and protests over unjustifiable demands. This results in public suffering, economic losses, misuse of state resources, and ultimately the erosion of democracy and social order. The damage is not limited to a few groups but to the entire nation.

There may be several causes behind such movements, but political influence often plays a dominant role. Opposition parties mislead the youth and incite them. Additionally, misinformation spread via social media can quickly amplify a minor issue into a massive protest. The situation becomes particularly dangerous when students or the general public join movements without knowing the exact facts, driven purely by emotion. This gives rise to a form of mob justice, which gradually renders the state ineffective. If the state begins to yield under the pressure of every movement, it will cease to function as a true state.

A government that bows down to every protest, accepts every demand and changes regulations on a whim becomes nothing more than a chaotic and manipulated institution. Effective governance requires decisiveness in policy, firmness in principles and uncompromising enforcement of law. Once the state yields to an illogical demand, it sets a dangerous precedent. Eventually, larger crowds with louder voices and more unreasonable demands will emerge. The strength of the protest, not the merit of the demand, becomes the deciding factor.

To overcome this situation, the state must adopt a zero-tolerance policy against illogical demands. Any demands that contradict administrative structure, economic realities and state policy must be clearly rejected. There should be strict enforcement of laws against chaos disguised as protests. Blocking roads, causing public suffering or halting essential services must not be accepted as legitimate tools to put pressure on authorities. At the same time, institutions must be prepared to publicly answer for their actions in the interest of public accountability. Awareness must be raised in educational institutions and workplaces. The younger generation must be taught that demands and opinions should be expressed through democratic channels, not through coercion. They must also understand that voicing demands through proper methods is a part of their responsibility and loyalty to the state as conscious citizens. Every sector of the state must create an environment where dialogue is encouraged for resolving legitimate, reason-based demands.

Illogical protests are no longer just a trend; they are becoming a calculated weapon against the nation’s order and progress. This culture is not just a challenge for law enforcement or administrations; instead, it is a threat to the future of the nation. Bangladesh is now among the frontrunners in development. To survive in global competition, we need a stable society, an efficient administration and a disciplined youth. If we continue indulging in baseless movements, our hard-earned successes may be lost. Therefore, we must move away from the culture of unjustified protests and embrace dialogue, rationality, and a mindset that prioritises the welfare of the nation and its people. Let us make the table of discussion the central stage of Bangladesh’s future.