Time to call a spade a spade
Wednesday, 19 May 2010
Shamsher Chowdhury
WHY do we continue to be a nation plunged into chaos, poverty and all forms of injustices? Governments after governments have come and gone promising us the world. Yet by the time a government leaves its office we are no better, in fact we find us in a worse condition.
Alongside our rulers, we too are to blame. All governments since independence have misled us in more ways than one. If we may say so, it is a saga of collective failures with the politicians and the so-called intellectuals leading the way. We are certain when a special force was raised the people at large knew then as they do now that this was a move in the wrong direction and yet they chose to be silent, then came the era of one-party rule. We recall those stressful days when government officials to civil society members had to register as members of that of ‘one-party’ as a mark of their allegiance to it. It was like the Pied Piper of Hamelin playing his magical flute and the children of Hamelin following him into the sea. We wonder as to why the successive governments and the people failed to take any lesson from the mistakes made in the past, being silent over such dictatorial measures as though it was sacrilegious even talking about it far from raising voices of dissent. We believe it was then that the foundation was laid for the autocrats/dictators to embark on their heinous designs. In came the military rulers and then came the so-called champions of democracy. They too turned out to be no less autocratic in nature compared to their predecessors. The current administration too is continuing with the legacy of deceiving the people with empty slogans and false promises. Its party cadres, just like the others with varying degrees, are engaged in corruption of all dimensions, material, moral and ethical. The present-day rulers say it was the others before them who had destroyed our economy and freedom. True as it may be, my question is: is the incumbent government moving in the right direction? We have our doubts. In the meantime, matters continue to get worse, once again, as the voices of dissent are being silenced through coercive tactics of the administration. As a result, our sufferings continue to rise and we continue to be in a state of disillusionment. Things have come to such a pass, also due to the failings of our politicians and a section of our so-called intellectuals. They too are guilty of facilitating and paving the way for dictators to step into the arena of our civil administration, how hard they may endeavour to put the blame on the shoulders of others notwithstanding. Just like in Pakistan, had there been no Zardaris, the Bhuttos and their likes its army would think twice before snatching the reins of administration from a democratically elected government. The scenario here may be somewhat better but does have strong similarities. The story here is one of secret entente and underhand dealings between the dictatorial forces and the so- called champions and defenders of democracy.
This writer is not a political analyst but he fails to understand as to why people of a country who fought one of the most glorious wars of liberation in recent history of the world stand by and watch injustices perpetrated on them. We continue to be hostages at the hands of our rulers. They talk of eradicating corruption and yet it is they who directly or indirectly help set the stage for rise and spread of corruption. They talk of a crusade against the terrorists and terror acts in all its manifestations and yet continue to shelter and protect the goons. Look at what a hell the cadres of the ruling party have let loose.
We are sick and tired of so much talk about democracy and yet one comes across its principles being trampled under the feet of the country’s rulers, the rich and the affluent.
Indeed we, the people, must embark on a campaign of serious soul-searching and salvage our pride as a nation, whatever is left of it. Let us vouch to be truthful, no matter how bitter and painful it might be. Let us condemn any form of hypocrisy. Let us resist and condemn any dictatorial moves by any quarters, no matter what. Let us put a stop to this blame game that our politicians indulge in. These people have made fools of us for far too long. We, the people, simply must not allow ourselves to be sucked in by their false promises. After all, the country belongs to us, the people. If we remain steadfast and resolute, such rulers and politicians are bound to listen to us. Let us unite and tell these people in authority that they are accountable to us and none else.
Except for the rich and the affluent the majority of the nation’s population are leading their lives in extreme stress and bewilderment. While the rich and affluent are travelling abroad or some tourist spots within the country every now and then millions pass sleepless nights planning and working out ways and means for an honest living. How absurd and ironic it is that at a time like this the government has most graciously procured duty-free cars for its lawmakers.
This is perhaps one of the rare countries where a major section of the diplomatic community virtually work as consultants for the country’s administration. Politicians too measure their popularity and standing in the society based on their support and linkages with the diplomatic community in general.
We may be poor, but we need not behave poorly. We have a legacy of culture and heritage far superior to many of the developing countries. We did not occupy some one else’s land to proclaim our independence by driving out some poor settlers who lived in the land from time immemorial. We have never been a colonialist of any kind.
.............................................
