Our future and some random thoughts
Tuesday, 19 June 2007
M. Rafiqul Islam, NDC, PSC,
THE last political government departed about seven months ago and following a period of show of strength, confusion and uncertainty, the present caretaker government took over and is conducting the affairs of the state fairly well. This time, the caretaker government took over in tentative circumstances different from the earlier times and expectations ran high. The challenges were also grave and pressing. They took up the gauntlet in earnest and pressed ahead with some major initiatives like, anti-corruption drive, reforming the political system, shaking up the bureaucracy and encouraging the election commission to carry out reforms. This met with the approval of most of the common people who are simple, who do not expect a lot but are also prone to disappointment if their meagre hopes are not fulfilled. Their modest expectation is a viable political system which if not totally honest and effective, should at least be reasonably so and our elected representatives should be able to earn our respect. Is this asking too much?
As of today, uncertainty remains about what will happen after the political government takes over? This time will the road ahead be more promising? Are the people going to hold their leaders accountable? Will there be stability and progress? There are many questions and many more problems but if one was to single out the biggest problem or evil, it would definitely be corruption. Corruption is infectious and like a virus, it infects the very root of our social fabric and threatens our very existence and well-being. Corruption in countries like ours is reluctantly accepted as part of the system, something that cannot be denied, only tolerated but what is really disturbing is that it is so rampant and extensive permeating into the very fabric of our society. I consider myself an optimist, I expect things to get better but I am nonetheless deeply concerned; many others are downright worried. The recent revelations in the press are startling. Virtually no service can be received or given without gratification. One has to bribe to get a loan from the bank, to get connection for gas, water and electricity, the same to get a job or to admit one's children to a good school. Even BCS examinations were not free from unsavoury allegations. The newspapers are revealing new cases everyday. One wonders if we are the same people who fought against exploitation and sacrificed so much. Did our founding fathers and 'shaheeds' of the glorious war of liberation ever foresee that that their sacrifices would lead to this? Our heads should bow down in shame. Everyday, newspapers carry stories of corruption. The individuals being exposed are the elite and the powerful in our society, public service and in the political arena. Given this scenario, how can we trust our leaders? If not them, whom do we trust? How can we even trust the political system in which corruption has been elevated to an entirely different level as if to give it respectability? Can we ever expect to elect good, honest, competent men and women of principle as members of parliament? Will they be worthy of our trust and be able to guide the destiny of this poor country? Will honest and competent people, if there be any, ever feel encouraged to run for parliament?
In recent months, there has been much talk about election reforms, voter ID cards, limiting election expenditures, declaration of source of funds and so on. These are pre-election checks to ensure a smooth election process. But will it encourage honest, patriotic and competent people to contest elections? What will happen after elections are over? How do we hold them accountable and make them responsible? The performance of the last two parliaments does not suggest that the House was very effective in this regard.
The common people in Bangladesh believe in democracy but cannot enjoy the benefits. We believe in honesty but we do not choose leaders who are honest. What a paradox? The exposures in the press should compel us to reflect on the quality of our leaders that we have chosen. We are part of the problem and we must also be part of the solution. The election process is okay but the election environment at all levels has been compromised by the amount of money that changes hands. Election has become big business. Even losing is profitable. The people in general are simple people who have lost faith in the system and allow themselves to be exploited so that they can make some easy money. Many consider this an opportunity that comes once every five years and they must make the best of it.
How and why have we come to such a state? Who are to be blamed? The voters or the vote seekers! This is a question that we must not only ask ourselves and also answer with honesty. The small minority who go by their conscience are unable to make any difference. Those who come through the system victorious often do not show the loyalty and commitment that is expected from them and often conveniently renegade on their promises. In the post-election scenario, the people are at their mercy and favours are doled out at their whims with, of course, some exceptions. The first priority of most of our esteemed representatives is to recover their cost; a more appropriate term would be investment. Perfectly reasonable if this was business. But is that what they consider it? What about the promises? Come next election and new candidates, the same story is repeated. The outlook and the situation do not change after the elections. It is party and individual loyalty that decides issues. Share of development and projects funds are doled out to cronies and favoured ones. While there is a lack of quorum in the parliament, our representatives and leaders are busy elsewhere. They are Chairman of governing bodies of school and college they control the VGF, relief and development funds and these possibly merit more attention than attending sessions of parliament. Given this scenario, is there hope? Who is to be blamed and what can we do about it?
