DESTINY OF THE NATION IN THE HANDS OF THUGS AND CRIMINALS

• F R Chowdhury

There are as many as 193 Member States of the United Nations. All of them are not governed the same way. They have different history, religion and culture. Their requirements are different. Everything does not suit or meet the needs of everyone. Every nation has its own constitution to reflect the hopes and aspirations of the nation. Bangladesh has its own constitution. It is supposed to set the road to democracy through freedom of expression, human rights, equality and justice.

It was during the period of General Ershad as President, we found that elections can be held without voters. Political parties called for “hartal” or boycott. Streets were deserted. Yet, government controlled radio, television and other media kept on broadcasting imaginary news of thousand of voters and victory for the man in power. Since then we noticed the trend in political leaders the lust for eternal power. Free and fair elections became history. It became almost impossible to defeat the ruling party and its leader in a general election. Mrs. Hasina Wajed came with a brilliant idea. She suggested that prior to general election the government should resign and pave the way for the President of the republic to arrange for a non-party impartial government to conduct the general election. This would ensure plain level field for all; I mean equal opportunity and facility for all. Nobody could enjoy the benefit of being in power and certainly no scope for anyone to utilise state facilities. It worked wonderful until the lady herself became the prime minister.

Hasina came to power with more than 2/3 majority. She utilized this opportunity to amend the constitution to remove the provision for care-taker government for conduct of the general election. She justified the amendment by saying that it was an undemocratic provision that existed nowhere else in the world. This statement cannot be accepted because there are still several provisions in our constitution that we do not see elsewhere. In fact the amendment was done to perpetuate power. In Bangladesh politics there are two leaders who always scratched each other’s back – they are Ershad and Hasina. During Ershad period when all political parties boycotted election, Hasina and Awami League participated to give it legitimacy. Similarly in 2014 when all political parties boycotted the election under Hasina government, Ershad and Jatiyo Party participated to give some degree of legitimacy. Their friendship has been a thorn on our road to democracy.

If Hasina had not amended the constitution, all political parties would have played their due role. They would take part in parliament; debate and decide on major issues. The parties would have placed their manifesto before the people and do good work to earn the respect and reputation of the people for the next election. All changes would have happened through peaceful democratic means. There would have been no need for street demonstration or other destructive activities. When the doors to democratic changes through normal process close, doors to violence and destruction open. When that happens, the situation goes out of control of genuine politicians. It becomes a heaven for criminal, thugs, muggers and miscreants. It becomes a question as to who have the bigger muscle power. Who can take control of the streets.

The elections held in 2014 was a replica copy of elections held under Ershad regime. More than 50% seats were already won by the BAL (because of no opposition candidate) even before the day of election. Rest of the election was a show business. People in general boycotted the election. BNP relaxed its movement for democracy when Hasina announced that the election was being held to maintain the continuity of constitution and democratic process. Hasina said the same to all visiting dignitaries who expressed their concern over Bangladesh. Everybody expected some all-party dialogue after the election to resolve the crisis once for all. No sooner the election was completed, power hungry Hasina turned away from her words. She declared that next election would only be held after another five years. Truly speaking the present government is illegal because there was no election, it was mockery of an election.

The people of Bangladesh rightly decided to observe the anniversary of 2014 election as the day when democracy was murdered. The BAL declared it to be celebrated as victory day. The political situation again heated up. All attempts for peaceful meetings and demonstrations by BNP were denied by authorities. The most shocking thing happened when police prohibited all gatherings in the public interest and then gave full protection to BAL activities. The government arrested hundreds of BNP leaders. They kept Khaleda Zia under house arrest without any court order. Such oppression and suppression was not even witnessed in Pakistan days except for 1971. The police, judiciary and civil administration have become extended wing of BAL. The fabric of civil society has been destroyed. This is damage beyond repair.

Sheikh Hasina and BAL should know and understand that all the criminals they have put on the road to foil the opposition movement will have to be rewarded if they happen to survive and remain in power. People like Maya, Hanif, Ashraf, Qamrul and Hassan Mahmud will remain the symbol of their political strength. They have no manners and etiquettes. They do not know anything about political and diplomatic language. At the same time BNP should also know that the criminals who are now doing all the killing and destruction on the road will have to be rewarded if the movement succeeds. Violence only helps the criminals.

There is certainly one simple solution to the present crisis. The prime minister, if she genuinely loves the people, should come on the radio-TV and announce her decision to call the parliament to amend the constitution to re-introduce the provision for conduct of the general election under impartial non-party care-taker government. She should further announce that free and fair election under such care-taker government would be held within six months of her declaration. That should be the end of all violence, killing and destruction. That should diminish the role of criminals. You do not have to reward criminals. The destiny of the nation shall be determined by genuine politicians who will be elected by the people for their knowledge, wisdom, honesty and dedication. Country should be run by people who will hold the image of Bangladesh high enough for us to feel proud of it.

London, 10-January-2015