The writer can be reached at e-mail : HYPERLINK “mailto:chowdhury.shamsher@yahoo.com” chowdhury.shamsher@yahoo.com
WHY do we continue to be a nation plunged into chaos, poverty and all forms of injustices? Governments after governments have come and gone promising us the world. Yet by the time a government leaves its office we are no better, in fact we find us in a worse condition.
Alongside our rulers, we too are to blame. All governments since independence have misled us in more ways than one. If we may say so, it is a saga of collective failures with the politicians and the so-called intellectuals leading the way. We are certain when a special force was raised the people at large knew then as they do now that this was a move in the wrong direction and yet they chose to be silent, then came the era of one-party rule. We recall those stressful days when government officials to civil society members had to register as members of that of ‘one-party’ as a mark of their allegiance to it. It was like the Pied Piper of Hamelin playing his magical flute and the children of Hamelin following him into the sea. We wonder as to why the successive governments and the people failed to take any lesson from the mistakes made in the past, being silent over such dictatorial measures as though it was sacrilegious even talking about it far from raising voices of dissent. We believe it was then that the foundation was laid for the autocrats/dictators to embark on their heinous designs. In came the military rulers and then came the so-called champions of democracy. They too turned out to be no less autocratic in nature compared to their predecessors. The current administration too is continuing with the legacy of deceiving the people with empty slogans and false promises. Its party cadres, just like the others with varying degrees, are engaged in corruption of all dimensions, material, moral and ethical. The present-day rulers say it was the others before them who had destroyed our economy and freedom. True as it may be, my question is: is the incumbent government moving in the right direction? We have our doubts. In the meantime, matters continue to get worse, once again, as the voices of dissent are being silenced through coercive tactics of the administration. As a result, our sufferings continue to rise and we continue to be in a state of disillusionment. Things have come to such a pass, also due to the failings of our politicians and a section of our so-called intellectuals. They too are guilty of facilitating and paving the way for dictators to step into the arena of our civil administration, how hard they may endeavour to put the blame on the shoulders of others notwithstanding. Just like in Pakistan, had there been no Zardaris, the Bhuttos and their likes its army would think twice before snatching the reins of administration from a democratically elected government. The scenario here may be somewhat better but does have strong similarities. The story here is one of secret entente and underhand dealings between the dictatorial forces and the so- called champions and defenders of democracy.
This writer is not a political analyst but he fails to understand as to why people of a country who fought one of the most glorious wars of liberation in recent history of the world stand by and watch injustices perpetrated on them. We continue to be hostages at the hands of our rulers. They talk of eradicating corruption and yet it is they who directly or indirectly help set the stage for rise and spread of corruption. They talk of a crusade against the terrorists and terror acts in all its manifestations and yet continue to shelter and protect the goons. Look at what a hell the cadres of the ruling party have let loose.
We are sick and tired of so much talk about democracy and yet one comes across its principles being trampled under the feet of the country’s rulers, the rich and the affluent.
Indeed we, the people, must embark on a campaign of serious soul-searching and salvage our pride as a nation, whatever is left of it. Let us vouch to be truthful, no matter how bitter and painful it might be. Let us condemn any form of hypocrisy. Let us resist and condemn any dictatorial moves by any quarters, no matter what. Let us put a stop to this blame game that our politicians indulge in. These people have made fools of us for far too long. We, the people, simply must not allow ourselves to be sucked in by their false promises. After all, the country belongs to us, the people. If we remain steadfast and resolute, such rulers and politicians are bound to listen to us. Let us unite and tell these people in authority that they are accountable to us and none else.
Except for the rich and the affluent the majority of the nation’s population are leading their lives in extreme stress and bewilderment. While the rich and affluent are travelling abroad or some tourist spots within the country every now and then millions pass sleepless nights planning and working out ways and means for an honest living. How absurd and ironic it is that at a time like this the government has most graciously procured duty-free cars for its lawmakers.
This is perhaps one of the rare countries where a major section of the diplomatic community virtually work as consultants for the country’s administration. Politicians too measure their popularity and standing in the society based on their support and linkages with the diplomatic community in general.
We may be poor, but we need not behave poorly. We have a legacy of culture and heritage far superior to many of the developing countries. We did not occupy some one else’s land to proclaim our independence by driving out some poor settlers who lived in the land from time immemorial. We have never been a colonialist of any kind.
.............................................
The writer can be reached at e-mail : HYPERLINK “mailto:chowdhury.shamsher@yahoo.com” chowdhury.shamsher@yahoo.com