Warning of what it calls a “serious decline” in moral values across Bangladesh, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has put the issue of social ethics and public behaviour at the centre of its election manifesto, promising curriculum reforms, media campaigns and coordinated action to tackle rising instability and youth crime.
In a strongly worded section of the manifesto, the party claims that the erosion of values has fuelled social unrest and created an atmosphere of insecurity in public life. BNP says restoring morality and virtue will be treated as a national priority, linking the issue directly to education, religion and social movements.
Education, media and religion at the heart of reforms
According to the manifesto, BNP plans to introduce changes to the national education curriculum aimed at promoting humane, tolerant and equality-based social values. Teachers are described as “architects” of future citizens, with the party pledging initiatives to motivate educators to guide students toward responsible behaviour and inclusive thinking.
Mass media is expected to play a central role in shaping public awareness under the proposal. BNP says television, cultural platforms and communication campaigns would be used to promote positive social messages and counter what it sees as a growing culture of intolerance and moral decay.
The party also links its strategy to the practice of religious values, arguing that ethical guidance drawn from faith traditions can help rebuild social discipline and cohesion.
Teenage gangs in focus
One of the most striking elements of the proposal is BNP’s warning about the rise of teenage gangs, which it describes as a growing threat to public safety. The manifesto claims that declining moral standards among young people have contributed to the spread of youth violence and insecurity in urban areas.
To address the issue, BNP promises a “collective response” involving families, educational institutions, community leaders and state agencies. The party says coordinated action at multiple levels will be necessary to suppress the gang culture and restore public confidence.
Political messaging ahead of elections
The emphasis on morality and social order signals BNP’s attempt to broaden its campaign beyond economic and governance issues. By highlighting concerns about youth behaviour and cultural values, the party appears to be tapping into public anxieties about crime, social change and generational shifts.