Questions for a Conscientious Citizen
I saw a huge billboard at the Kakoli intersection sponsored by the newly elected Chatro League Joint Convener of Titumir Government College expressing his heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. I got to pondering, how can a young college student afford such a large advertisement in such a prominent location? How much money is there in student politics? I suppose the admission and hall dokhol (possession) business must be booming. Even seasoned criminals would be 'incentivized' to seek higher education.
Chatra League, Chatra Dal, Jubo League, Jubo Dal take turns by rotation at control of the criminal underworld; and the usual chadabaji, shontrashi and tenderbaji (extortion, terrorism and racketeering). Armed and blessed by the ruling party, protected by police, sheltered from the lower courts –the Italian mafia could learn a thing or two from these guys. The Chatra League goons who hacked Biswajit to death were only arrested because of media exposure, public outcry and a high court order. Otherwise, they would have gotten away with a pat on the back and elevation within the cadre hierarchy. It remains to be seen if justice will be served.
It is exactly this kind of vested interest that has swelled the ranks of AL and BNP. There has been a drastic decline in the quality of membership at all levels in both parties. When the core ideology of both parties is to grab power and hold on by any means, it is only natural that people with vested interest will join. Nobody joins politics to play a constructive role in the opposition. The main culprits in this sordid game are businessmen and retired civil/military bureaucrats who grovel at the feet of the Netris, beg for nomination and then spend copious amounts of black money to win elections. Nominations are bought and sold, and the victors gorge themselves in corruption. In exchange, they surrender the interests of the country and give their leader free reign and absolute power.
Sheikh Hasina has jeopardised our democracy by unilaterally abolishing the Caretaker Government, followed by one fiasco after another – Padma Bridge, Hallmark, Destiny, share scam, Grameen Bank etc. Yet no one from within the party dare criticize her, let alone challenge her for leadership of the party. Instead, she is elected unopposed as President of AL! Trial of war criminals is a brilliant diversionary tactic and a blow to the opposition, which has taken on a whole new dimension with Shahbagh. We are just pawns in their game of politics – pawns being the first to be sacrificed. I voted for AL in 2008 – if there is an election in 2014, do they expect my vote again?
In 2001, BNP under the leadership of Khaleda Zia came to power with a two-thirds majority in Parliament. Tarek Zia ran the country for the next five years from Hawa Bhaban. Hawa Bhaban are the alleged masterminds behind the 21/08 grenade attacks on Sheikh Hasina and AL, promoters of corruption, nepotism and militant zealots. They tried to hijack democracy by manipulating the caretaker system, leading to 1/11. BNP lost the elections in 2008, were reduced to a 10% minority from a two-thirds majority and became the main opposition party in Parliament. BNP had a wonderful opportunity to reinvent itself, by instituting democratic reforms and promoting young leaders to take over from failed leadership, distance itself from Hawa Bhaban and change the political culture of Bangladesh. But they have chosen to do exactly the opposite, embracing sycophancy and Paribartantra, keeping the same dinosaurs at the helm of the party, and hope to return to the days of Hawa Bhaban with Tarek Zia as PM. I voted for BNP in 2001 – if there is a free and fair election in 2014, do they expect my vote again?
The silver lining in the dark clouds that are politics in Bangladesh is the people. Given the choice of the lesser of the two evils in every election since 1991, they have always made the right choice. They have never allowed any party two consecutive terms in power. While our politics and politicians continue to degenerate, the electorate is younger with a sizeable middle class, more educated, more informed and more conscious politically. We have 9.5 crore voters with 9 crore mobile phones, 6 crore have internet access, 30 lakh on Facebook, dozens of satellite TV channels and a powerful electronic and print media. Internet activists have emerged as a potent force with Shahbagh. Although many view Shahbagh as a pro AL movement and are alarmed by “Fashi Chai” (hang them) slogans, our rulers now know that they can no longer ignore the will of the people and remain in power. The will of the people is clear – we want justice, we want free and fair elections acceptable to all, we want transparent and accountable government, we want access to Youtube and an end to internet censorship, we want real democracy and not this sham that is Paribartantra propped up by vested interest.
To my fellow citizens, I salute you. Your judgment, patience and resilience are legendary. You have been the engine of growth for Bangladesh despite our dysfunctional politics and bad governance. Cherish and protect our democracy at any cost. Leaders with vision, courage and integrity will emerge from the ashes of ideologically bankrupt politics. Digitalization of politics will inevitably return us to a Government of the people, for the people and by the people. Can you smell a Bangladeshi Spring in the air?
Omar Chowdhury is the founder of Jukto Front on Facebook