We can only agree with the words of BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman which he delivered in the immediate aftermath of the election victory where he stated what must be the new government’s foremost priority: Law and order. 

His call to maintain stability “at any cost” is indeed a reminder of the fragility of peace in Bangladesh and the responsibility that comes with power. Law and order is not simply about preventing crime but about creating an environment where rights are respected, dissent is tolerated, and progress is possible.

Our very recent past offers sobering lessons. While there were unquestionable improvements during the tenure of the interim government, it is also undeniable that citizens witnessed lapses in law enforcement that eroded public trust. 

Nowhere was this more apparent than with how mob violence was all but normalized - a reality that the new BNP government must not only recognize but also eliminate immediately.  The tenure of the interim government left many questioning whether the state could guarantee even the most basic security and it is imperative that such an experience is not repeated. 

The new administration must therefore begin by restoring confidence in the rule of law. This means that citizens, regardless of who they are, feel secure in their daily lives. 

There is also the need to ensure that our law enforcement agencies are empowered, but simultaneously are also held accountable so that their actions reflect fairness rather than fear - an issue that has plagued administrations of the past.

The promise of a “safe and humane” nation as articulated by the BNP chairperson will remain far from reach unless we see consistent, transparent governance. The new government’s credibility will be measured first and foremost by how it delivers on this front.