Bogura, one of Bangladesh's oldest cities with a rich heritage, has faced significant political and regional discrimination, particularly during the Awami League's 16 years in power. While political bias is not new, district-level discrimination has intensified, with Bogura suffering across nearly every sector just because opposition party's founder hails from the area.
The Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogura has not hosted a single match since March 9, 2006, leaving it abandoned and used for grazing cattle. Despite 70 to 80 per cent of the airport's construction being completed, the project was abruptly halted in 2006. Road maintenance is often delayed or overlooked, and essential medical equipment is frequently lacking in local hospitals.
Azizul Haque College, fully qualified for promotion to a public university, remains overlooked simply because of its location in Bogura. This disregard for regional educational growth reflects the overall neglect of the district.
Discrimination extends to industries and trade as well. Bogura often misses out on government incentives granted to businesses in other districts, deterring investment and hindering economic progress. Local small businesses face greater scrutiny and obstacles than those in neighboring areas, with government contracts rarely awarded to them.
Moreover, many government officials from Bogura have been reassigned or dismissed, with new appointments often coming from other regions. This undermines local governance and exacerbates the challenges faced by Bogura's youth, who encounter disproportionately high barriers to government employment. The district has a significantly lower clearance rate for the BCS exam compared to other regions, suggesting a deliberate exclusion of Bogura citizens from civil service positions.
Political retribution has pushed Bogura into the shadow of its formar self, with its people enduring systematic and calculated punishment.
Al MahinShoikot
Department of Accounting and Finance
North South University
almahinshoikot@gmail.com