Steep course to Utopia

Dr Yunus insisted that peace was an essential pre-condition to progress and prosperity of any nation worth its name. The political turmoil currently obtaining in the country, in his opinion, would terribly affect the national economy. The blockade program being pursued by some political parties would further aggravate the waning situation. Yet some other political parties pursuing agitational programs in the streets against the first group were doing nothing better to avert serious confrontation. Dr Yunus opined that unless there was a consensus among the conflicting political parties the country would remain plunged in absolute uncertainty. The situation could not be allowed to deteriorate. So, Professor Yunus repeatedly exhorted the president and chief adviser of the caretaker government to conduct the affairs of the country firmly, without fear. He urged upon Prof Iajuddin to "talk to all but listen to none." The president and CA would have to take decisions as he would himself think right and desirable.

The first option of "talking to all but listening to none" sounds a funny proposition on the face of it, yet it could be a very shrewd contrivance on the part of its ultimate dispenser, i.e. the president and CA of the caretaker government. Notwithstanding the eventual intention of the counsel proffered by Prof Yunus, Professor Iajuddin Ahmed has by now proved that he is genuinely incapable of listening to all save his real, very powerful benefactor. It appears that now his moral obligation is to satisfy someone's wishes, even if it is not moral, and in flagrant violation of his oath of office. Professor Yunus' earnest entreaties with the man, till now, have not created any positive impact. Evidently, those inspiring words could not, so far, generate in the president the required moral strength to unchain himself from the hideous shackles and to act judiciously.

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The civic reception in his honour by the City Corporation at the personal initiative of Dhaka Mayor and President of City BNP offered Dr Yunus yet another good opportunity to make some innovative suggestions to contain the present political crisis in the country. He proposed a 7-point peace treaty which envisaged, among others, formation of an all-party government. One essential pre-condition to be stressed in the peace proposal is that both the 4-party alliance and the 14-party alliance will have to agree, at the first instance, to participate in the general election. For the purpose of having a free, fair and peaceful election the draft plan has provision for an election consultative or advisory committee which would keep on advising the caretaker government till the holding of the election. And subsequent to the election the alliance securing highest number of seats would be entitled to have the prime minister from it's alliance, and the second highest would have the seat of a deputy prime minister. The cabinet thus formed would have one-third of the ministers from the second group.

There are other pre-conditions in the peace plan which, inter alia, suggests a one year term initially, but under no circumstances it will be over two years. In other words, this will be a purely provisional government which will have to carry out numerous curative measures jointly for some specific areas of national importance including total reorganisation of the election commission, crusade against corruption, saving Bangladesh Biman, salvaging Chittagong port from mismanagement, improvement of power generation, containing terrorist activities, facilitating more and more foreign investments.

Indeed Professor Yunus has made a most laudable proposition. Yet, we have our doubts and reservations about the possibility of implementation of such an ambitious plan. There is, however, no doubt that it is born of a genuine anxiety that must have been fiercely tormenting this noble soul. But the viciously ostracized mind-set of the people who shall be involved in the process of implementation wouldn't allow the plan to be realised.

In this particular connection the Nobel Peace Prize winner could perhaps afford himself a quick reflection of the response he could get to his earnest entreaties with the president on November 6 at Bangabhaban. Dr. Yunus actually insisted upon Prof. Iajuddin Ahmed to prove that he was neutral and non-partisan. The events over the past couple of weeks do not bear testimony to his neutrality in any manner. On the contrary, all his actions so far continue to remain mysteriously clouded. Even the topmost gentleman in the judiciary has also been trapped in the same ignominous trend by his unprecedented intervention in the proceedings of the High Court bench hearing the writ petitions against the president filed by Awami League general secretary and coordinator of 14-party alliance MA Jalil and others. Like all common citizens Prof. Yunus would also be terribly shocked. If men in the highest positions can play such surreptitious roles to patronise one at the cost of another, the state of the lower echelons must be far more abhorrent.

So, let us at first make an effective dent in the fabric of the large-scale corruption viciously infesting our political activists. Let us envision a comprehensive social program in line with those of different socio-economic groups to root out the marauders and move towards creating a really congenial situation as would fulfil your dream Dr. Yunus, and our dream in fine. Till then let us not despair, and instead work relentlessly for the ultimate goal with hope and a sort of robust optimism. Professor Yunus may, in the meantime like to see the observations of Professor Zillur Rahman Siddiqui, Ex-Vice Chancellor of Jahangir Nagar University in his illuminating article in Prothom Alo on Saturday December 2, and consider a realignment of his peace proposals.

Kazi Alauddin Ahmed is a management consultant.