‘Living in a time of politics without policy’

Eminent jurist Dr Shahdeen Malik yesterday said the state’s “power of violence” has increased, and its mindless application has been evident in the past three to four years.

Such phenomenon was unprecedented in the history of Bangladesh, he said at a discussion marking the 30th anniversary of Drik Picture Library.

Drik arranged the discussion on “Democracy’s Struggle and Intellectuals’ Silence” at its premises in the capital’s Dhanmondi.

Shahdeen Malik said incidents of police brutality and vote-rigging during elections have happened in the past.

“However, suddenly in the past three-four years, a dramatic qualitative change in [the state’s] power of violence has happened,” he said.

Manifestation of this newly acquired “power of violence” by the state has left people perplexed, he further said, adding that such situation could be “temporary”.

He also said although politics persists in the country, at present it is directionless.

On the other hand, the intellectual segment of society is supposed to provide alternatives to every policy or decision taken by the state -- based on principle -- but at present it remains silent, Dr Malik said.

“We are living in a time of politics without policy,” he added.

Addressing the discussion, noted economist Prof Anu Muhammad said since independence, the state has gradually become more “repressive, communal and discriminatory.”

Besides, the strength of state machineries which are involved in repression has also increased over the years, he said.

State’s surveillance capacity has developed only to repress its citizens, he added.

Affirming that many intellectuals remain silent at present, Nurul Kabir, editor of English daily New Age said such silence from intellectuals does not generate from being apolitical.

Their silence is a sign of protest against the prevailing injustice, he added.

Amid such situation, there is a need to create more scope for those who want to be vocal, Kabir said.

People of the country need to overcome their frustration over the prevailing situation and continue their fight for bringing about a change, said Drik’s founder and internationally renowned photographer Shahidul Alam.