The National Martyrs Memorial at Savar, 35 kilometres north-west of Dhaka was built in memory of those that died and suffered unimaginably for Bangladesh’s freedom. Everyone knows that.
What few are told is that the imposing edifice is more than just an architectural splendour; that great thought was given to the structure; that the seven pairs of walls neatly lined up symbolizes seven key events of the journey to achieving independence.
On March 26, there will be throngs of individuals and groups lining up to pay their respects with emotions stirring high. What has always been missing is understanding the relevance of those seven seminal events. In an ideal world, these should have been singularly observed. Instead, narrowness of political and social insight have failed us.
The Language Movement of 1952 and the War of Liberation has made its place in the national discourse. Glossed over are the other five: The provincial election victory of the United Front in 1954, the Constitution Movement in 1956, the movement against the Education Commission in 1962, Six-point Movement of 1966, and the mass uprising of 1969.
In all of the 54 years that have passed these hallmark events have never been given the importance, whether it be by political parties or the social psyche. The child born in this independent country was subjected to historical narratives that failed to separate the wheat from the chaff. That, in turn has crated the almost senior citizens of today and as is won’t with grapevine discourse, embellished the fact with unwanted fat imposed on the next generations.
Aspiration for independence with all elements of patriotic brim and fire has to be tempered and presupposed by systems, processes, and importantly its communication in society. The latter is a longer assimilative journey that was either not followed through or allowed to run its course. Any armed struggle is followed by a period of chaos that requires political savvy and great sacrifice.
In Bangladesh’s case the cause wasn’t helped by an inexplicable change of attitude from parties that were so instrumental in our gaining statehood. Independence suddenly got caught between the geo-political issues of the time that brought about forced changes to some of the basic tenets on which our liberation was founded. Mistakes are natural when a nation unused to governing itself goes through teething woes -- and there were plenty post achieving statehood.
Equality, human dignity, and social justice the three eschewed values of the proclamation of independence have become casualties of different dictates. Socialism as was then known has morphed to become almost unrecognizable. All encompassing capitalism led to market-economy thereby furthering rather than diminishing inequality. Human dignity is a torn scrap of paper that varies in definition depending on which angle it’s viewed from.
Today’s world is more about the might of majority views than all-embracing. Social justice is weighed down by a legal system devised colonially and never fully revamped. Social systems based on traditional values haven’t changed so as to reflect present day realities.
In the muddle of hubris in politics and self-seeking leadership the shadows of autocracy gained fast purchase and yet self-made systems riding bandwagons of corruption and nepotism has enabled these extraordinarily resilient people to achieve milestone after milestone of progress. Bangladesh today has all the elements of fulfilling the expectations of an emerging tiger in the world and not just economically.
Undoing the wrongs of 54 years won’t, can’t happen in a few months. For that to happen political foresight must take centre stage beyond the banal approaches of the past. For people to believe in themselves and the country changes, call them reforms or by any other name, must happen within systems and processes, within political parties and introduction of checks and balances for every institution so that politicization and cronyism can be rooted out.
The signs are ominous. The Bangladesh diaspora abroad are officially in the range of 7.5 million. The bulk of this population provides for the one single source of foreign exchange the country gets free from the shackles of punishing interest.
The worrying part is the 40% of labour force that wants to migrate or go abroad, given the chance. In his ambitions for the future. In 1971 jute exports, natural gas, and the 75 million citizens were the pivots for the future. Jute is essentially a dead horse, gas a commodity in short supply, and the people cannot find opportunities for extortion-free abodes and livelihood.
There are plenty of examples of societies giving way to the old in favour of newer ventures. Think-tanks and economists have been barking up unassailable walls arguing in similar fashion. They, along with intelligentsia too, have by choice or otherwise failed to maintain nationalistic verve in suggesting future direction.
Japan emerged from the ruins of World War II to become an economic powerhouse as did Germany. The latter by own violation or hard nudges swallowed humiliation and defeat to go to the extent of banning Adolph Hitler’s Nazi Party. Japan took a softer approach, moving away from full control of its emperor’s rule without doing away with it altogether.
In both cases it was an inclusive approach that paved the way to a better future. Both nations without declared nuclear options or aggressive armed forces have made their mark. Germany has built on its proud repository of engineering, industrialization, education, medical prowess, not to mention arts. Japan by its sheer determination of industrialisation and respect for its farming traditions. In case of later examples Vietnam stands out after a bruising war while South Korea stands proud in electronics and science.
Bangladesh has opportunities oozing from her seams. Inclusivity that can address social and religious bigotry and a decided emphasis on science and technology along with expanded social security nets and a hard-nosed approach to militancy, corruption has to be agreed on. Political parties must own up to their misdemeanours, rule of law must prevail. The path forward will be muddled for a while longer but in the end will prevail.
Mahmudur Rahman is a writer, columnist, broadcaster, and communications specialist.