We rot along with our politics

The wound that the country received from the seven murders is still raw. A pall of gloom looms in the air, confusion runs high in people’s minds as the law takes its own course.

Even before the blood could dry out in the bloated corpses of the seven souls, we have another gruesome killing in Feni. Then another in Noakhali, then in Laksham, and then …

Shocking revelations are meted out to the members of the public each day. We wait with baited breath for more truths to unveil. Our patience and perseverance is being tested every day. We did not deserve this. We have the right to live our lives, so says the state.

The alleged complicity of the law enforcing agencies, local political goons, and high-ups of the society makes the matter even more awful, distressing, and repulsive. The outcome of all this would be the ultimate loss of conviction in every individual and institution. That’s the peril one ought to be apprehensive about.

Ekram was murdered in broad daylight. This was more brazen, more furious, more pathetic. The way it was carried out speaks of the nature of revulsion those killers carried in their hearts while committing the act, thanks to the instigator who succeeded in instilling malice in their tender minds.

Gunshots, indiscriminate stabbing, and setting the bleeding body ablaze to burn him alive making sure he does not breathe anymore – the charred remainder was all that could be rescued.

It was political rivalry that took his life. Look at the young healthy boys who were involved in the killing. I was taken aback to see the youngsters paraded before the TV camera.

These youngsters could have easily been a boon for their families and the nation. If only they were guided on the right path. But they were not, and that’s the tragedy of this nation.

Things have been deteriorating so fast that we have actually lost track. Trackless minds hardly keep pace with the events that are taking place in every corner of the land.

From Feni we travel to Noakhali and Laksham to collect another account of death and murder. It is a recurring cycle. The only difference is that every new act is committed with more vengeance and horror.

We understand from the later revelations that these were the outcomes of political rivalry. If that is so, our politics is undoubtedly in ugly hands.

These hideous hands need to be neutralised. How should we go about it? Who is the saviour? Where is the ideal theorist who is going to come up with a solution to cleanse our politics?

We say the politicians are responsible for all of this. Will they take it sportingly and admit their faults? We know the answer.

Rather, these leaders, enjoying everything at people’s cost, would hark back claiming their innocence and putting the blame on anyone else. Pointing fingers is so simple, because it doesn’t need the authorisation of the law. So if the leaders do not take responsibility, who will? Who is going to ensure the security of our children?

The contention between the differing factions of the ruling party is now in the open. Since the opposition has been effectively drawn to the sidelines, the field is now only left to the ruling party members.

They have taken over the law of the land. A sense of impunity has grasped their thoughts and actions. They have turned so desperate that elimination of their rivals is the only solution to their internecine struggle.

The crime is never carried out perfectly, but these people have a way of getting away with anything. They commit horrid crimes following carefree planning with the unending blessings of the godfathers. They are sometimes even backed by law enforcers who help with the maiming and killing.

Then they can simply go into hiding or flee abroad. And chances are they might just make good on their escape for the time being. They have the golden opportunity to re-emerge after a few days, months, or even a decade, only to come back and say the allegations were false. They start their lives over and plan the next target.

The police chief informs us that these are stray incidents. Our conscience doesn’t move, our lips don’t flutter, our speech doesn’t slur, and our visions are not blurred. Our hearts don’t ache when we tacitly give in to the barbarity of these blemished humans.

We embrace the same person to make him the next commissioner, next mayor, or the next member of the parliament. We have started rotting along with our politics. The stench in the air is overwhelming.