Bangladesh stands at a crossroads
Saturday, 15 December 2007
Enayet Rasul
BANGLADESH today can be compared to a traveller standing at a junction of two roads in the opposite directions. Travelling on one may take it to the cherished destination. The opposite of failures and pitfalls could be the outcome of moving on the other. A year is about to end and a new one beckons. The country is getting ready to celebrate its triumph in the war of independence thirty-six years ago. But all concerned are keeping their fingers crossed for the new year, 2008, could be truly fateful for Bangladesh in all respects. It could lead to proving our maturity as a nation from successful holding of the eagerly awaited credible national elections after completing deep cleansing reforms in different areas to launch the county into a fresh new journey with hope. Or events could snowball into chaos, confusion and conflicts deeply frustrating the country's prospects of renewed democratic progress and economic development .
When the reconstituted second caretaker government took over in January of the present year, a great deal of positive enthusiasm was noted countywide for it. The new administration of Fakhruddin Ahmed seemed to be just what the doctor ordered. It seemed possessed by a clear vision of what exactly the country needed when it appeared to be slipping towards the edge of the precipice as well as deep resolve to fully carry out its task lists. But nearly a year down the road the enthusiasm all round is seen to be declining.
People in general who were very inspired at the outset by the activities of the new government, are somewhat restless from what they perceive as the failure of the government to address what is supremely a matter of very serious concern to them - the unabated price rises of essential consumption goods. People also have questions in their minds about half baked progress in some of the areas where this government showed unique promise initially such as steps against corruption and misrule. The economy has been affected by the otherwise well intended moves of the government against high profile businessmen. The anticorruption drive created a great scare among businesses in general. This led to a reduction of business activities and investments operations as a whole shrinking means to income and employment.
The leaders in the government themselves have been saying things which have been interpreted like compromises or an withdrawl mentality. Government leaders through their own words admitted that their handling of business operators had been hard and required a rethink. While such confessions raised hopes in business circles, the same were not followed promptly and comprehensively with actions for rehabilitating in full measure the confidence of businesses. This wavering and uncertainty in policies and actions have only gone on feeding the uncertain climate in relation to businesses with adverse consequences of the same for the economy.
The manner in which the government dealt with the insurrectionary trends and anarchic eruption of violence in the country's campuses and elsewhere some months ago, very probably had the approval of the majority of countrymen. Government acting tough to maintain law and order and safety and serenity in public life, this position was well received in general by the people. But the government in strange contradiction is seen as proactive now to forgive and forget the role of the trouble makers in creating countrywide senseless instability. This uncalled for back pedaling is not helping to improve respect for the government that it can deal appropriately with situations that threaten national security. The backing down mode will only encourage the same forces to plot against the government and embolden them to carry out the same with renewed confidence.
Government of course can claim credits for tough actions against corruption. But people have many questions now about the sweep or extent of the anticorruption drive. The drive, so far, has netted some bigwigs and this was unthinkable in the past. But it has also left out many others and this has raised questions. It could be that the government has a negative feedback about its moves against corruption so far and, therefore, has held back from doing a great deal more in this area. But if the leaders of the government really seek a good feedback and get it, they will know how keen the people are for much extending the anticorruption drive. People would be only too happy to see the anticorruption drive extended relentlessly. They want that all who have been left out so far, should be subjected to the due processes of law. Specially, the civil servants of all ranks have been largely left out, though they also are among the ones who spawn the most corruption. Besides, government should not only remain content with catching corrupt individuals. Corruption thrive in an environment or system lacking transparency and accountability. Thus, systemic barriers should be set up against corruption which will prove to be this government's best or effective legacy against corruption in the future.
Like the half-hearted anticorruption drive, government has cosmetically carried out the reform in the judiciary by technically separating it from the executive's control. But this reform will be hardly helpful because the ranks of the judiciary, specially many of the judges in the higher judiciary, allegedly were appointed under narrow political considerations and are not competent to do their work with fairness and competence. So, the so called independence of the judiciary will remain largely meaningless till a scrutiny is are carried out to determine the worth of these judges and the ones found unfit are removed on the basis of it.
Above all, this government must remain absolutely unflinching in pushing to completion all the tasks it has contemplated in the highest national interests. It must not back down or dilly dally knowing that only vested interests would want otherwise. If it keeps on doing the good things and right things with decisiveness and courage, it will find no shortage of support from the most powerful source of political power, the people of Bangladesh.
