In November 1932, American vaudeville performer, actor, and humorous social commentator Will Rogers published a landmark remark in his widely-syndicated newspaper column. Though he penned in the context of contemporary American society, it has become relevant in the context of present-day Bangladesh and many parts of the world.
The famous quote reads: “Everything is changing in America. People are taking their comedians seriously and their politicians as a joke, when it used to be vice-versa.”
In 1976, several US newspapers reprinted the message deleting the phrase “in America.” In present days, how our politicians are seen making comments is enough to prove Will Rogers correct and to make us frightened about our future as a nation.
Along the continuum, doing politics for the cause of the people has been replaced by personal interest, resulting in talented and dedicated politicians outnumbered by opportunists who hardly think of the common people, of society, or even of the country.
We have a glorious political history which is a matter to be really proud of. Our struggle for emancipation for the long 24 years, handling several critical phases politically during the Pakistani martial law regime, making an illiterate nation aware of their rights through different political programs, preparing them for the ultimate fight, and finally our glorious Liberation War -- all of these remind us of the high aptitude of our political leaders of the time.
At that time, people were eagerly waiting to listen to political leaders to understand the situation and set their targets. The famous March 7 speech of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman reminds us of the golden period of politics and politicians.
It is true that some people still listen to politicians -- but for entertainment and not for acquiring political wisdom. Politicians, except a few, are also committed to meeting “public demands,” come hell or high water. In recent incidents, the mockery of some influential ministers regarding inflation and sky-rocketing commodity prices is an example.
Rising inflation has been striking a nerve with people, especially from the lower- and middle-income in recent months, and the apathy or failure of the authorities concerned to stabilize markets has touched everyone's raw nerve.
Yet, the authorities speaking of ethics and morality of businessmen and justifying unscrupulous traders is now seen just as comedy by the masses -- and also indicates that our politicians live in ivory towers.
Along the continuum, our politics has actually become the last resort of scoundrels and criminals. Consequently, our politics and political statements still revolve around past incidents and our politicians take lying very close to the arts.
Thus, the most anticipated and common political practice -- forming public opinions regarding any public issue and waging strong movements -- is absent in our political arena. Muscle power, instead of individuals' political wisdom and popularity, has become the determinant of election.
It would not be an exaggeration to say that the increasing number of such repeated false statements by politicians is not something spoken of at the moment. This indeed is their faculty, which has been proven many times through their inability to analyze critical situations and act accordingly.
For example, there is no denying that Bangladesh has made tremendous progress in recent years. Yet, how these people compared our country to some global superpowers and delivered speeches attacking them (completely forgetting our capacity to absorb global economic and political pressures) substantiates the stated facts.
In addition, on many occasions, our policymakers failed to read between the lines, especially in foreign affairs, and the nation had to pay for it.
America's new visa restriction policy is a matter to be ashamed of, considering the list of the countries given such restrictions earlier. At the same time, it is alarming; our politicians are expressing joy over it without analyzing its consequences.
Our political leaders on all sides have considered it as their success, or at least once again trying to make people fools. Their reactions are enough to assume that they are taking the issue very lightly -- as if the US intends to ensure a free, fair, and credible election in Bangladesh.
It is our failure as well as a shame that despite fighting and sacrificing lives for the establishment of people's voting rights, we as a nation did not institutionalize politics -- even though we celebrated the Golden Jubilee of our independence a couple of years ago.
It has left a political vacuum where many irregularities and an overall bad culture infiltrate and perpetuate. 50 years is not a short time indeed to do this job.
However, as a nation, we are unfortunate that after this long, other countries are advising us about how to hold a free, fair, and inclusive election. But regrettably, people have little room to speak of foreign interference considering our present democratic practice.
We should rather question our politicians: Why do others have to take strict policies for a credible election in our country?
Md Joynul Abedin is a journalist.
