Time to stop this mindless mayhem

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Muhammad Zamir What we have witnessed over the past few weeks has been an example of irresponsible behaviour contrary to all norms connoted by the term democratic practice. There has been chaos and anarchy on the streets. Nearly one hundred people, including a few policemen, have been killed. Rights of the people-both private and public-have been denigrated, willfully, by a section of our political arena. We have had arson, indiscriminate destruction of private and public property and deliberate efforts undertaken to impede freedom of movement (uprooting railway lines and blocking roadways with burning materials and felled trees). Academic activities have been disrupted and the educational process has suffered. After many years, once again, targeted attacks by fundamentalists and others with vested interests have jeopardised lives of members of minority communities. Reports made available by the UNB have indicated that miscreants have damaged idols of the Hindu pantheon at Sarbojanin Durga Mandir at Boradi Garangal village in Gournadi Upazila in Barisal. They also set afire various infrastructures within the temple complex. There has also been another report of another temple being vandalised at Kashimpur Bazar in Sadar Upazila in Gazipur. There have been other communal attacks in villages located in Bagerhat, in Daudkandi Upazila and in Netrokona. One thought that one Ramu was enough but that has unfortunately not been so. Delwar Hossain Sayedee's death sentence appears to have set in motion most regrettable attacks on the Hindu minority community. Legal steps need to be taken against those who have carried out such attacks, the places of worship repaired and the victims rehabilitated. They also need to be provided with adequate security in the future. One cannot describe what is currently happening as civilised conduct. This has also been stressed by the United Nations where its Secretary General has expressed his concern, his sadness at the loss of lives and also his belief that rights of journalists to go about their work must be permitted without interference. This anxiety appears to have been evoked from recent attacks carried out on media representatives in various parts of the country. The Human Rights Watch has also called on the Jamaat to stop 'unacceptable' attacks against law-enforcement officials and those who support the verdicts of the war crimes trial. This international concern reiterates once again the need for engaging in peaceful protests which are consistent with fundamental democratic and human rights. Mindless violence can never be the solution. It has taken us more than four decades to slowly move away from pervasive poverty. Hope has been nurtured with progress achieved in many sectors related to socio-economic development. Functional literacy has improved, gender empowerment has moved forward with girl children more actively engaged in education and maternal healthcare has been brought to rural doorsteps. There has also been visible growth in living standards not only through benefits accruing from higher remittances received from our expatriate workforce but also through alternative, more diverse effects arising out of small and medium enterprises all over the country. Poultry farming, pisciculture and cottage industry sectors have been excellent examples of this. Our agricultural sector has shown how serious inter-active engagement can solve the problem of hunger and usher in food security. All of these positive aspects have been reflected in the steady growth that has characterised our economic performance over the last few years despite severe international recessionary trends. We have many problems that still need to be tackled and resolved. There is the question of lingering corruption despite efforts of our government to increase accountability through pro-active disclosure and transparency. There are many other areas which are stalling growth. We need better communication facilities (to assist in the growth of our potential tourism sector), improved response to our environmental pollution and greater compliance with international standards pertaining to the care of our labour force. We still have many miles to traverse and more hurdles to cross in our quest to becoming a middle-income country with functioning services and utilities sectors. Consequently, at this critical juncture, ordinary citizens fail to understand why the Opposition is creating such a situation of stressful unpredictability for citizens at large. We have an elected Jatiya Sangsad where contentious issues can be raised, discussed and least common denominators identified for resolution of existing problems. Spiraling violence, loss of human lives and destruction of property cannot be the solution. We have to understand that there are opportunity costs that are generated not only through lack of good governance but also through deliberate breakdown in law and order and political viciousness. Stepped-up confrontational politics over the last year, in the form of hartals have already accounted for losses of more than Taka 35 billion in additional production cost in the RMG sector according to the BGMEA authorities. Continuing turmoil within the country juxtaposed with arson and deaths in many units of the garments industry are factors that are beginning to discourage buyers in giving orders for Bangladeshi RMG. Now, the buyers are worried that in view of the prevailing situation, the Bangladeshi RMG industry owners might not be able to send the apparel goods to buyers within the stipulated time due to uncertainty created by political turmoil. They are beginning to factor in the cost of huge demurrages. The Opposition political leadership have to understand that they need to stop being short-sighted and focus on the future of this country. After all, what is the use of asking for acceptable elections, if, after the formation of the Jatiya Sangsad, elected parliamentarians refrain from attending its sessions and in the meantime devote all efforts towards creating a shattered economy. They have to appreciate that in this competitive world, others competing for international attention will use every opportunity to drive home their perceived advantage of stability to encourage foreign direct investment moving into their country. Bangladesh, as has been pointed out in an international conference organised recently in the United States, has very little time to lose. It has been agreed there that if political stability continues to erode, investors may soon bypass our nation for other attractive locations. In this context, it would be wise to remember that we are located in a very competitive sub-region, where each country is seeking investment and some already have great energy resources and technological potential. Accordingly, our loss will be their gain. The Opposition also has to recognise that efforts to generate public support through misuse of information technology and dishonoring national symbols will not create sympathy for their cause. It can only have an inversely proportional effect and encourage eventually extreme forms of terrorism. At the same time, those responsible for maintaining law and order need to realise that use of lethal weapons may not be the desired solution. History is replete with examples of excessive force breeding more violence and instability. Firmness is required but that needs to be demonstrated through less harsh measures. We are passing through a critical phase in our national history. We need to understand that due process of law and the judiciary are red lines that need to be safeguarded by all parties at all times. Private property must also be respected. We need a closure to the brutal killings and genocide that happened during our war of liberation in 1971. Those guilty of perpetrating these crimes need to be punished for the salvation of the souls of the martyrs. This is not one political party's political agenda. It is the desire of the nation and consistent with international expectations. We have struggled very hard to earn our independence and to create a tolerant society. Let us not risk destabilisation of Bangladesh's democratic credentials and stability. Relevant political parties from the Opposition must understand that creating fear through arson and destruction of private and public property can mean empty streets and closed shops. However, it definitely does not mean public support for their political agenda or the creation of "Banglastan". Having a hartal on March 07, an icon for Bangalees, was not a wise idea. Muhammad Zamir, a former Ambassador, is an analyst specialised in foreign affairs, right to information and good governance. mzamir@dhaka.net