BANGLADESH today can be compared to a traveller standing at a junction of two roads in the opposite directions. Travelling on one may take it to the cherished destination. The opposite of failures and pitfalls could be the outcome of moving on the other. A year is about to end and a new one beckons. The country is getting ready to celebrate its triumph in the war of independence thirty-six years ago. But all concerned are keeping their fingers crossed for the new year, 2008, could be truly fateful for Bangladesh in all respects. It could lead to proving our maturity as a nation from successful holding of the eagerly awaited credible national elections after completing deep cleansing reforms in different areas to launch the county into a fresh new journey with hope. Or events could snowball into chaos, confusion and conflicts deeply frustrating the country's prospects of renewed democratic progress and economic development .
When the reconstituted second caretaker government took over in January of the present year, a great deal of positive enthusiasm was noted countywide for it. The new administration of Fakhruddin Ahmed seemed to be just what the doctor ordered. It seemed possessed by a clear vision of what exactly the country needed when it appeared to be slipping towards the edge of the precipice as well as deep resolve to fully carry out its task lists. But nearly a year down the road the enthusiasm all round is seen to be declining.
People in general who were very inspired at the outset by the activities of the new government, are somewhat restless from what they perceive as the failure of the government to address what is supremely a matter of very serious concern to them - the unabated price rises of essential consumption goods. People also have questions in their minds about half baked progress in some of the areas where this government showed unique promise initially such as steps against corruption and misrule. The economy has been affected by the otherwise well intended moves of the government against high profile businessmen. The anticorruption drive created a great scare among businesses in general. This led to a reduction of business activities and investments operations as a whole shrinking means to income and employment.
The leaders in the government themselves have been saying things which have been interpreted like compromises or an withdrawl mentality. Government leaders through their own words admitted that their handling of business operators had been hard and required a rethink. While such confessions raised hopes in business circles, the same were not followed promptly and comprehensively with actions for rehabilitating in full measure the confidence of businesses. This wavering and uncertainty in policies and actions have only gone on feeding the uncertain climate in relation to businesses with adverse consequences of the same for the economy.
The manner in which the government dealt with the insurrectionary trends and anarchic eruption of violence in the country's campuses and elsewhere some months ago, very probably had the approval of the majority of countrymen. Government acting tough to maintain law and order and safety and serenity in public life, this position was well received in general by the people. But the government in strange contradiction is seen as proactive now to forgive and forget the role of the trouble makers in creating countrywide senseless instability. This uncalled for back pedaling is not helping to improve respect for the government that it can deal appropriately with situations that threaten national security. The backing down mode will only encourage the same forces to plot against the government and embolden them to carry out the same with renewed confidence.
Government of course can claim credits for tough actions against corruption. But people have many questions now about the sweep or extent of the anticorruption drive. The drive, so far, has netted some bigwigs and this was unthinkable in the past. But it has also left out many others and this has raised questions. It could be that the government has a negative feedback about its moves against corruption so far and, therefore, has held back from doing a great deal more in this area. But if the leaders of the government really seek a good feedback and get it, they will know how keen the people are for much extending the anticorruption drive. People would be only too happy to see the anticorruption drive extended relentlessly. They want that all who have been left out so far, should be subjected to the due processes of law. Specially, the civil servants of all ranks have been largely left out, though they also are among the ones who spawn the most corruption. Besides, government should not only remain content with catching corrupt individuals. Corruption thrive in an environment or system lacking transparency and accountability. Thus, systemic barriers should be set up against corruption which will prove to be this government's best or effective legacy against corruption in the future.
Like the half-hearted anticorruption drive, government has cosmetically carried out the reform in the judiciary by technically separating it from the executive's control. But this reform will be hardly helpful because the ranks of the judiciary, specially many of the judges in the higher judiciary, allegedly were appointed under narrow political considerations and are not competent to do their work with fairness and competence. So, the so called independence of the judiciary will remain largely meaningless till a scrutiny is are carried out to determine the worth of these judges and the ones found unfit are removed on the basis of it.
Above all, this government must remain absolutely unflinching in pushing to completion all the tasks it has contemplated in the highest national interests. It must not back down or dilly dally knowing that only vested interests would want otherwise. If it keeps on doing the good things and right things with decisiveness and courage, it will find no shortage of support from the most powerful source of political power, the people of Bangladesh.