First things first! Let us agree that freedom without order endangers peace. Because that is much of what we have seen recently.
Undeniably, the recent uprising of the students in Bangladesh has proven that unity with perseverance can break every barrier of oppression. Restoration of democracy can now be hoped for. The strength they showed through their conviction has earned them honour and people’s trust.
But as the wind of joy (Disclaimer: Not that Joy!) seems to have no plans to go slow till now, a disturbing trend of “reckless independence” among some victorious youth has emerged and seems to be beyond control.
The initial days following the regime change saw a drastic power vacuum. Our heavily compromised law and order structure burst apart soon after the collapse of the corrupt leadership. The police largely withdrew from their duties in fear of harm, apprehension, and agitation, leaving the nation in a state of vulnerability.
Luckily, the students once again stepped forward to demonstrate their mature post-victory sense of civic responsibility. They primarily tried organizing the traffic when no police were there to do so for days and provided a variety of other community services. Furthermore, they conducted vehicle checks, and even uncovered illegal arms and ammunition. It has all been so patriotic and selfless of them.
Yet, amid these highly laudable acts, several episodes of rather unkind behaviours started to cross the limits of tolerance. Instances of vandalizing vehicles because they were in a “no-parking” zone, misbehaviour towards drivers and rickshaw pullers to the rude extent of manhandling, harassment of female passengers, violating personal boundaries by forcefully checking others’ mobiles on the roads and many other sorts of chaos were noticed.
Nevertheless, the nation gratefully acknowledges the precious sacrifices and services committed by our brave-hearted students and we shall forever remain grateful too. Those equally who are being genuine through actions while serving the new Bangladesh voluntarily are still heroes.
But this misuse of freedom must come to a stop before that place of appreciation is taken up by grievance and dissatisfaction. The majority of those who are now on the roads creating nuisance in the name of service are unlikely to be the same students who had the courage of taking to the streets before August 5. Yet again, the entire anti-discrimination movement’s credibility is now under threat because both the saviours and the destroyers are being labelled as “students.”
Instances of vandalizing vehicles, misbehaviour towards drivers, and harassment of female passengers were noticed
The euphoria of victory can be intoxicating, and it is understandable that some students might feel a sense of invincibility. Much of the unfortunate incidents are also just collateral damage following a long-awaited break in the handicapped leadership of the nation who were abusing power and resources for so many years. But it is verily in these hours that we must behave ourselves and comply with the utmost form of dignity. The way forward where saving justice and restoring peace matters the most should be built on the foundation of respect, compassion, and collaboration.
Bringing back police and taking the students out from the streets is a good relief in some sense at this point but just a temporary solution. Without sustainable reform of mindsets, the same caricature shall resurface given the chance and ruin the good done by the true patriots.
We should so agree that it is never going to be entirely possible by any student coordinator nor by the law enforcement agencies to put a stop to such mishaps single-handedly. Hence, prevention of such behaviour lies in understanding, accepting, and working upon individual conscience development, and the inculcation of good family morals other than only greater institutional initiatives.
It must not be disregarded that everything that our nation created unprecedented examples of is not for harbouring the very malice that has been overthrown at the cost of countless fatal destruction. We must utilize this opportunity to constructively demonstrate our capacity for self-correction and commitment to the principles of democracy and human rights. Let us no longer remain ignorant.
Nafis Ehsas Chowdhury is a columnist and studies business at United International University.
