Echoes of Inequality: The Widening Gap Between Rich and Poor in Bangladesh

After the Awami League and Sheikh Hasina assumed power in Bangladesh, one major concern is the amount of attention the gap between the rich and poor is receiving. They both are increasingly separated from each other and because of it, specific socio-economic groups continue to be impacted negatively because poverty is now more widespread than ever. At the same time, the wealthy are becoming wealthier exponentially faster than the already large amount of wealth they possess.

For the poor, life has become increasingly challenging. Economic policies and social programs, if any, have failed to uplift their lives greatly. Basic needs such as food, housing, and even a means of subsidized medicine are out of reach for so many people that they deepen into the pit of poverty and despair Even the hope for social mobility is making people hopeless with dire conditions and fights becoming normal.

Meanwhile, the wealthy elite seem to flourish within the living environment. Wealthy people have the access of funds, business deals, and other lifesaving aids which assure their constant growth and dominance over the ordinary people. The ruling party’s decisions cater to the rich bubble surrounding the income disparity and therefore further increases the distance between the wealthy and poor.

This gap splitting the wealthy from the impoverished goes beyond monetary issues. It deals with morality and the concepts of justice and fairness. With the rich becoming richer, the poor’s concerns are silenced and ignored alongside their rights.

Societal inequality needs a combined effort from the government and the public in question. Resources, social welfare and everything in between, needs to be made accessible to everyone. There is a need for a society that caters to all social and economic backgrounds.

There needs to be attention directed towards the leaders to ensure policies provided are beneficial for those in need. Striving for equity in society where the wealth disparity is compacted is what is required. Only then will the pretense of ensuring a better tomorrow for all Bangladeshi’s where wealth is enjoyed by everyone, not solely a few, be fulfilled.