Police are seen in front of the school in Comilla's Meghna upazila Mehedi Hasan/Dhaka Tribune
Mahmudur Rahman
Publish : 21 Nov 2021, 12:05 AMUpdate : 21 Nov 2021, 03:13 PM
It’s one thing to live a lie; it’s another to ignore the truth. In many ways, we’re caught in between. Like them or hate them, they’re all around us, all over us, manifestations of fiefdoms that threaten whatever space we have of our own.
Internationally, in-country, or locality-based, they have been allowed to grow with impunity, usually sending for a toss the law and order agencies. Then again, some do say that the law, too, is a fiefdom of sorts.
They too fall under the term “administration” existing supposedly to “serve” people and actually being “masters” over them. Their wings may be clipped, but what of the kingdoms ruled over by those that are elected to office?
The Union Parishad, heart of local body function and voted in by the electorate, has failed the faithful and hopeful. Critically, precedents have been set that cast dagger-like thrusts into the fabric of local body elections.
With only the ruling party and its faithful opposition presenting candidates, this should not have been. Directives warning against candidates not approved by the central body of the Awami League have been met with a form of contempt that is leaving many with red-faces.
Violence using lethal armaments has left at least 15 dead as opposing factions engage in unthinkable free-for-all against one another. There will be grouping in democracy but once a central body draws the stake in the sand, it is incumbent on all to rally, regroup, and work together -- not apart.
Matters have been worsened by some insensible comments of position aspirants ranging from saying he would provide Tk1 million if any of his workers died during campaigning, and families would be looked after thereof. There was another candidate threatening to use AK47s if votes went anywhere but towards the boat symbol.
Then again, we heard of how anyone not voting for the boat would be ostracized to the extent that there would be no burial ground available to them. It’s all unthinkable. The rebel candidates challenging centrally nominated aspirants weren’t happy. Not all could be accommodated but as always in democracy, that’s the way the cookie crumbles.
What has been exposed is fiefdoms built through fear, muscle power, brandishing arms, and spending money. The law and order agencies have looked the other way pretty much the way they do elsewhere. A citizen such as the late student Muniya’s sister had to wait hours before police accepted the case she filed over her sister’s natural death.
It took country-wide protests before reporter Rozina gained bail for the offence of stealing documents from the Health Ministry. And yet when files go missing from the same ministry, four government employees are sacked but not put under arrest.
Union Parishads are age-old administrative wings of local governments, installed to supervise development of rural areas, uphold the law and order situation with the administration, and be the people’s voice.
On the contrary, there appears to be collusion with wrong-doers, harbouring of unsavoury elements, and imposition of what is deemed good for the people.
Frustrated and disenchanted by silent economic distress, the electorate rebuild their hopes by returning to whatever vocation they have. Those that don’t wait for a miracle. They are mostly part of the unholy cohort of middle-men and transport mafia -- alleged drug peddlers and smugglers who hold people to ransom at their will and eat into the vitals of social norms and values.
Within days of reopening, universities have seen internecine clashes between ruling party cadres’ groups over staking their authority. Authority that is unwritten but known to be related to admission business, tender extortion, and dormitory allocation.
Vice Chancellors accused of giving in to such extortion and other misdeeds have either been allowed to complete their terms or not pulled up by the law.
Once again, the police are helpless to act. Student leagues could have made such a difference in helping out the lesser privileged through coaching, mentoring, and accommodation. Instead, they have reached a point where they are powerhouses among the powers that be in major national issues.
From a political aspect this is heading towards a point of no return. If the central body of a solid, grass-root level party such as the Awami League fails to live up to the people’s expectations in maintaining the peace, these fiefdoms could rebel further beyond each other. The matter could go beyond control.
There’s time and opportunity of unbraiding errant comment-making leaders -- ample scope to censure those advocating or supporting violence. Above all, nexuses that work against the people have to be dealt with firmly and with courage. There is a growing disenchantment with politics. Most educated students do not want to enter politics. It is an ominous sign.
