Yesterday was a very important date in the 43-year-long history of Bangladesh. It was the day – in 1990 – that the shameless face of an autocrat was given the right amount of sandal slaps, as he was forced to abdicate his “throne,” if not his harem.
That was also the last time that people came out on the streets, out of their own accord, in the thousands if not more, to oust the regime in power.
The movement that brought about this ouster had the joint efforts of both our major political parties and the common Bangali of the streets, from the cities, from the paddy fields of the villages, or the itinerant who didn’t belong to either, who hoped for a country that will have democracy as its “ism” and that they will vote to power the party they felt would do them good.
Well, we have had some kind of democracy, and the people have been showing their right of choice by throwing the party in power out of it after one term only (with one much-disputed recent exception). I am the first person that will concede that this democracy, howsoever mocked by some, had a big role to play in our economy moving forward by leaps and bounds.
It would never have been possible under shameless two-faced dictators. The majority credit should still go to the farmers, the traders, the entrepreneurs, the industrial workers, and the migrant workers living in the nooks and crannies of the world, just to name but a few.
It should be a day when the two major parties stand side by side in pride of the achievement with the general masses, and embrace one another in memory of a past camaraderie that brought good to the country.
Yeah right! I am a damn fool of a dreamer is what I am. Even on the eve of that august date they are at each others’ throats.
Couldn’t they have congregated at the spot where Nur Hossain was killed? Or have paid respects at the grave of Dr Milon? Wouldn’t it have been a good day to build bridges or mend fences? Yeah, fat chance in hell! (Damn, I am running out of platitudes.)