It is incredibly shocking and disheartening that rampant instances of looting, vandalism, and violence, including killings, have taken place across Bangladesh following the resignation of Sheikh Hasina.
To witness such an epochal and defining moment in the history of our nation be marred by unruly mobs wreaking havoc is deeply unfortunate.
The entire point of the exercise we have seen, with the resignation of the PM and the takeover of an interim government, with support from the military, was to put an end to the bloodshed of the past few weeks. The country had descended into such ungovernability and division that this was the only workable way forward. As such, with the PM resigning, we should have expected to at least see a period of stability and security for everyone, one where law and order is re-established without delay.
While it is understandable that the prevailing mood amongst the masses would be one of defiance, and there is a lot of anger against the outgoing government for riding roughshod over the people's rights and freedoms, there is no excuse for the violence and vandalism that we are seeing now. Those engaging in acts such as arson and rampant looting are clearly stepping far beyond the line of what is considered acceptable expression of dissent or civil disobedience.Nor is setting fire to the houses and offices of political opponents much less assaulting and killing them, at all justifiable.
The entire point of the exercise we have seen, with the resignation of the PM and the takeover of an interim government, with support from the military, was to put an end to the bloodshed of the past few weeks. The country had descended into such ungovernability and division that this was the only workable way forward. As such, with the PM resigning, we should have expected to at least see a period of stability and security for everyone, one where law and order is re-established without delay.
While it is understandable that the prevailing mood amongst the masses would be one of defiance, and there is a lot of anger against the outgoing government for riding roughshod over the people's rights and freedoms, there is no excuse for the violence and vandalism that we are seeing now. Those engaging in acts such as arson and rampant looting are clearly stepping far beyond the line of what is considered acceptable expression of dissent or civil disobedience.Nor is setting fire to the houses and offices of political opponents much less assaulting and killing them, at all justifiable.
These have to stop. There can be no tolerance for such acts. The restoration of law and order and the protection of the people and their property needs to be job number one for the current administration and its backers. The order of the day must be to provide security for everyone.
These are febrile and fearful times. But we cannot countenance a country where one's erstwhile political opponents are fair targets once the tables have turned. Bangladeshis are better than that and no one should have to live in fear.
Even more worrisome are the reports of minority communities coming under attack in various parts of Bangladesh. They must be protected.
Even more worrisome are the reports of minority communities coming under attack in various parts of Bangladesh. They must be protected.
In a word, it is the job of the armed forces to provide this protection and ensure that things do not go out of control any further. That surely is the whole point of their involvement in national affairs at this level.
We are hoping that today will bring the peace and stability that the Bangladeshi people have been waiting for.