The opposition should accept the reality that democracy, which is already in place, has brought back peace to this country and fulfilled the basic needs of BangladeshisHe also had a very negative image about Sheikh Hasina who, he believed, had “killed” democracy. I wondered where were the government officials responsible to deal with such misconception and spread of misinformation, along with ruling Awami League activists in London. I convinced him that there is no real democracy evident anywhere in the world, and one has to understand what democracy means in the respective countries. It is never the same anywhere. Bangladesh may follow a Westminster-style system, but we have to remember it took decades for the British system to set its own standards. We are following suit -- and one day, we will have the kind of democracy that suits Bangladesh, rather than an alien-like, enforced democracy. For most Bangladeshis, as I have understood over the years as a journalist, it is peace, affordable meals, and clothes to wear that matter the most. If that is so, then Sheikh Hasina has definitely provided those to the electorate as we have already witnessed unprecedented news on the country’s economic indicators. It is hard to find domestic aides these days, as they have employment opportunities, which assure more respect and heavier paychecks. Because the BNP and its allies have failed in every was possible way with almost everything during their rule between 2001 to 2006, they were booted out by the people -- people who are very informed about their basic rights as well as the role of the governing party. Back to the Guardian journalist, when I managed to convince him to visit Bangladesh, I prayed that the truth would come out, as they were not biased towards any party in Bangladesh. He and his junior returned after a week-long visit to churn out Sheikh Hasina’s interview in three parts, beside some development issues. No other Bangladeshi head of state or government got any similar coverage, ever. He was surprised how he misread the whole situation in Bangladesh and quoted Mahfuz Anam, The Daily Star’s editor, telling him “with grudging admiration for Hasina” we must admit that she “reached the peak of her power after a long personal and political struggle.” Now, he understands Bangladesh’s democracy, and was critical of the violence unleashed by the BNP-Jamaat alliance. Back to our country -- the BNP must understand that its main leader Tarique Rahman is no longer a favourite for the electorate, while his mother has failed repeatedly in politics. Thus, the opposition should accept the reality that democracy, which is already in place, has brought back peace to this country and fulfilled the basic needs of Bangladeshis. To that end, think big, think of peace, and work to achieve democracy.Nadeem Qadir is a UN Dag Hammarskjold Fellow in journalism.
Bangladesh has entered its election year -- with memories still alive and fresh of the mayhem unleashed by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party spearheaded by Khaleda Zia, surrounding the polls of 2014.
It has been all about democracy and fair elections. But one has to wonder what democracy means in Bangladesh, without comparisons with neighbouring India.
Of course, the other question is: What is fair election for this politically volatile South Asian country with a history of bloodshed to establish its mother tongue and to gain independence?
As we are about to face nationwide demonstrations again this year by the BNP, sporadic violence cannot be ruled out. BNP has been warning the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to heed to its demand of an “election-time” government, which Information Minister Hasanul Huq described to me as a “ghost government” aimed at destabilising the country.
Both national and international commentators have said if the 2014 elections were derailed in any way, the country would have been drenched with blood.
Sheikh Hasina understood and remained firm on the party’s decisions of the election date in 2014.
Let me tell you the mainstream British media’s view on the 2014 polls, which, of course, reflects the view of their government on this matter to an extent.
They too want an “inclusive election” for the sake of democracy. One very senior journalist of the Guardian newspaper, on our first introduction, had many complaints about the High Commission itself -- starting from unanswered phone calls to rude behaviour and the “lips shut policy” on the status of their visa applications.
This journalist had read news about the 2014 elections in Bangladesh, mostly influenced by the misinformation dished out by the BNP-Jamaat nexus in London.
