Democracy must be seen to function

The Constitution might be 'the embodiment of the will of the people'. It might have been framed so that 'we may prosper in freedom and may make our full contribution' as citizens. However, at this point of time, we need to ask ourselves as to whether all that has been promised is actually taking place.

Only one week ago leaders of various political parties were making pious declarations about upholding the values of Ekushey February. They were, everyone of them, re-dedicating themselves to carry forward the torch of free thought and speech that was lit fifty-two years ago in Dhaka. Yet, even while such assertions were being made, a political group was being denied full opportunity to observe the International Mother Language Day near their central office. Sheikh Hasina's Government had been responsible for UNESCO according special status and recognition to this Day and the Awami League was obviously trying to remember this success.

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Newspapers reported that police sealed off entry and exit of people to the Awami League party central office. Barbed wire fencing was erected on the eastern and western ends of Bangabandhu Avenue. The party was also reportedly not allowed to erect any rostrum for their Ekushey programmes. Police, according to bystanders also used batons to disperse the people and the leaders and activists and tried to stop them from entering the venue. The Leader of the Opposition Sheikh Hasina also faced difficulty in entering the venue and addressing the cultural function.

Such obstruction, in the opinion of most people, was short-sighted, unnecessary and unfortunate. It could have, and should have been avoided. One must remember that confining a group behind barbed wire might in the short run restrict their ability to express their ideas, but eventually, it only evokes more interest to what might have been articulated by them. Secondly, the purpose was cultural with international connotations. This action, from that point of view, smacked more of repression and political hindrance. Instead of cooperation, regarding an important event, we have seen confrontation.

Like any sane member of society, today, I am seriously concerned about observance of democratic traditions in our country. The major political parties, instead of co-existing 'in the spirit of amity, mutual tolerance and trust' appear to be bent on testing each other's weaknesses on the streets.

The problem probably lies in the belief that the winner in any election has the right to that form of governance, which would guarantee for its followers, diverse benefits, over every one else, pertaining to the State's largesse. This motivating factor has possibly encouraged the ruling Administration to forget that "if their 46 per cent (of the votes) gives them legitimacy to rule, then, Awami League's 41 per cent also entitles them to receive all the respect and dignity of a party that enjoys that many voters' confidence".

Toleration and partnership are the key words. This is a very simple fact, and there should not be a mind-block to such a principle. In fact, had the Opposition not felt marginalised and neglected, they might not have gone to the streets for observing controversial 'hartal'.

In the recent past, we have seen how senior elected representatives have been brutally lathi-charged causing serious head injuries. Why should this happen? Can we not think of other ways to contain such difficult situations? What about using water houses? Similarly, as was done in the cases of two former Ministers, some political activists could be taken in buses and then set free many kilometres outside Dhaka. The British did it all the time before 1947. It just does not make sense to target some well-known party officials and then beat them senseless.

Democracy is the right to express dissenting opinion. It pre-supposes the principle of agreeing to disagree. In this context, all sides have to follow basic rules. Neither party should try to coerce the followers of the other to a particular view based on threat, where citizens are forced to stay at home out of fear.

In this regard, one is constrained to point out that observance of peaceful hartal is one thing, but destroying public or private property through arson, during or before hartal, is another. It was therefore most disappointing that the evenings before two successive hartal days, saw the burning of motor vehicles and destruction of public and private property. This should not have occurred. Trying to create fear in the minds of the population a few hours before the hartal starts does not win friends. This should be remembered by the leadership that calls hartal. It would have reflected a sense of maturity and responsibility on the part of the Awami League organisers to have asked their activists and supporters not to resort to violence ahead of or during hartal hours. Such action can only alienate public opinion and provide an excuse to law enforcement agencies to take recourse to use of excessive force. They have to believe in the power of the silent majority and their perception and analysis of ongoing events. Taking the people 'hostage' during the hartal period does not give additional focus to issues.

Today, people in general clearly feel that the current government is failing to provide them with adequate rule of law and order. Killings by mastaans, violence against women, toll collection from business people, mugging, dacoity at banks and business establishments and kidnappings have become commonplace. Social disintegration is being encouraged through various formats of political patronage.

People in general have also noted that the Opposition was not given adequate chance to air their opinions within the Parliament. They have also seen how Opposition requests and notices for debate and discussion within the parliament were not given the requisite importance. There were reports of the microphone of the Leader of the Opposition being switched off and formation of Parliamentary Standing Committees without consultation and representation from the Opposition Parties. They have not missed the fact that the Opposition was not given satisfactory access to participate in these parliamentary bodies. They realise that these shortcomings might have driven the Representatives from the Opposition to the streets.

Good governance has also been undermined by persistent and growing corruption at various levels of the Administration. The civil administration and the law enforcement agencies have also been politicised. These factors, directly and indirectly, have contributed to the unnecessary price spiral of essential food items and an abnormal rise in the cost of living. There have been certain successes in the macro economic framework, but high unemployment rate, both open and disguised, continue to create their own impact on security and safety not only within the rural population but also in the urban areas. In turn, this is affecting poverty reduction.

All these elements are affecting the image of Bangladesh abroad. It is also casting a long shadow on potential foreign direct investment in our country. The common man knows this. So do our friends from abroad. That is why, we recently had Ms. Michele Sison of the US State Department, Bureau of South Asian Affairs, commenting in Dhaka that "good governance, a strong judiciary and congenial law and order are the requisites for sound business climate in a country and the absence of these would shy the investors away."

Similarly, while urging Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League to return to the Parliament, the visiting German Parliamentary Delegation also reiterated that the Opposition's presence in the House should not be hampered and "its work must be given full visibility". That is the crunch word.

The Opposition needs to be shown full respect and not be subjected to a 'partisan attitude" within the Parliament and arbitrary detention outside the Jatiya Sangsad.

Democracy should enable us to use the democratic institutions for the good of the people. There should be participation of different opinions. Enabling measures need to be introduced whereby those in the Opposition feel that they might not be the governing party but their views still carry weight in decision making.

This alone might enhance the prospect of Opposition parliamentarians returning to Parliament -- not empty words. After all, if the Opposition did not believe in democracy and associated traditions, they would have resigned their seats by now. They have not done so, I believe there is still time for wisdom.

Display of strength by the government machinery will only stoke tension in the 'political cauldron'. The current political scene needs cool heads rather than issuing of fractious and incendiary statements.

Muhammad Zamir is a former Secretary and Ambassador.