“They did not listen, they did not know how
Perhaps they’ll listen now”
-- Dan McLean
Once in an eon opportunity affords itself for change that is more than just change but for the better. Change in the past was affected, sadly only for change and not for the better. Somewhere between desire and resolve it fell through the cracks as it seems to be in the current, here and now.
The magnificent ideals of equality, human dignity, and social justice that underpinned the proclamation of independence continue to be evasive. Broken down into so called manageable and comprehensive steps, collective political leadership were browbeaten into abject surrender to individual aspirations and self-seeking pressure groups.
Throughout the ages after each and every political, social, and nature driven setback people in general have looked around to sift through scraps and bits to rebuild their lives, indeed to find new platforms on which to do so.
Government after government has come up with only limited measures to address those three goals, shouted from the bulwarks about how they and not others have been people friendly and then using “resilient” to describe the spirit of the people.
Each time the social barricades tore and governments departed there were the long lists of corruption and wrongdoing that would in course of time either get lost in the judicial process or be pardoned in some way, form or size.
The three political entities that have essentially run the country since independence all had major stains against them, yet to date not a single case of major corruption has seen indictment. And every time the new opportunity arises past misdeeds are conveniently swept under the carpet with a clarion call to look ahead.
In between, the damage to the fabric remains untended to, whether in finance, education, health, law and order, judiciary, election process, and indeed, governance.
In essence, the much espoused democracy that is believed to be the better of other sins has created layer after layer of formal and other smaller power blocks that interfere with everything that is truly fair -- resulting in extortion, graft, and in short, depriving people of making an honest living.
The growing clamour is to hear upfront what it is they will do broken into unambiguous terms
Honesty no longer pays in a system riddled with fascism, large or small. The populace tries to make ends meet, forced to compromise with palm greasing from bottom to top. No wonder the bulk of the younger population would leave the country given the chance, even at the risk of their lives and whatever resources they can gather.
Decisions made by the few on behalf of the many benefit not insignificant coteries and the latest theme song about development smoothens the process of mega corruption that is to be funded by insensitive and irrational taxation on top of all the extortion.
The narrative of the latest opportunity for meaningful change, brought about initially by agitating students, the general public, and joined in by political groups, is cleverly being hijacked with even the fourth estate parroting rather than questioning such moves.
There’s clear division between the interim government, political parties and the anti-discriminatory student bodies as to how to proceed. That leaves the well-thinking groups and minorities tearing their hair in frustration.
The Awami League is silent and absent, hunkering down to let public ire simmer down. Bangladesh Nationalist Party is toeing the “election” line as being the best way to ensure reforms to be decided, justifiably by an elected parliament.
What they too are missing is that confidence in elections and parliament has hit rock-bottom. Rather the growing clamour is to hear upfront what it is they will do broken into unambiguous terms.
Nothing should prevent them or Jatiya Party from sending in signed documents about what steps they will take for reforms in all sectors along with check and balance mechanisms to ensure as much. Their plans for revamping the fabric of politics to rid the country of goons, muscle power, and black money power should be declared, publicized, and communicated down party rank and file so that even the less initiated can be clear of their objectives.
Theirs is the bigger responsibility as some among them will have to steer the nation with all the complexities of running a country internally and externally.
Mahmudur Rahman is a writer, columnist, broadcaster, and communications specialist.