Was 1/11 inevitable to save Bangladesh?

By: Sunita Paul

Ask anyone you know from Bangladesh, a small island in South Asia, what would happen if the much controversial general election in 2007 (January 22) could not be stopped by imposing State of Emergency under military backing. Everyone will possibly tell you the destructive fate Bangladesh would suffer – a civil war. And, in case of breaking of a civil war, what would happen to the entire nation? Complete devastation and emergence of militant Islamist forces. There is possibly no room to have any doubt that members of Bangladesh Armed Forces took highest risk in taking this most critical decision in imposing State of Emergency and bringing rather an uncontroversial personality like Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed in the post of Chief Advisor to salvage the nation from being in imaginable political and social disaster.

Under the BNP-Islamist alliance rule, Bangladesh has been transformed into an inauspicious outpost of Islamist militancy and terrorism. Minorities had to face violent attacks and to bear agonies of the power-game and pre and post electoral victory under autocratic religious- democratic regime. The status of the Hindu community, after the general election in 2001, has also been focused in the report of the US State Department entitled Supporting Human Rights and Democracy: The US Record 2005- 2006 which stated: "Because minorities, especially Hindus, were subjected to intimidation and other forms of pressure during previous election campaigns, the United States has increased its monitoring of this issue in anticipation of the 2007 election"

But, I cannot give any credit to the rule of Awami League either from 1971-1975 or from 1996-2001 as two of these periods witnessed worst form of political robbery, corruption, nepotism, lawlessness and introduction of hated black laws like Special Powers Act in 1974 by the then Prime Minister Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who also is the father of Sheikh Hasina, who governed the country from 1996 to 2001. Although some want to say that, "Bangladesh lost her secular image after amendments to the Constitution in 1977 and 1988. Bangladesh was - a secular democratic state, a state, which makes no difference between a citizen, and a citizen, which deals fairly with all irrespective of caste, creed or community in the Constitution of Bangladesh-1972. But the elections in Bangladesh since 1979 have become a tussle between army-owned political parties versus people's political organizations."

I personally will disagree with such lame excuses. By shifting from so-called secular position to a position supported by religious sentiment was no wrong for Bangladesh. Even big powers like United States are not 'secular' states. In today's world, this term is considered to be rather a kind of modern hypocrisy and different brand of socialism cum atheism. Repression of religious minorities was nothing new in Bangladesh. Even the so-called secular government of Sheikh Mujib endorsed 'Vested Property Act' to give a great opportunity to some greedy sections in the society in grabbing properties mostly owned by Hindus. According to my own research, a large number of Awami League leaders occupied properties owned by Hindus taking the advantage of Vested Property Act.

Many of the pro-Awami League think tanks were trying to give grounds on as to why the elections where BNP had victories had 'razor thin' tactics. On the other hand, if someone will look into BNP or its Islamist alliance's justifications, they will see that, as if the people of Bangladesh voted for these parties as part of their religious obligations. In fact, none of these points are genuine. These are points raised by politically blind people, who know the arts of somehow defending their own political beliefs without considering any of the negative sides.

There is no doubt that in past fifteen months, there are numerous new challenges in front of the present interim government. Exorbitant price hike of essentials, power crisis and also recent rise of radical religious forces. But no one will argue to accept the fact that law and order situation in general has greatly improved in Bangladesh in past fifteen months.

Now the major point for the present government is to hold a free and fair election by December 2008. International communities are voicing in favor of holding such election. But, my humble question to them – can you afford to let Bangladesh once again governed by some crooks and culprits. Nature of politicians in Bangladesh, especially within the potential winning sides is absolutely corrupt. They only know the precise art of corruption. In this case, can Transparency International stop listing Bangladesh as the most corrupt nations in the world, if only a free and fair election is held and a team of corrupts come back in power with recharged energy?

People in Bangladesh in general welcomed the moves of army in placing a caretaker government in power to at least save the nation from inevitable anarchy. Later the anti-corruption drive was also largely lauded by the popular masses. Yes, there are some mistakes in the procedures of such actions. It is quite obvious, But, no one will again disagree to the point that 1/11 has given a strong lesson to everyone that no one is above law. Such achievements can never be seen with less importance.

Bangladesh is a country of infinite possibility. But the only problem is it does not have proper rulers to administrate the nation and take necessary steps in upbringing the future of the proud 150 million populations in South Asia. Bangladeshis by nature are nations of fighting against all odds. This is the time again to them to prove, they have the courage and strength to fight all forms of evils – corruption, nepotism, religious extremism. They must win the battle. That will be the best achievement of January 11 2007.