The road to reform

In 1946 the overwhelming majority of Muslim population of the then Bengal voted for Pakistan and accepted Mohammad Ali Jinnah as the sole leader because of lack of leadership at the national level. Then it was the Muslim Students' League who realised that the Muslim leaders of the then West Pakistan never cared for the welfare of the then East Pakistan. Instead, they aimed at controlling the Bengalees politically, economically and even culturally. They had rather a stupid notion that poor and simple East Pakistani peasants would not have the capability to govern.

It was only Sheikh Mujib who could stand against the then powerful Muslim League. After struggling for long 24 years he could throw away the Pakistani rule. It is indeed unfortunate that he was not remembered even on 26 March this year. Sheikh Mujib can never be compared with any political leader of Bangladesh. If we fail to recognise his greatness we disown ourselves as a nation. We might have human weaknesses. This does not mean that we should belittle him because his party is not in power. Why should we not try to free ourselves from narrow political thinking for a moment?

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Awami League has passed through various phases during the last 56 years. Its first phase ended with its split with Moulana Bhasani group. It was mainly the realistic political consideration which prompted Sheikh Mujib to choose the leadership of Husein Shaheed Suhrwardy in 1957. Though with military coup of 1958 political activities virtually stopped for a while (1958-62) Mujib continued to remain firm on achieving legitimate rights for the then East Pakistan though he was offered various temptations by the West Pakistani leadership time to time.

After the national election of 1970 Sheikh Mujib spared no pains to bring political understanding between the leaders of West and East Pakistan. Because of Bhutto's ambition to remain the most powerful leader in West Pakistan Sheikh's honest effort was nullified. Sheikh was fully aware of the risk involved in seeking assistance from any foreign country to liberate his own. This has amply been proved by his step taken for withdrawal of Indian army from Bangladesh. Many of us may have sacrificed a great deal in achieving the independence, yet our gain was huge. Bangladeshis became free from awesome economic, political and social domination of the Pakistanis.

Because of poorly organised bureaucracy immediately after independence different treaties and agreements between India and Bangladesh at that time apparently went more in favour of India. India-Mujib accord of 1974 could not be implemented in full because of indifference of India. In the Ganges water treaty the interest of Bangladesh was not safeguarded well. At present India appears to be set to divert river water upstream further ignoring the right of the country downstream, the Indian BSF is rather brutally killing innocent Bangladeshi living in border areas on different pretexts. Such show of force appears to pressurise Bangladesh for allowing India certain concessions without conceding any reasonable demands of Bangladesh. Lots of bilateral meetings at different official levels proved futile.

Awami league is popularly believed as friend of India because it led the war of independence with Indian help. Because of rather unfriendly attitude shown by India the common people of Bangladesh look to India with suspicion. Thus favourable attitude of India, if any, toward AL is no plus point for it. At the same time AL must refrain from claiming all the credit for achieving independence of Bangladesh.

In politics or in war it is well known that the opponents would never be underestimated. Perhaps this adage was repeatedly ignored by AL leadership both in 1991 and 1996.

To a great extent it is true that religion is the sigh of the oppressed. As the most organised religion-based party Jamaat can draw sympathy and respect from the poor and illiterate Muslims of Bangladesh. AL must not forget that in a democracy freedom of thought cannot be taken away from any one. If Jamaat followers have softer corner for the Muslim Ummah why they should be treated as fundamentalists or destroyers of secular attitude in others?

It is a happy sign that all the liberal and moderate political parties could gang up on a common agenda of bringing reform in the constitutional provision of caretaker government. It may be pointed out that we have seen the strength of such an alliance in the recent municipal election of Chittagong city.

Awami League needs reform in its party structure before the national election. By reminding liberation movement, name of Sheikh Mujib or secularism or pro-socialist philosophy, as it appears, they cannot win majority votes. Even the slogans against corruption, inefficiency or deteriorating law and order are not that effective. Hartal is losing its appeal and effectiveness because it is common people who suffer the most. These people not only form the majority of voters they can also influence the voters in general.

Awami League should not ignore the unpalatable fact that because of low rate of literacy (43%) common people do not understand the deeper meaning of freedom, democracy, human dignity. Because of their abject misery they bother about their own survival needs like food, shelter and clothing. Thus it may be dispassionately analysed as to how many of them really appreciate the contribution of Sheikh Mujib or Awami League or how many really understand the implication of raising the level of their language. To our illiterate and poor mass influence of religion is still profound.

Whatever may have been gained by AL during the past 15 years are all from the slips, errors and incapabilities of BNP. It was a big blunder for BNP to take a retaliatory attitude toward AL. Instead of benefitting BNP this has benefitted the Jamaat which has been able to influence part of BNP. Needless to say that this part of BNP is dominating in present politics. In the last national election AL's mistake was misreading the opinion of the educated middle class living in cities as the opinion of the people. To regain their pristine glory AL may consider taking the following measures:

(a) To approach Dr Kamal Hossain to return to AL. He may be offered a suitable position in the party.

(b) Despite some controversial records effort may be made vigorously to convince Ershad to join the alliance.

(c) The young AL activists from Jubo League, Student League and Labour League with good and clean background be considered for senior positions in the party.

(d) The front ranking leaders of AL must stop making provocative or disrespectful statements against the front ranking leaders of the government.

(e) AL must try to appreciate the good works of the opponent. There is no harm in giving some credit to opponents some times.

(f) AL must refrain from announcing frequent hartals.

(g) AL should be more vigorous about purging bad elements from the party.

The four party alliance has proved that moderate and pro-Muslim parties can work together without much problem despite incumbency factor. They may face strongly the AL-led alliance without resorting to unethical practice in the election if they can convince the people about their capability to take the following measures:

(a) Improved governance.

(b) Real improvement in law and order (extra-judicial killing does not assure improvement in law and order situation).

(c) Destroying houses and shops of poor people in the name of democracy and allowing the wealthy to grab government land is no democracy. It is oligarchy in the garb of democracy. So refrain from such practices.

(d) Establishment of anti-corruption commission (making it inoperative makes the real intention of government questionable).

The recent municipal election of Chittagong city indicate that more or less fair election is possible if right candidates can be placed. At the same time it is a unique development that people can dictate counting of votes fairly and announcement of correct result.

New suggestions from the former CEC have been received. May be the government can consider strengthening of the election commission a necessity under the present circumstances. We also hope about reform in the provision of caretaker government. We wish for a truly free and fair election for further progress toward strengthening of democracy in Bangladesh.

ABMS Zahur is a retired Joint Secretary.