• Why was Tarique Rahman provided with a division, as he does not qualify under any category?
• What legal "loophole" has prompted the political arch-crooks, who are languishing in jails, to make a petition to the government to allow them to travel abroad for their treatment?
• And, indeed, why does the government need to mull over it? The petition should get dismissed by default. There's no precedent, in any civilised democracy, of allowing arch-criminals (who are facing justice) to leave country on health issue, however compelling it is!
• Why are the two leaders (AL and BNP) still enjoying the homely comfort and the latitude (as extended by the government) despite a catalogue of grave allegations staring in their face? This is becoming counter-productive to the government.

One does not need to delve into archives of law and political sciences to appreciate the adage "no one is above the law." Indeed, it is enshrined in constitutions of any civilised sovereign nation. Sadly, Bangladesh society has failed comprehensively to rise above the class cognizant and elitist mind-set (a vile legacy of colonialism), which are the very causes of all depravity and regression (read corruption) in our socio-political structures.

It is appalling that Tareque Rahman should receive "special" treatment when it comes to "division" in jail? The man has ruthlessly devoured public money and national assets like a plague of locusts. This man is no better than the other criminals (small time or big time) who are now languishing in jails all over the country -- at least; the other thieves (compulsive or not) didn't carry out their vile crimes under the shadow of some benign social status.

He neither held any public office nor any elected office -- he simply made millions and millions of dollars by extortion, in league with his other equally felonious buddies by simply conducting a campaign of terror and intimidation under the very shadow of his mother, the ex-PM. Had it not been for the crimes of Tarique et al, thousands of crores of taka would now be well utilised for some worthwhile national cause.

DIG (Prisons) Major Siddique told The Daily Star (March 13): "We did not provide division facilities to Tarique as he does not qualify under any category to get the facilities." However, today, the authority finds now in their infinite wisdom that this criminal deserves a higher division befitting his "social standing." What social standing? This notorious criminal, who made a career out of stealing crores of taka from public fund, can have only one social standing that which belongs in the filth of gutters and cesspool of any society.

Could this be a paradigm shift for the government's position? Without a shred of doubt, the people of this country have invested a lot in this government -- the people are anxiously waiting to see an end to the tyranny, which is better known as thievery by virtue of democracy.

This government was supposed to uphold the principle that no one is above the law; however, they have made it abundantly clear that the criminal Tarique still ranks among the higher echelon of our society. What compelling findings prompted this shift in posture, no one would ever know!

Also, the former ministers and some top brass who are now languishing in jail on charges of corruptions and extortion are beginning to get a taste of the "heat" of their jail. And it was only a matter of time before they cook up a pitiable ploy to get away with their crimes and to get away from the mess they are in. Lately, S.Q. Chowdhury et al have made an application to the CTG for allowing them to travel abroad for their treatment, because the local health care is deemed to be unreliable and unworthy of their stature!

But why such disdainful attitude towards the very health care system they themselves neglected in their 16 years of tenure? Didn't these same leaders (if we are not amnesiac) use to scream (like a broken record) at the top of their voice at every political rally, what great achievements they had brought about in all sectors! How much Bangladesh is progressing! How the people are so happy and grateful for bringing such fictitious prosperity in their life!

If the government succumbs to their ill-design and allows them to travel abroad, then I am afraid these criminals are as good as having got away with their crimes. Let's not forget, these criminals have amassed a phenomenal illegitimate wealth (in terms of cash and kind) most of which are stashed away safely in several countries.

Not only will the government be unable to bring them back in Bangladesh to face justice, but rest assured these criminals would try every sneaky and vile method to stall their return, and, moreover, they would trump up government opinion in the host country to discredit Bangladesh government. So if the government does yield to their so-called request, then this would be another total blunder and a slap on the face of the people.

The longer the two leaders (AL and BNP chairpersons) are kept in the seemingly comfortable positions the worse shape the so-called reform process would take. They are becoming the very bottlenecks in a permanent, healthy and a feasible reform in the parties. Ironically, these leaders are clutching on the very aspects such as "grass-roots level supporters," "council members," "working committee," etc which were conveniently neglected when they were in power.

Isn't it high time we shunned this putrid culture of always giving leeway to our societal former elites even when they are languishing in jail on criminal charges? How many trillions of cusecs of water need to flow along Padma, Meghna, and Jamuna before we change our mindset for good? How many more political disasters, mayhems and devastations do the people of this nation need to endure before the government wakes up?

How much more the people of this country have to endure a life full of sham and drudgery? When will the politicians (most of whom are inept, short-sighted, and plunderers of public money) let go of their bite on people's welfare? And indeed, how many billions of taka (from public fund) these so called "representatives of the people" need to devour before they choke and wither away into extinction?

S. I. Zaman is a university professor .