People are raising their eyebrows or even questioning the necessity of ‘Bangladesh type’ democracy
- Scenes like this have been common since the turn of the year. People are weary that more is to come
Photo- Syed Zakir Hossain
These days every third person seems to be asking the same question: Ki hobe bhai? And Nirbachon ki hobe? (What is going to happen? And will there be an election?)
Often the discussions will conclude that the political parties never did deliver in Bangladesh. Some eccentric yet popular friends might question the very necessity of democracy and show many examples to prove that democracy has not delivered. A few chauvinists may smile and tell you: nothing will happen unless these two ladies are gone.
Intellectuals on popular talk shows often hint towards an absence of democracy within the political parties or lament our failure to properly run and safeguard institutions.
Few television channels run opinion polls among people in the streets most of which portray a dismal picture of uncertainty about the imminent political transition in Bangladesh.
Senior citizens, development partners and sensible people in the law enforcement agencies are increasingly concerned about political tensions and the consequences of this uncertainty – more loss of properties, more political killings or uglier retaliations. Some are even pointing fingers at organised forces subsiding or backing the anarchy this way or that and are afraid of a possible civil war.
Bangladesh has played a leading role in United Nations peace keeping forces. Our well trained armed forces personnel, including a few experienced policemen, have established their efficacy in many peace keeping deployments in Central, Western and Northern Africa, Middle East, Europe and even in one or two conflict zones in Asia. Their experience in participating in UN peace keeping operations, which has seen some of soldiers honourably lose their lives, has helped establish a successful model for ensuring global peace, especially during volatile political transitions and civil wars. Generals from Bangladesh have been appointed force commanders; a Bangladeshi- origin under secretary looks after the forces support at the UN.
Our diplomats in the permanent mission in New York have lately been talking about possible appointment of a Bangladesh military senior as military adviser to the entire UN peace keeping operations, ahead of candidates from other countries
Now, contemplate this: will current political tensions and uncertainties worsen and become so bad that they may require peace keeping intervention from the United Nations?
Things are not looking good at all. People are increasingly pessimistic about a smooth or semi smooth political transition. Our political gurus and their lieutenants have contributed much towards an ineffective election commission, defocused judiciary, pampered civil-military bureaucracy, and, more importantly, inefficient support services including the law enforcement agencies.
If people are raising their eyebrows or even questioning the necessity of “Bangladesh type” democracy, undoubtedly, democracy is at stake.
If the “let loose” situation continues for a few more months, a few even apprehend a civil war type situation. There is a serious trust gap emerging among all strong constituencies: political parties, civil-military bureaucrats, journalists and senior citizenry. Chain of command is not working where it should work most.
In many offices, juniors who are close to the political hierarchy are dictating terms for the seniors. The entire policy planning or implementation process has become ad-hoc and issues important for the future of the country have been put on the back burner.
Clouds seem to be thickening everywhere. People are losing confidence in their leadership. Unaccountability and constant politicisation is contributing towards lawlessness.
Business or entrepreneurship successes are being hindered or getting submerged under political failures.
Bangladesh could likely lose out to its competitors in the economic opportunity space putting a question mark about the future of 160m people.
This is not acceptable. This was not the thought upon outcome during our war of liberation in 1971. Bangladeshis do not deserve this from their political leaders. Most people want to mind their own business and contribute towards the success of the country.
The existing political model is yet to deliver this and has failed to keep the nation together and build its progress.
Yet we are ready to experiment with democracy further because democracy can help to deliver sustainable growth.
However, sooner rather than later we may need to seriously review our existing non functional model and fix it to align it this with the aspirations of the people.
Otherwise incidental expenses could be very high and push towards not thought upon, but immediate, surgery.
Source: DhakaTribune
