'Dialogue only way to address conflict'

BNP will decide in two days whether it would field any candidates in the upcoming Dhaka and Chittagong city corporation polls, says Lt Gen (retd) Mahbubur Rahman, a standing committee member of the party. Star file photo

The Daily Star (TDS): The country and its people are literally in flames right now and the economy in dire straits.  How much longer will you hold the common people hostage for the sake of your movement?

Mahbubur Rahman: The 20-party alliance is undertaking a movement for a noble cause -- democracy. The last election took place without the mandate of the people. It has been criticised both within and outside the country. The government at the time had said that the election was to maintain a constitutional obligation, and that they would hold dialogue later to discuss a mid-term election. It has been one year, but that hasn't happened yet. Bangladesh has a national ethos, hopes and aspirations. We fought in the Liberation War for independence, for establishment of democracy. The 2014 election has posed a huge crisis for democracy.

A free and fair midterm election has to take place with the participation of all parties. And the sooner that can be resolved, the better. We have been waging a movement for more than a month now, but we are against the ongoing violence. We can never indulge in violence. I am personally very concerned that all of Bangladesh is in flames, that the air is heavy with the cries of people. This is unpardonable. Our movement is non-violent, but it has to be admitted that violence is taking place. We are not doing it, but it is happening. There are many evil forces in this country that have their own agenda. They are causing instability and irreparable damage to the people and the economy. I can understand the concern of the business leaders who are saying that the economy has lost Tk.90,000 crore. We are an LDC. How can we make up for this?

TDS: Can you identify the "evil forces" that you mention that are causing this violence? Isn't it true that many BNP activists have been caught red-handed with petrol bombs etc.?

MR: There are of course evil forces, maybe even within us. Those who indulge in terrorism and terrorist activities exist and are active. But it is the government that is running the country. If things go well, it is to government's credit, and if there is instability, it, too, has to be held accountable. The government says it is tackling the law and order situation with a strong hand, but then why is it failing? If it really wants to address the situation, we, too, will support it. The onus lies on the government to ensure security. I cannot identify the evil forces, but why can't the government?

The government, instead of targeting only one party, should conduct fair and independent investigations. Just the other day we saw news of police arresting bomb makers, but they were later released when some party (AL) people insisted that they were of good character. 

TDS: But you have to agree that it is since you called the oborodhs that the violence has escalated? Can your party abjure itself of all responsibility?

MR: In the current context in Bangladesh, it is imperative that democracy is revived. I am not saying that blockades and hartals are the only movement. What other forms of protests are open for us? Rallies and demonstrations are our constitutional rights which are being constantly denied. The government has to rethink this. We want a dialogue, because in a civilised and democratic country, dialogue is the only way to address conflict.

I respect and support the latest civil society initiative. Someone has to mediate, and the UN and many countries are all urging us to sit for dialogue. How can the government say it doesn't accept this initiative? Instead, it says they are architects of 1/11. AL had said it was their movement that had resulted in 1/11, but now they are calling others architects. It's all very contradictory.

TDS: If violence is not your strategy, then what exactly are your activities at the field level? Would it be fair to say that your movement is not garnering widespread public support?

MR: Maybe our activities are not really visible in Dhaka, but outside of Dhaka our presence is very strong. Even the honourable finance minister has admitted that the whole country has been destabilised. It's not necessary that you see leaders on the streets because they are being repressed and cases are being filed against them. But because of our movement, the country has come to a complete stand-still.

As for public support, it is a matter of time. It's true that 16 crore people are not yet standing up. This means that the nation is also divided. The other realty is that people do not like this violence and neither do I. Politicians must have the best interest of the country in mind and so we cannot indulge in violence.

TDS: You spoke about evil forces and extremism. Many people in the country would associate that with Jamaat. You also spoke about the spirit of the Liberation War earlier. In light of these two issues, how would you justify your association with Jamaat?

MR: BNP has a lot of thoughts on Jamaat. We are well aware of the controversies regarding the party, of its war crimes. We are for the war crimes trial and I am respectful of the verdicts of the court. There isn't a lot of opportunity for confusing Jamaat's position with that of BNP's. BNP is an ideological party. Its founder was a valiant freedom fighter and made huge contributions to the economy and the country. We cherish the spirit of liberation. Jamaat has not been able to reconcile with '71, and it does not have the spirit of liberation. With Jamaat, we have more of a strategic relation, not an ideological one.

TDS: If the government agrees to a dialogue, how much would you be willing to compromise?

MR: It has become clear that we want a fair, free and participatory election that is accepted by all. In the classical sense, we are not saying that a caretaker government is a must for this. The point of a caretaker government is to ensure fair elections. If that can be ensured through a different mechanism, we will welcome it. But the main condition is -- election.

TDS: If the government agrees to sit in dialogue with BNP under the condition that you sever your ties with Jamaat, would you consider it?

MR: But my question is why should Jamaat be given such importance? It is a small party; we shouldn't give it too much importance and let it go to their heads. Besides, if the government can prove that Jamaat is associated with terrorist activities then it can take appropriate action.