Some organisations and individuals are trying to educate the people in various ways but the effort is limited relative to the population. The local elites are too political to be effective. The majority of the electorate is in the rural areas -- simple, semi-educated people who are gullible enough to believe the tall promises of better days to come. They are the majority of the electorate and it is to them, the effort should be directed. There is also talk about a movement to raise awareness and to motivate people to elect honest and competent people to positions of responsibility. This cannot be done if the political parties do not choose such people to represent them. The recent expose in the press and what the Anti Corruption Commission is exposing is a poor reflection of the kind of people the parties choose as their representatives. The critics and keepers of the national conscience should go beyond seminars and articles to create awareness among the electorate and also urge political parties to nominate the right people. Actions should speak louder than words. The party approach to elections must be reflected in the quality of their nominations.
Democracy is enshrined in our constitution but we are all paying only lip service to it! Some critics say that if there is no democracy within the parties, how can they propagate democracy for the country? We preach something and practise something else. I am tempted to ask our political leaders whether we truly and sincerely want democracy to flourish or we just want to take advantage and manipulate it. If democracy is our future, then it is too valuable to be given up for manipulation. To make it work would require collective effort but the responsibility would essentially remain with the political parties. The system is never corrupt as some may opine but the people who manipulate the system are. It is us who put them there. It is time to stand up for our rights and make a difference at the ballot box and our future. Voting is not an option, it is our sacred trust and the only way an ordinary citizen can make his opinion count. A silent protest by not voting does not count and is worth nothing.
Democracy is a choice available to every nation and to take advantage of it, we must be willing and ready for it. Are we? Do we believe in Abraham Lincoln's definition of it? More important, do our leaders believe? Whatever we believe, there is no denying that voting is our right and educating the masses to exercise this right is our moral responsibility, especially those who are the more enlightened and privileged members of the society.
There is effort, the response is encouraging and this needs to be reinforced. There is nothing worse than a corrupt lawmaker to the country's image and the only forum to choose or reject a candidate is through the ballot box. We must exercise our right wisely for the sake of our future and posterity. It is for every individual to decide what we want Bangladesh to be and migrating to another land of opportunity and promise is not an option, neither is abstaining from voting. Support or protest; accept or reject must be done at the ballot box. Problems are many but they are not insurmountable.
I am an incorrigible optimist and I am confident that Bangladesh is not going to be what Henry Kissinger said or anybody else says; it must and will be what we Bangladeshis want it to be. Be proud to be a Bangladeshi and decide your future by your choice.
As an afterthought, if the caretaker government can deliver on their promises, what do we need elections for?
The writer is a former Chief of Bangladesh Air Force and a former Managing Director of Bangladesh Biman
THE last political government departed about seven months ago and following a period of show of strength, confusion and uncertainty, the present caretaker government took over and is conducting the affairs of the state fairly well. This time, the caretaker government took over in tentative circumstances different from the earlier times and expectations ran high. The challenges were also grave and pressing. They took up the gauntlet in earnest and pressed ahead with some major initiatives like, anti-corruption drive, reforming the political system, shaking up the bureaucracy and encouraging the election commission to carry out reforms. This met with the approval of most of the common people who are simple, who do not expect a lot but are also prone to disappointment if their meagre hopes are not fulfilled. Their modest expectation is a viable political system which if not totally honest and effective, should at least be reasonably so and our elected representatives should be able to earn our respect. Is this asking too much?
As of today, uncertainty remains about what will happen after the political government takes over? This time will the road ahead be more promising? Are the people going to hold their leaders accountable? Will there be stability and progress? There are many questions and many more problems but if one was to single out the biggest problem or evil, it would definitely be corruption. Corruption is infectious and like a virus, it infects the very root of our social fabric and threatens our very existence and well-being. Corruption in countries like ours is reluctantly accepted as part of the system, something that cannot be denied, only tolerated but what is really disturbing is that it is so rampant and extensive permeating into the very fabric of our society. I consider myself an optimist, I expect things to get better but I am nonetheless deeply concerned; many others are downright worried. The recent revelations in the press are startling. Virtually no service can be received or given without gratification. One has to bribe to get a loan from the bank, to get connection for gas, water and electricity, the same to get a job or to admit one's children to a good school. Even BCS examinations were not free from unsavoury allegations. The newspapers are revealing new cases everyday. One wonders if we are the same people who fought against exploitation and sacrificed so much. Did our founding fathers and 'shaheeds' of the glorious war of liberation ever foresee that that their sacrifices would lead to this? Our heads should bow down in shame. Everyday, newspapers carry stories of corruption. The individuals being exposed are the elite and the powerful in our society, public service and in the political arena. Given this scenario, how can we trust our leaders? If not them, whom do we trust? How can we even trust the political system in which corruption has been elevated to an entirely different level as if to give it respectability? Can we ever expect to elect good, honest, competent men and women of principle as members of parliament? Will they be worthy of our trust and be able to guide the destiny of this poor country? Will honest and competent people, if there be any, ever feel encouraged to run for parliament?
