Perspectives
In the eye of the storm
"Pity the nation that raises not its voice save when it walks in a funeral, boasts not except among its ruins." -- Kahlil Gibran
An apolitical student uprising in Dhaka University on August 20 and 21 has disencumbered the nation of its ignominious impotence -- but at a cost. Indeed, the spontaneity, spread, and intensity of the event has few parallels in our recent history.
It spread like a prairie fire, engulfing in its flames the entire country, while the student community was gripped by a spasmodic hysteria. When the rampage stopped, it left a deep scar on the face of the nation and the establishment. Already exasperated with multiple problems, they are trying to understand what it was all about.
However, it goes to the credit of the authorities that they played it cool, and reacted fast and responsibly before it could snowball into yet another national crisis. Now that the storm has blown over, the people at the helm are expected to do a bit of introspection and soul-searching to pinpoint what was it due to.
Was the trivial incident at the university gymnasium alone the catalyst of an episode of epic proportion? Few believe it. Moreover, apparently there is little evidence of the involvement of any political elements during the whole course of the agitation. It remains an enigma more because the fray was joined by many non-students who couldn't possibly have anything common with what the students were fighting for.
A comprehension of the bizarre explosion of the students' wrath, the extent of which clearly jolted the authorities and was watched with trepidation by the whole nation, is a must to be able to tide over the crisis that remains only suppressed at the moment. It is also essential to be able to sift out the inherent message of the uprising. These exercises may reveal some bitter truths, which ought to be taken in good spirit.
The nightmarish experience during the past political government of the BNP-Jamaat preceded the installation of the present interim government. The majority of the people struggled for years to bring such a dispensation into being. In a twist of events, the interim government preferred to draw its strength from the military, although there is perhaps nothing wrong in that. But it can happen only at the cost of its standing with the people, who have welcomed this interim government and appreciated its brave and noble ventures.
Belying public expectations, this dispensation has not been much of an improvement over earlier political governments, either in addressing the hard-issues of the nation or in resolving the complex problems of the masses. The socio-economic sector never looked as bleak as it does now. The prices of the daily necessaries have perhaps reached an all-time high.
Contrary to an adviser's claim, the purchasing power of the people has decreased due to double digit inflation. The moribund state of the infrastructure, as well as the continuing closure of the public sector enterprises and disincentive in investment, has pushed many to unemployment and virtual pauperisation. Things seem to be withering away, with the economy in the doldrums. Business and commercial activities have stalled, and there prevails a consternation and a sense of deja vu with regard to past public experiences.
All these do not, however, reflect on the government's insincerity, but lay bare the limitations of a non-representative plutocracy staying long in power and expanding its agenda. The interim government, in its desire to do more, has over-stretched. As a result the routine has suffered. Moreover, a small band of plutocrats and technocrats, detached and alienated from the public, can seldom feel their pulse and be aware of their grievances, because there exists no mechanism for this purpose.
Worst hit, however, has been the country's political arena, which suffers from total vacuum. In the process of reforms now underway, the old political edifice has been pulled down without being replaced by an appropriate structure. Consequently, the leadership, organisations, political programs, and even routine activities of stakeholders in national politics are in shreds with the suspension of fundamental rights and the state of emergency.
All throughout the country's political history, the nation aspired and fought for democracy and a civilian-political supremacy, which are hallmarks of modern statecraft. It is not surprising that our student community, which has the tradition of pioneering enlightened ideas and bailing out the nation from crises, feels disillusioned at the country's ground realities with regard to its political prospects -- particularly restoration of the democratic status. The students as well as the inquisitive public want to see beyond the realities that meet their eye. However, students cannot indulge in destruction of state and private property in the nameof agitation.
The people have made many noble and great sacrifices, and have noble achievements, for which millions laid down their lives. Now when they take stock of them, they instinctively want to preserve those achievements. They have respect for the military, who are in one way or other their kith and kin. Close to their heart is a dream called democracy in its unadulterated form.
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