Gone with the wind
Tuesday, 16 September 2008
Mohammad Ataul Haque
So, finally all the promises for political and electoral regulatory reforms, corruption-free society, freeing politics from musclemen and black money holders etcetera have now ended in fiasco like bursting of bubbles in the ocean. All the alleged corrupt politicians, money launderers and political musclemen, are now back in the arena due to wielding of "magic wand" who are now vying with renewed vigour to stage a triumphant comeback.
It appears the country is now set to be taken over by the same people again who through their misdeeds during the last thirty years brought the nation to virtual collapse and destruction.
Autocracy and anarchy in disguise of democracy will prevail again. Imagine, how the news of a "fall" in bathroom of an under-trial prisoner could lead to premeditated street vandalism by the political cadres resulting in loss of life and property! Vandalism by the front-line organizations of the parties in various campuses specially in the Dhaka University (DU) already restored and clashes amongst various factions already started disrupting the academic atmosphere. The ominous sign is everywhere.
All hopes and aspirations of the peace-loving general public are now shattered.
In absence of the proposed electoral reforms, they have no role to play excepting to keep watching and praying for the better days ahead, keeping their finger crossed.
No doubt the nation has perhaps lost the golden chance for restoration of an orderly and proper democratic administration led by the educated and honest patriotic political leadership in the country.
Now who is to blame for the debacle; undoubtedly, the two major political parties.
Their controversial intransigent leaders put each and every kind of impediments to arriving out at any sensible solution to the reform process the present administration was aiming.
While they are looking at the long-term national interest, the major parties stuck to their guns of self interest only. National interest is an issue unknown to the dictionary of the politicians in our country.
The present administration, cashing on the overwhelming initial national support to them in the wake of the national catastrophe created by the disgraced politicians, perhaps could put down their feet more strongly against any unreasonable demands of the dishonest politicians.
Perhaps their greatest folly was their initial misunderstanding and soft handling of the controversial politicians who set to defy any kind of improvement in the political order of the country.
Fishing in the troubled water was the politicians' prime intention for survival.
All "angels" are now returning to their victorious welcome by the party cadres.
But one should not be misled by such "welcome" from a handful of jumping and chanting benefit-seeker party men as the voice of the nation.
The silent majority's expectation for an honest and democratic political set-up in the country, although appears a far cry now, is still on. Perhaps more sacrifice is necessary for the nation to achieve the same but when and how that is the big question.
So, finally all the promises for political and electoral regulatory reforms, corruption-free society, freeing politics from musclemen and black money holders etcetera have now ended in fiasco like bursting of bubbles in the ocean. All the alleged corrupt politicians, money launderers and political musclemen, are now back in the arena due to wielding of "magic wand" who are now vying with renewed vigour to stage a triumphant comeback.
It appears the country is now set to be taken over by the same people again who through their misdeeds during the last thirty years brought the nation to virtual collapse and destruction.
Autocracy and anarchy in disguise of democracy will prevail again. Imagine, how the news of a "fall" in bathroom of an under-trial prisoner could lead to premeditated street vandalism by the political cadres resulting in loss of life and property! Vandalism by the front-line organizations of the parties in various campuses specially in the Dhaka University (DU) already restored and clashes amongst various factions already started disrupting the academic atmosphere. The ominous sign is everywhere.
All hopes and aspirations of the peace-loving general public are now shattered.
In absence of the proposed electoral reforms, they have no role to play excepting to keep watching and praying for the better days ahead, keeping their finger crossed.
No doubt the nation has perhaps lost the golden chance for restoration of an orderly and proper democratic administration led by the educated and honest patriotic political leadership in the country.
Now who is to blame for the debacle; undoubtedly, the two major political parties.
Their controversial intransigent leaders put each and every kind of impediments to arriving out at any sensible solution to the reform process the present administration was aiming.
While they are looking at the long-term national interest, the major parties stuck to their guns of self interest only. National interest is an issue unknown to the dictionary of the politicians in our country.
The present administration, cashing on the overwhelming initial national support to them in the wake of the national catastrophe created by the disgraced politicians, perhaps could put down their feet more strongly against any unreasonable demands of the dishonest politicians.
Perhaps their greatest folly was their initial misunderstanding and soft handling of the controversial politicians who set to defy any kind of improvement in the political order of the country.
Fishing in the troubled water was the politicians' prime intention for survival.
All "angels" are now returning to their victorious welcome by the party cadres.
But one should not be misled by such "welcome" from a handful of jumping and chanting benefit-seeker party men as the voice of the nation.
The silent majority's expectation for an honest and democratic political set-up in the country, although appears a far cry now, is still on. Perhaps more sacrifice is necessary for the nation to achieve the same but when and how that is the big question.