In recent months, there has been much talk about election reforms, voter ID cards, limiting election expenditures, declaration of source of funds and so on. These are pre-election checks to ensure a smooth election process. But will it encourage honest, patriotic and competent people to contest elections? What will happen after elections are over? How do we hold them accountable and make them responsible? The performance of the last two parliaments does not suggest that the House was very effective in this regard.
The common people in Bangladesh believe in democracy but cannot enjoy the benefits. We believe in honesty but we do not choose leaders who are honest. What a paradox? The exposures in the press should compel us to reflect on the quality of our leaders that we have chosen. We are part of the problem and we must also be part of the solution. The election process is okay but the election environment at all levels has been compromised by the amount of money that changes hands. Election has become big business. Even losing is profitable. The people in general are simple people who have lost faith in the system and allow themselves to be exploited so that they can make some easy money. Many consider this an opportunity that comes once every five years and they must make the best of it.
How and why have we come to such a state? Who are to be blamed? The voters or the vote seekers! This is a question that we must not only ask ourselves and also answer with honesty. The small minority who go by their conscience are unable to make any difference. Those who come through the system victorious often do not show the loyalty and commitment that is expected from them and often conveniently renegade on their promises. In the post-election scenario, the people are at their mercy and favours are doled out at their whims with, of course, some exceptions. The first priority of most of our esteemed representatives is to recover their cost; a more appropriate term would be investment. Perfectly reasonable if this was business. But is that what they consider it? What about the promises? Come next election and new candidates, the same story is repeated. The outlook and the situation do not change after the elections. It is party and individual loyalty that decides issues. Share of development and projects funds are doled out to cronies and favoured ones. While there is a lack of quorum in the parliament, our representatives and leaders are busy elsewhere. They are Chairman of governing bodies of school and college they control the VGF, relief and development funds and these possibly merit more attention than attending sessions of parliament. Given this scenario, is there hope? Who is to be blamed and what can we do about it?
Some organisations and individuals are trying to educate the people in various ways but the effort is limited relative to the population. The local elites are too political to be effective. The majority of the electorate is in the rural areas -- simple, semi-educated people who are gullible enough to believe the tall promises of better days to come. They are the majority of the electorate and it is to them, the effort should be directed. There is also talk about a movement to raise awareness and to motivate people to elect honest and competent people to positions of responsibility. This cannot be done if the political parties do not choose such people to represent them. The recent expose in the press and what the Anti Corruption Commission is exposing is a poor reflection of the kind of people the parties choose as their representatives. The critics and keepers of the national conscience should go beyond seminars and articles to create awareness among the electorate and also urge political parties to nominate the right people. Actions should speak louder than words. The party approach to elections must be reflected in the quality of their nominations.
Democracy is enshrined in our constitution but we are all paying only lip service to it! Some critics say that if there is no democracy within the parties, how can they propagate democracy for the country? We preach something and practise something else. I am tempted to ask our political leaders whether we truly and sincerely want democracy to flourish or we just want to take advantage and manipulate it. If democracy is our future, then it is too valuable to be given up for manipulation. To make it work would require collective effort but the responsibility would essentially remain with the political parties. The system is never corrupt as some may opine but the people who manipulate the system are. It is us who put them there. It is time to stand up for our rights and make a difference at the ballot box and our future. Voting is not an option, it is our sacred trust and the only way an ordinary citizen can make his opinion count. A silent protest by not voting does not count and is worth nothing.
Democracy is a choice available to every nation and to take advantage of it, we must be willing and ready for it. Are we? Do we believe in Abraham Lincoln's definition of it? More important, do our leaders believe? Whatever we believe, there is no denying that voting is our right and educating the masses to exercise this right is our moral responsibility, especially those who are the more enlightened and privileged members of the society.
There is effort, the response is encouraging and this needs to be reinforced. There is nothing worse than a corrupt lawmaker to the country's image and the only forum to choose or reject a candidate is through the ballot box. We must exercise our right wisely for the sake of our future and posterity. It is for every individual to decide what we want Bangladesh to be and migrating to another land of opportunity and promise is not an option, neither is abstaining from voting. Support or protest; accept or reject must be done at the ballot box. Problems are many but they are not insurmountable.
I am an incorrigible optimist and I am confident that Bangladesh is not going to be what Henry Kissinger said or anybody else says; it must and will be what we Bangladeshis want it to be. Be proud to be a Bangladeshi and decide your future by your choice.
As an afterthought, if the caretaker government can deliver on their promises, what do we need elections for?
The writer is a former Chief of Bangladesh Air Force and a former Managing Director of Bangladesh Biman