The downside of being a journalist is that the general population, (currently known as the “mango people” or aam janata) expects you to know all the answers to mind-boggling political knots.
I often come across the question: “Where is the country heading?” In fact, I have been hearing this line on and off for about eight years. Back in 2007, when the country was deadlocked in a political crisis over the holding of the then upcoming elections, the query into where the nation was headed appeared with gusto.
Well, reappeared should be the right term, because during the whole period of the autocratic regime (1982-1990), concerns about the country, mixed with apprehension and uncertainty, was staple conversation material for about eight years. Not a short period, I tell you. Though for a long time, the fears and opinions were rather hush hush, done behind the curtain.
To go back, the first few years after martial law was imposed in the early 80s, public reaction was rather muted. There was stunned silence everywhere. No one talked or protested in public. Democracy-related theories and rhetoric was limited, or better still, not dwelled upon with vigour.
That was a different Bangladesh, still struggling to find an identity plus voice amidst a decade of coups, assassinations, secret killings, layers of political skullduggery, and suppressed truths. Then, after a certain period, the movement to oust, what the masses believed to be the “usurper regime,” began.
At certain points, the crisis took the county to the precipice. Many of us still remember BDR moving on Elephant Road carrying automatic weapons pointed forward. Curfew was declared, yet the united movement remained undaunted.
The ultimate result is etched in our collective memory. The 90s mass upsurge can easily be called a precursor to the much-publicised Arab Spring civil revolution that shook the world a few years ago.
Unfortunately, we didn’t have Facebook then, otherwise, Bangladesh uniting to topple a regime could have been the example for others to follow.
The country was plunged into chaos once more in 2007, when the impasse and the seemingly insurmountable state of hopelessness in politics ended when a sudden, and rather unthinkable, twist of event led to a military-backed civilian administration.
Honestly speaking, no one expected such a radical episode like 1/11 in 2008. During the street clashes and anarchy, a lot of people asked me the question, but a credible answer always eluded me; and maybe almost all journalists.
Eight years later, there is another imbroglio facing us, and once again the key question about the country’s direction has emerged. Answers aren’t forthcoming! Must say, along with it comes countless theories, some incredulous, a few downright outlandish, and others laced with too many loose ends.
The other day, a vegetable vendor was giving me his views on the current state of affairs – in Bangladesh, deliberating on politics is embedded in the genes. “I understand that the government had to hold the elections as per the constitution,” he said, and added, “but I can’t comprehend why the provision for the caretaker system was struck off without a referendum involving the general people.”
Handing me a luscious-looking green cauliflower, he added: “Surely, things would not be such a mess if the election had taken place under a neutral system.” Did he have a point? You tell me.
Every day, there is a new turn of events with the latest being the snapping of power lines at the BNP chairman’s office. TV footage shows men with their faces covered with mufflers lurking about electric poles, evading the media. They came on a wintry night with large pliers ... at least we have a catchy media headline. How about: “They came, they saw, and they cut it”?
Several theories, some embellished, others curtailed, are circulating as to what happened near the power lines. Surely this whole event will not only inspire more tales, but also sustain the political deadlock?
The general people, by the way, are nowhere in the scene. In a state of bafflement, they carry on stopping journalists to ask the million dollar question.
As if the press men know everything! To be very frank, no one can say for certain where things are headed.
In the cinema halls, there is a new movie currently showing called Romeo vs Juliet, reportedly a flick about ego tussles with love thrown in. Call me facetious, but this film, running at a time when political power struggles have reached a mind-numbing situation, seems to be an apt celluloid metaphor.
But then, in movies, miracles happen and all snags are blown away. The vegetable vendor is also optimistic: “Don’t worry, this is Bangladesh, something will bring it back from the edge.”
What do I think? Please don’t ask me. To borrow the rage phrase of the moment: Je suis imbecile!