It was easy to write about the Asian Crisis of 1990s in Malaysia, Indonesia and South Korea because I was an outsider, living and working in ASEAN, and yet not really integrated with the local society. It is hard for me to write about Bangladesh because I can’t click “send” on the pieces I have written since March 2011. Over the years, we censored ourselves because of the draconian Digital Security Act however, my situation is more personal and peculiar.
I used rational expectations modelling for my senior year thesis. It is an economic theory that states that individuals make decisions based on the best available information in the market and learn from past trends. Assessing socio-economics and business inputs, isolating and analyzing key variables and forecasting likely outcome scenarios is part and parcel of how I make a living. The time length of most of the forecasting models I have made is 5 to10 years.
August 11, 2018 I opened a WhatsApp group called “Equal Voice” and wrote the following message:
“The purpose of this Equal Voice message board is to have transparent discussion, opinions and reflection.
You know far better than me what happened in the streets after the school students began the “safe road” campaign.
Let’s take a look at August 2006, and tell me if the same actions were taken by Khaleda Zia and BNP’s student leaders, would any of you say she is a great leader, and the actions are acceptable? Why are we using two different moral compasses or two different grading systems for BNP versus AL? A crime is a crime, even if it is committed by my parents, my best friend or a complete stranger.
I have concluded that Bangladesh is no longer a functioning democracy. I also believe being quite equates to showing agreement with the government’s action. Facebook posting is not sufficient to express ourselves. Not for us, because we have family members who support AL. At certain times, we have enthusiastically campaigned for AL candidates. I therefore sent the WhatsApp message and conveyed to my uncles they are part of a corrupt embarrassing regime.
I have written to them to use their own judgement and publicly step away from AL. The reason I wrote to them and now to all of you is very simple. I don’t want to ever think “I should’ve told my Mama.” I have to put this in a message as knowingly I can’t be blind to truth.
To each of them, I wrote: “We are uncle-niece but the truth and moral right always comes first for me. I hope my uncles make the decision which they never regret.”
The true test of any person’s integrity is not what he or she does or says when they are not in power (ie in opposition or the alternative party) but actually when they are in leadership positions and governing power.
One track order and loyalty without any question is how dictatorship, autocracy and the mafia operate
MPs and advisors to AL are accountable at the highest level as they are supposed to uphold democracy and the spirit of the Independence movement. But you and I are not absolved to just sit apathetic, idol and unconcerned. You and I are able minded adult people. We have a minimum social, civil and humane responsibility to clearly express our personal positions regarding the present government to our relevant social communities (ie the circle beyond family ties). “Apni chup kore chilen” may be the words you have to hear a few months or years later.
Children the same age as your grandkid or nephew, who don’t belong to political parties, just wanted to help make Dhaka’s roads safer, got severely beaten up and tortured. It is my sin, if I remain quiet. Cowards remain quiet. Gang members remain silent when the Mafia boss commits crimes. Trump supporters remain silent when Trump says racist words.
I am ready to be proven wrong. I don’t mind being wrong at all. Transparent discussion and debate mean getting opinions, perspectives and additional inputs, and changing your mind based on the collective discussion. Transparent discourse and participatory democracy don’t mean following one track orders regardless of time, manner, facts or circumstances. One track order and loyalty without any question is how dictatorship, autocracy and the mafia operate.
The world knows that Bangladesh’s Prime Minister demonstrated her dictatorial power by unleashing killing machines against the peaceful demonstrating students, and by standers of all ages. This led to an unprecedented nationwide support for the students and their demand. The autocratic leader resigned and fled the country.
Six years after I wrote the message, reality is at 100% accuracy.
The bravery, sacrifice, passion and patriotism of the students is unmatched, and I bow in amazement and gratitude as an audience to their courage.
Lubna Kabir has over 25 years of experience leading US and international projects in first line of defense risk management, integrated internal audit, strategy, and financial analysis.