Is it democratic political culture?
Thursday, 26 November 2009
Barrister Arafat Hosen Khan
TOLERANCE, a central tenet of democracy, is lacking in the ruling as well as opposition party in Bangladesh. The ruling Awami League could be more accommodative. The government virtually took no initiative to make parliament work with the participation of the opposition. Over the last 10 months the government suffered from quorum crisis in parliament. It is unthinkable for a ruling coalition enjoying 88 per cent majority in parliament. The way AL-led government repeated its earlier exercise with the cantonment residence of Khaleda Zia is difficult to understand. The matter could be left to the law court for a decision. It would make life easy for everyone. Without such exercise it would possibly be a much better parliament.
Will the political leaders in this land ever value political tolerance as a key principle of democracy? Will they ever learn to respect the views of those who differ?
Democracy requires not only political leaders but each and every citizen to practise political tolerance in their words and actions. In a democracy the citizens should treat each other as equals.
Mutual respect is essence of democracy. The right to differ is at the core of democracy. Democracy implies a plurality of views and dialogue is the means of resolving differences. Do the political leaders in this country value all this?
Political intolerance can only breed intolerance. It represents a threat to democracy. Intolerance creates a conformist culture and a closed society.
The leaders in this country needs to understand that. Politics involves competition. Parliament provides the forum for debate for resolving difference and easing tension.
But how is this possible that the opposition and often the ruling party members of parliament do not even bother to attend parliament?
How it is possible in parliamentary democracy? Does the electorate vote for this? Had Noor Hossain lived he would be shocked to see this.
The people are fed up with political culture. They expect their representatives to speak for them in parliament. They do not support parliament boycott over silly matters.
They want to see a lively parliament, with the two sides working together to solve national problems. They expect the ruling party to be tolerant to opposition criticism of actions and policies of the government. The MPs now love to discuss the problems of their constituencies. Parliamentary democracy calls for a better political culture.
TOLERANCE, a central tenet of democracy, is lacking in the ruling as well as opposition party in Bangladesh. The ruling Awami League could be more accommodative. The government virtually took no initiative to make parliament work with the participation of the opposition. Over the last 10 months the government suffered from quorum crisis in parliament. It is unthinkable for a ruling coalition enjoying 88 per cent majority in parliament. The way AL-led government repeated its earlier exercise with the cantonment residence of Khaleda Zia is difficult to understand. The matter could be left to the law court for a decision. It would make life easy for everyone. Without such exercise it would possibly be a much better parliament.
Will the political leaders in this land ever value political tolerance as a key principle of democracy? Will they ever learn to respect the views of those who differ?
Democracy requires not only political leaders but each and every citizen to practise political tolerance in their words and actions. In a democracy the citizens should treat each other as equals.
Mutual respect is essence of democracy. The right to differ is at the core of democracy. Democracy implies a plurality of views and dialogue is the means of resolving differences. Do the political leaders in this country value all this?
Political intolerance can only breed intolerance. It represents a threat to democracy. Intolerance creates a conformist culture and a closed society.
The leaders in this country needs to understand that. Politics involves competition. Parliament provides the forum for debate for resolving difference and easing tension.
But how is this possible that the opposition and often the ruling party members of parliament do not even bother to attend parliament?
How it is possible in parliamentary democracy? Does the electorate vote for this? Had Noor Hossain lived he would be shocked to see this.
The people are fed up with political culture. They expect their representatives to speak for them in parliament. They do not support parliament boycott over silly matters.
They want to see a lively parliament, with the two sides working together to solve national problems. They expect the ruling party to be tolerant to opposition criticism of actions and policies of the government. The MPs now love to discuss the problems of their constituencies. Parliamentary democracy calls for a better political culture.