Let sanity prevail

We find these developments very disturbing, most of all because of the potential of these programmes for adding to the misery of the common people. It appears to us that the interests of the people do not merit any attention at all in the scheme of things of the political parties.

And all this is happening in the wake of the unrest in the garment sector. We are afraid that should the political violence continue, not only the garment sector but also the economy of the country, would be dealt a severe blow.

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The ruling party's procrastination and the opposition's conditionality for a dialogue give us the impression that both sides are into a game of brinkmanship, waiting for the other side to wilt first. It is also our belief that both the parties know only too well that in dialogue, which must be predicated on an attitude of give and take, lies the solution to the present impasse. And they are well aware of the stakes that are involved. That being the case, one wonders why are the parties resorting to actions that can lead the nation only to the precipice.

As for today, it will be our appeal to both the parties to exercise the maximum restraint and let not sanity take leave of them. The government must not, in its attempt to thwart the opposition, let loose its coercive machinery like the RAB, the police and its political activists on the opposition. As for the opposition, it must ensure that in expressing its grievances, recourse to actions that may lead to violence and destruction of property is avoided.

We would hope and indeed expect that this event would pass off peacefully. It is the responsibility of both the government and opposition to ensure that.