Mahmudur Rahman is a writer, columnist, broadcaster, and communications specialist.
Fiefdoms of discontent
It’s one thing to live a lie; it’s another to ignore the truth. In many ways, we’re caught in between. Like them or hate them, they’re all around us, all over us, manifestations of fiefdoms that threaten whatever space we have of our own.
Internationally, in-country, or locality-based, they have been allowed to grow with impunity, usually sending for a toss the law and order agencies. Then again, some do say that the law, too, is a fiefdom of sorts.
They too fall under the term “administration” existing supposedly to “serve” people and actually being “masters” over them. Their wings may be clipped, but what of the kingdoms ruled over by those that are elected to office?
The Union Parishad, heart of local body function and voted in by the electorate, has failed the faithful and hopeful. Critically, precedents have been set that cast dagger-like thrusts into the fabric of local body elections.
With only the ruling party and its faithful opposition presenting candidates, this should not have been. Directives warning against candidates not approved by the central body of the Awami League have been met with a form of contempt that is leaving many with red-faces.
Violence using lethal armaments has left at least 15 dead as opposing factions engage in unthinkable free-for-all against one another. There will be grouping in democracy but once a central body draws the stake in the sand, it is incumbent on all to rally, regroup, and work together -- not apart.
Matters have been worsened by some insensible comments of position aspirants ranging from saying he would provide Tk1 million if any of his workers died during campaigning, and families would be looked after thereof. There was another candidate threatening to use AK47s if votes went anywhere but towards the boat symbol.
Then again, we heard of how anyone not voting for the boat would be ostracized to the extent that there would be no burial ground available to them. It’s all unthinkable. The rebel candidates challenging centrally nominated aspirants weren’t happy. Not all could be accommodated but as always in democracy, that’s the way the cookie crumbles.
What has been exposed is fiefdoms built through fear, muscle power, brandishing arms, and spending money. The law and order agencies have looked the other way pretty much the way they do elsewhere. A citizen such as the late student Muniya’s sister had to wait hours before police accepted the case she filed over her sister’s natural death.
It took country-wide protests before reporter Rozina gained bail for the offence of stealing documents from the Health Ministry. And yet when files go missing from the same ministry, four government employees are sacked but not put under arrest.
Union Parishads are age-old administrative wings of local governments, installed to supervise development of rural areas, uphold the law and order situation with the administration, and be the people’s voice.
On the contrary, there appears to be collusion with wrong-doers, harbouring of unsavoury elements, and imposition of what is deemed good for the people.
Frustrated and disenchanted by silent economic distress, the electorate rebuild their hopes by returning to whatever vocation they have. Those that don’t wait for a miracle. They are mostly part of the unholy cohort of middle-men and transport mafia -- alleged drug peddlers and smugglers who hold people to ransom at their will and eat into the vitals of social norms and values.
Within days of reopening, universities have seen internecine clashes between ruling party cadres’ groups over staking their authority. Authority that is unwritten but known to be related to admission business, tender extortion, and dormitory allocation.
Vice Chancellors accused of giving in to such extortion and other misdeeds have either been allowed to complete their terms or not pulled up by the law.
Once again, the police are helpless to act. Student leagues could have made such a difference in helping out the lesser privileged through coaching, mentoring, and accommodation. Instead, they have reached a point where they are powerhouses among the powers that be in major national issues.
From a political aspect this is heading towards a point of no return. If the central body of a solid, grass-root level party such as the Awami League fails to live up to the people’s expectations in maintaining the peace, these fiefdoms could rebel further beyond each other. The matter could go beyond control.
There’s time and opportunity of unbraiding errant comment-making leaders -- ample scope to censure those advocating or supporting violence. Above all, nexuses that work against the people have to be dealt with firmly and with courage. There is a growing disenchantment with politics. Most educated students do not want to enter politics. It is an ominous sign.
Mahmudur Rahman is a writer, columnist, broadcaster, and communications specialist.
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