The question of settling issues, not the scores

True, Bangladesh today is an ideal case for any aspirant to grab power from a useless lot and try to deliver, notwithstanding the consequence. For it is equally immoral to watch in silence the country going haywire. But the problems are with regards to the ground rules that do not exist. How those capable are to, after all, replace how many of those incapable? How does that transfer take place in a democratic polity like Bangladesh? There are many more connected problem to be resolved before any new dispensation is to be in place.

Yet, few disagree that the country lacks governance -- let alone the question of what kind of it. Indeed there seems to be none in charge. Seldom before have things appeared so bleak in this country. The problem is not only of not having a credible government, the society is in fact withering away and the country is adrift with no order in force. In a country that can set no moral standard the muscleman rule the roost and the criminals have their field day.

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Even at a belated stage the people with compunction and gumption have started raising their finger -- however inadequate the steps may be. But equally inadequate are the right direction and correct gestures. While most of them are smeared with political motives the political crass of our political class is indeed obvious. Some have opted for issuing ultimatum which is by itself fascist in manner in fighting fascism -- and thus unworkable.

This country has a tradition of getting over bigger crises and often with success. True, a non-responsive establishment needs to be shaken up with the momentum of stiff mass-movement but only to educate and perhaps build up public opinion to be applied at the appropriate time, but certainly not as a tool for the transfer of authority. But, as things appear the main political party/parties opposing the government are doing exactly the same. Nevertheless we will have to address the issues and questions confronting the nation at that level. And while doing so we will have to settle the issues and not score points. But for over last three decades we scored points but settled none of the issues existing between the parties or social cleavages.

A nation that can achieve independence almost bare-handed can certainly remove the stigma of incapability whether in governance, crushing terror, setting order or bringing propriety in the society. The only pre-requisite is perhaps to be able to bury the hatchet over the pettiness dividing and weakening us. We will, of course, fight terror, corruption and other social evils, as far as possible, from a national platform to make the whole nation beneficiary of it. Fascism is not much of a doctrine. It is more of a method. The method has perhaps been brutally used by the establishment to vandalise or repress the political opponents in this country. But in an exercise where the goal is national catharsis let the method be humane to derive all of its benefit.

Brig ( retd) Hafiz is former DG of BIISS.