When ruling governments become
corrupt or are inherently illegitimate, they tend to rule in the dark. They are
more likely to run the country by fear and coercion, governing in bits and
pieces, always in crisis mode, deep in suspicion and mistrust. They become
overly dependent on secret policing, draconian laws, powerful security
intelligence and deep state bureaucracy of cronies and blind loyalists. Indeed
foreign collaboration is sought to fend off sanctions and condemnations of
human rights violations. There are never any long term plans nor good policies
in the funnel. Everything is done to remain in power, using brute force and
unbridled authority. Everything is run day by day to suppress freedom and to
stifle dissent. Its intelligentsia, the elite and affluent, competent and able
people of eminence are either cowered in fear, repressed, compliant, compromised
or in culpability with the dark regime, living off in luxury aloof from the
woes of the nation. Otherwise they are either in prison, hiding underground or
in exile.
This is so in the political darkness
of Bangladesh. States like these regard the opposition as enemies of the state.
The government of Bangladesh behaves as if their opponents and dissenters are
their primal foes to be vanquished and eradicated by any means. At present and
throughout its rule, it is in a determined political deadlock with the
opposition coalition. Democracy and peaceful means in resolving political
issues seem beyond the aptitude of
Bangladesh’s ruling clique. Political dialogue and accommodation is simply
ruled out. Its actions become more and more vicious and insidious hence condemning
Hasina’s government towards a point of no return.
In a vibrant democracy, political
conflicts cannot be won by criminalizing the other. Hasina has sentenced to
death respected leaders of the Jamaat Islami at a time when political Islam
ought to be a means of discourse in resolving Bangladesh’s turmoil. Instead of healthy
engagement and rigorous debate over the course of the nation’s well being and future,
Hasina prefers authoritarianism and the stifling of other views. Jamaat leaders
are being unjustly treated, persecuted and meted out harsh sentences either to
the gallows or spending years in prison. They are charged with something from
figments of the past being made bogeymen for a catastrophic beginning in the
birth of Bangladesh. Damage has already been done through brutal suppression of
demonstrations and mass arrests but releasing these politicians would make
possible reconciliation talks and making amends towards achieving higher
objectives of the nation.
The past colonial masters made
the carving up of old India into ungovernable parts of a unified Pakistan. The
result being civil war and India’s invasion ending up with a new separate nation.
This new country was beset by difficult geographic conditions and enormous economic
problems, bad neighbours, one of the largest and densest population is the world,
abject poverty, a legacy of failed governments and perpetual political crisis.
Yet there is hope. The success
story of the microcredit scheme to alleviate the poor was started in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh has a wealth of human resource, their expatriate workers and
migrants provide ready cheap labour and contribute to the successful
development of others especially in emerging countries and markets, they are
known throughout the world as good workers. The way out of the mess the country
is in is to lead and inspire these highly rated citizens and workers into
building up their own nation and develop their much needed economy, education, infrastructure
and social services. This needs able and competent leadership that can transcend
narrow political rivalry and carry out change. This can only happen in calm and
peaceful conditions. Bangladesh needs to make peace with itself. Its leaders
must come out of the political darkness while there is still light.
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