Hasina-Khaleda amity may lead to better democracy
Breaking news from neighbouring West Bengal inspired me to write this article. The newly-formed government of West Bengal, with Mamata Banerjee as the chief minister, decided to observe the birth anniversary of Jyoti Basu at the state level. The news reminded me of another report published earlier: Mamata Banerjee spent a sleepless night at the bedside of hospitalised Jyoti Basu, caring for her cardinal political opponent while also pouring out bitter words against his political philosophy and activities to the media and in mass-gatherings.
Unaware of what happens behind the scenes, the civil society, media personnel, and the people at large in Bangladesh opine that Khaleda and Hasina have intermingled their political relationship with their personal etiquette. Our electronic media, especially in their talk shows, have recently set this as an agendum.
Disagreements and debates on political issues are natural phenomena and essentially needed in democratic exercise. When these cross the boundary of the political arena and expand to the familial and personal levels, they may lead to a situation that we can now see and realise in this country.
The ridiculous practice of changing the names of our national institutions with the change-over of political power, verbal defamation and physical dismantling of sculptures and photographs on the roadsides and office premises, are unprecedented even in countries that are less developed (let's not say less civilised!) than Bangladesh.
Although we are habituated to treating Bangladesh as a country with "multi-party democracy," only Awami League and BNP emerged as the ruling parties since independence. This could neither be of any harm nor be seen as unnatural. What we see in the political arena of the USA is a two-party game of taking over power by either the Democrats or the Republicans, in turn. The United Kingdom and many other European countries have the same scenario.
The emergence of leaders from the same family is seen by some as a type of pseudo-monarchy that evoked much of our discussions in the recent years. Truly speaking, arguments against this norm are also baseless because we need not go farther than India for such examples. These imply that Awami League and BNP may take over power in turn for many more years to come, and either Khaleda or Hasina is expected to be the prime minister again and again.
With this reality, the citizens desire that the personal and familial relationship be improved between these two leaders for the greater interest of the country. Their personal intimacy may lead to a ground for better democratic exercise. Recent discussions in the electronic and the print media emphasise that Sheikh Hasina, as the leader in power, should come forward to taking the lead in this reunion. We like to use the term "reunion" because they were firmly united in their fight against Ershad's regime in the 1990s.
Bangabandhu's personal intimacy with his political opponents is well-known and may be exemplified from a memorable event at the after-marriage reception party of Anwar Hossain Manju at their Dhanmondi residence. Anwar Hossain Manju was then the VP of Fazlul Haque Hall Students Union. He invited some of us who were close to him as Chhatra League workers. Banganandhu was temporarily released from jail (on parole) to allow him to participate in the marriage ceremony of the son of his close friend and neighbour Tofazzal Hossain Manik Mia.
On our arrival, we were a bit surprised to see another guest -- Fazlul Quader Chowddhury. In absence of President Ayub Khan, he was then the acting president of the country by dint of his constitutional right as Speaker of the National Assembly.
Sheikh Mujib and F.Q. Chowdhury were seated together in a table longer than required for the two occupants. Armed guards of the acting president and those who came to monitor movements and actions of captive leader of the opposition were standing behind them. We occupied a table far away from these two honourable guests and were enjoying their intimate gossip. Characteristic roaring laughter of Bangabandhu and smiling gesture of F.Q. Chowdhury clearly apprised us of their intimate personal relationship. Suddenly, bridegroom Anwar Hossain Manju told us: "Come, let me introduce you all to the leader."
As we followed him and introduced ourselves to Bangabandhu, he said: "Why are you seated so far away, be seated here with me, you guys; I came out from jail after a long time." Suspecting a break of decorum of the presidency, F.Q. Chowdhury's chief security officer whispered something to him.
We could clearly hear the answer, "no problem," of the acting president -- and we tried to be seated as close to Bangabandhu as possible on both sides of their table. We enjoyed the party, with the friendly gossip of the "king and the captive" as an added condiment to the menu!
The personal friendship of Mamata Banerjee and Jyoti Basu, and that of Bangabandhu with his political opponents can be the guiding values for our two top leaders in their attempt for reunion. Their amity at the personal and familial level may bring about a congenial atmosphere for better democratic exercise at all levels, which will also have a positive impact on the economic development of Bangladesh.
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