May 7, 2007 was the day Sheikh Hasina was to return home. I learnt from the newspapers that a few Awami League leaders were granted permission to greet her at the airport.
I reside in Uttara. At 4pm on that day, I was travelling to Gulshan to run an errand. Upon reaching the airport, my car was brought to a standstill. I bore witness to the entire area being engulfed by a sea of people. Overcoming the myriad challenges put in their way, caring not a jot for the state of emergency, mindful of the risks and fears, they came of their own volition to catch a glimpse of her, to pay their respects.
After being away for 51 days, she was welcomed with blessings and love by the thousands who lined the streets from the airport to Road No 32, Dhanmondi. At the airport she said: “The grave mistake of obstructing me to prevent my return to Bangladesh should never be repeated by the government.” A momentous statement. A gentle rain had suddenly started to fall. The sky had surrendered to darkness.
Standing amidst it all, the populace chanted: “In rain and storm, in the darkest of nights, we are with you!” An aberrant ray of light. Sheikh Hasina, the daughter of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib, the greatest Bengali of all time (“shorbokaaler shorbosreshtho Bangali”). 26 years ago, in 1981, returning home in inimical circumstances, she had gone straight to the same address.
The house in which Bangabandhu was killed along with his family by insurgent, assisted by imperialists. On that day, the tears that echoed within Sheikh Hasina when she entered the walls haunted by the past, the melancholy, translated anon into fortitude. From then until now (2007), she has fought with courage to unite the pro-liberation forces and establish good governance.
Should I compare Sheikh Hasina’s homecoming with that of Bangabandhu’s on January 10 1972? Yes, and no. Yes: An ocean of people stretched from the airport to Suhrawardy Uddan to welcome Bangabandhu. The same love and respect greeted her daughter on May 7, 2007. It has to be noted that this assembly was not arranged by the AL. People’s adulation manifested itself so.
The AL is a constitutional political party. Its words have been curtailed by caution during the state of emergency, and its political actions halted. Thus, it did not dare break the law by taking any initiative to welcome her.
The initiative that was present on January 10, 1972. Bangabandhu had arrived after nine long months, escaping death in the gaols of Pakistan to return to independent Bangladesh a free man. Sheikh Hasina too has returned to her independent homeland, albeit under disparate circumstances and a contrasting environment, concerned and anxious.
Much has happened in the country during the 51 days of her absence. It had seemed like the government would not allow her to return. That stance has been relaxed. The continuance of the state of emergency has seen the caretaker government transmute into an interim government. In its attempt to fulfil its mandate of holding fair and free elections, it has adopted several policies to eradicate corruption and further democracy. On this, it has been applauded by the patriotic military, the populace, civil societies, the media, and honest politicians.
Sheikh Hasina has joined in with the praising as well. She is repeatedly reminding them of their duty to hold elections soon. Overcome with emotion upon being able to return to her homeland, she told the media, “the ban on my return has been lifted since the government has come to its senses. That I have been able to come back is enough for me.” When asked whether she will be put under house arrest like Khaleda Zia, she reiterated the government’s error in preventing her return. Arresting or incarcerating her now will see them regress. Asked about reformation, she stated that the AL will take care of its own – none can dictate it.
On this issue I have written previously that there is no doubt that reforming the political parties is imperative. However, it cannot be done via the “minus two” doctrine. If the parties do not themselves have democracy, transparency, and accountability, they cannot fulfil their duties to the citizens they serve.
There has to be a needs-based, bottom-up reform. External pressure to undertake these changes can have the opposite effect. Sustainable change comes from within. Bangabandhu had a distinct vision regarding the future of politics. No leader who has come since has been able to live up to this. Hence, they limped on the path of politics, lost their way, took refuge in corruption.
The purposefully corrupt were not removed from their parties. Rather, the unscrupulous accumulators of illegal wealth and their muscle have been celebrated as the embodiments of the parties. Our politicians need to develop a superior understanding of being competent, principled, honest, and courageous by practising these values. Reformation has to flow from a commitment to avert cults of personalities and dynasties in parties. Their policies have to be conceived democratically, and the youth need to have access similarly, opening the door to leadership for them.
Sheikh Hasina’s father is the greatest Bengali of all time, the Father of the Nation. Although I was not at his level, I was involved in politics alongside my cultural practices. Our ideologies brought us close. I received his affection. This is amongst my life’s most precious treasures. I am now 81 years old. I dote on Hasina like a daughter. I love her respectfully like a mother. I respect her as a leader.
Ma, I know that the devotion of the thousands flooding the streets in adverse conditions towards you touched you deeply. How will you reward the citizens of this land if you rise to power? They do not expect a utopian nation from you. They expect a happy, prosperous, and corruption-free nation. They expect the mistakes of the past that kept AL from winning the 2001 election to be rectified with a firm hand on the oars from you. Find the courage to rid the party of the debauchers and nihilists who surround you.
The AL is founded on non-communalism, Bengali nationalism, and egalitarianism. Secularism is the bedrock of the AL. Do not compromise on this under any circumstances, in any way. Building on the foundations, establish transparency, accountability, and democratic principles in politics. Wage war against communalism, fundamentalism, shibboleth, and terrorism. Evolve the AL into an august gathering of enlightened and virtuous individuals capable of creating a forward-thinking, logical, and humane society. Unite the entire nation with Bangabandhu’s ideologies.
I know that you do not fear death. Temptations cannot derail you. I also know that my meagre words already form a part of your thoughts. Nevertheless, let my plea serve as a gentle reminder. I had written an open letter to Bangabandhu during his lifetime, a similar prayer. You are my esteemed mother. Please do not misunderstand this old child’s ruminations. I raise both hands to bless you, to make yourself in Bangabandhu’s image.
