I shouldn’t have to break this to you, but “what we’ve got here”... is a situation gone to the dogs. Oh yes, it’s obviously been said before. It’s not that different from what’s being said right now. All the lying and the blaming, all that disappearing, that’s what it all says all the time. It’s distasteful and it is decidedly unworthy. But we shouldn’t have to bother about it.
Not all of us. Not all of the time. Clearly reason will not be the deciding factor in resolving the crisis here. That, by the way, would dictate an election acceptable to all as the best way out of a volley of tricky options. It is notable that the tactical maneuvering of each party to the conflict is being carried out on the basis of “popular support.”
These claims are mostly baseless, or at least not credible most of the time. We all know it’s actually been seven years now since we’ve had a chance to have our say and settle a debate, be it temporarily. It’s too long, and it’s feeding the tendency, indeed allowing our politicians, to claim the moral high ground afforded by citing “public support” for their actions, the belief that the people are behind them, even as the ground beneath their feet is sinking. It needs an election; that tells everyone the score. To say nothing of the farce that was January 5, 2014.
But let’s rein in our imaginations, contain those creative juices, and settle on the reality, where reason is shunned. You would think it’s almost taboo. Or there is some form of it running riot, but it only feeds the frenzy, it’s not the kind you identify with.
It rationalises the killing in full public view of a writer, or advocates the view that Kamal Hossain is a traitor. It’s difficult to want to have anything to do with that kind of thinking. Still, I know there are those who must bite the dirt and engage, out of obligation or conscience.
Those on the political beat, rights groups, etc. Poets and dreamers. Although I’m not sure too many aesthetes. They must find this all particularly abhorrent, what with all the blood, the sand. In order to relieve those senses, and spare reason its fated manhandling, it is eminently advisable to take our minds off it all for a period.
This may come across as insensitive or insulting to the suffering of thousands, the murder of innocents. Yet it’s all you’re left with, to keep your head above these waters, they’re so murky and treacherous. Besides, they won’t let you make a difference.
The results from the Pew Research Centre’s survey on global attitudes are telling. They found Bangladeshis report the highest participation in politics, across 33 nations surveyed. From the report’s executive summary: “While about two-thirds of Bangladeshis (65%) report higher levels of participation, other Asian publics are less apt to participate. Pakistan (12%) is home to the lowest level of political engagement among the 30 countries included in the index. Indonesia (20%), the Philippines (21%) and Malaysia (26%) also have relatively low participation rates.”
Unfortunately, for such high levels of interest, we were found to be dreadfully wanting in terms of our political efficacy, with 69% of those surveyed stating they don’t believe the government care about what they think, despite all their engagement.
These numbers make sense to me. They radiate a certain reality. They also veer dangerously close to reason. Before we tip over, I’d say catch the raindrop before it’s fallen. “Disengage” is the calling.
I’ve found this pretty straightforward to be honest, certainly since the World Cup started, and despite all the vulgarity that’s invaded cricket recently. Much more enriching for the soul to dwell on the shape of Southee’s swing (or Starc’s for that matter), the balance at the crease of Amla, or the extravagance of Sangakkara.
Avijit Roy’s murder came as a rude shock mostly, another sickening chapter that forced the hand quite literally. But calls for justice are really so rudimentary. It’s like being in a bad relationship. End of the day, one can always come back to it, if that cruel heart starts a-pining. There’s no new sun on the horizon. Just a pack of old dogs a-howling.