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This is perhaps the only country in the world where there is so much talk of democracy and yet so little in practice. Even the illegal usurpers of power within days of entering into the arena start talking of democracy. True though that there were elected governments that came and went away since we gained our independence, but then that is all there is to it. All governments elected or unelected have been dictatorial and fascistic in nature and character. None of them has worked for democracy in the real sense of the term.
Elections are held, governments are installed, and yet there is no sign of democracy anywhere. It may sound rather unkind and unduly abrasive to say that our politicians and political mangers of the state neither understand nor care for the very basic principles of democracy. We do not practice democracy at any stage of our lives starting from the family down to the various levels of governance of the state. How can democracy flourish in an environment where dissident views and freedom of the press are being gagged at random? How can democracy flourish where the interests of the common man continue to be ignored time after time?
Seminars, talk shows on democracy are held day in and day out; it is all empty rhetoric, sound and fury signifying nothing. All governments have ruled through a concoction of manipulated governance in the name of democracy and democratic practice. To be truthful and honest, so far we have found very little difference between an elected government and an unelected one. Admittedly we do have legacy of "glorious movements" launched successfully by Bengalis against all sorts of injustices and oppression. But it is all a part mere history today.
Ever since our independence, to put it mildly, we have not been able to conduct ourselves as a matured nation. True to the character of the Bengalis we are still stuck in the groove of jealousy, hatred, anger, vengeance and retaliation. Without exception, the rich or the poor, the mighty and the powerful, we are a bunch of petty people having no understanding and appreciation of sagacity, wisdom and vision. We are unable to think and work beyond family levels. We are masters of breaking our cardinal institutions essential in a democracy rather than build or empower the existing ones. Our success and failure are based on false premises. Arrogance and revenge dominate out thinking. We are simply incapable of any sane and sober thinking. We often fail to distinguish between failure and success. We take intelligence for wisdom. We are devoured by our anger. We take out guns at the slightest of provocations to resolve a dispute that could easily be resolved through dialogue and discussions.
One of the major constraints that stand in our way to democratic governance is our inability to yield and contain the power vested in us in a rational and logical way.
In a democracy, the major concern of the government should be the welfare and the wellbeing of the nation and its people. It is unfortunate that while the ruling party is fiercely engaged in serving its coterie and partisan interests, the people are groaning under the weight of multiple problems of day to day living and the administration is busy singing its glorious achievements. The other day, one of our retired chief justices had rightly pointed out that the country's governance is heavily loaded with tender snatchers, intimidators; all kinds of conspirators etc. He is not too far from the truth.
This administration often takes loaded decisions ignoring people's concerns. Closure of the CNG filling stations between six and nine pm, which has increased the misery of the people, is one such classic example. To be honest, it has now become one of the most oppressive measures this government has taken so far. What hurts most is the fact none of the logic presented in support of such an action has been proved right. It is hurting the individual family budget since they have to buy frequently patrol to run their vehicles costing nearly four times as much. I have been running my car on petrol for the past few days. Such is the case with many. One day I asked a gentleman as to whose fault is that we are undergoing such pain. He wiped the sweat off his brows and said, "I guess we can only call it destiny"
One might think as to what relevance has it got with democracy? It has everything to do. It is reflective of two major factors that are missing with this government caring for the people and that it has lost touch with the people for all practical purposes.
If maters are allowed to continue this way we are in for a long hot summer and democracy will fly out the window as it did on so many previous occasions. If that happens we shall have none to blame, but us. For all practical purposes we are turning out to be a nation without a soul.

Shamsher Chowdhury is a columnist for The Daily Star.