True test of the Bangladeshi ideal

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IT appears our political leaders will never behave responsibly. When they are in opposition, their stand is different. It is sad that they are not prepared to understand the hard realities of the prevailing situation. The parliament has lost many days which could have been used by the opposition. The common people certainly do not want 'war'. That is understood.
But, it is the leaders of the country who finally determine policy, and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a family-based dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All we have to do is to tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.
The true test of the Bangladeshi ideal is whether we are able to recognise our failings and then rise together to meet the challenges of our time and whether we allow ourselves to be shaped by events and history, or whether we act to shape them.

Gopal Sengupta
Canada
gopalsengupta@aol.com