When rights organisations scream about people going off scot-free in criminal cases due to impunity, the jailing of the ruling Awami League lawmaker, Abdur Rahman Bodi, gives a strong signal regarding the government’s stand against criminals, whoever they may be.
Similarly, police action against rowdy armed activists of the ruling party’s student-wing, the Bangladesh Chhatra League, is a welcome move.
The AL’s new general secretary and minister, Obaidul Quader, commented: “Operation (against unruly party elements) has just started.” This too is worthy of praise.
These two examples are just the start of what one hopes will be a long journey, and Bangladesh will stand stronger in terms of the rule of law as a consequence.
Good governance needs a strong rule of law, and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s tough stand will go a long way in achieving her Visions 2021 and 2041.
On November 2, 2016, a Dhaka court handed down three years’ imprisonment to Awami League MP Abdur Rahman Bodi for corruption.
He is accused of many other unlawful acts, which is why this news was a welcome one.
It is especially a message for rogue leaders like him to mind their steps, which hugely hinders progress.
But does Bodi get the message? The television footage showed him grinning as if he has become a hero. He must understand that he is a convicted criminal, and being a government party law-maker or member does not make any difference as far as the rule of law is concerned.
Obaidul Quader is the right leader to see that the message travels rank-and-file, and that anybody else involved in any wrong-doings and continuing to damage the image of the party and the country will not be spared.
If there are other wrong-doers in the party or the government, let’s hope that Bodi isn’t the last case in which judgement is served. Let us hope that Minister Quader’s words will translate into reality for the good of all
Post-incident expulsions are not an answer; pro-active and pre-emptive preventions are the call of the day, so that the damage does not continue.
Obaidul Quader reportedly also said photo sessions with leaders will not be allowed as they are misused. This is difficult to disagree with, as I see it everywhere.
Some people are only “photo leaders” but in practice do nothing for the party or the country, or even for their leader.
These leaders will not come out to protect the one who played a part in lifting them up to their current positions if she is in trouble, I fear. So we must know the true leaders, activists, and supporters for our posterity.
Obaidul Quader has forced the party’s rank-and-file to consider what would happen to them and the country without Sheikh Hasina.
Very practical words, but they have to be translated into reality. This will help not only the Awami League, but Bangladesh too.
If there are other wrong-doers in the party or the government, let’s hope that Bodi isn’t the last case in which judgement is served.
Let us hope that Minister Quader’s words will translate into reality for the good of all of us, especially Bangabandhu’s Golden Bengal and Sheikh Hasina’s Digital Bangladesh.
It has to be a continuous process, and not just a stop-gap measure.
These actions will get more popular votes in the most crucial 2019 elections, where anti-liberation forces will use all they have to return to power.
Good luck to Mr Obaidul Quader.
Nadeem Qadir is the Press Minister of Bangladesh High Commission in London.
