Editorial
Avoid reverse politicisation
Why must the hope for change be so rudely dashed?
WE are both surprised and frustrated at the news that Vice Chancellor, Bangabandhu Medical University Prof. Nazrul Islam has been called to quit by the Health Minister without assigning any reason whatsoever. As if in a gesture of favour being done to him, he is asked to resign citing personal reasons -- the highhanded manner could hardly be disguised in a wrap of superficial courtesy.
Prof. Islam, a non-political, fully professional, appointee of the last caretaker government took over the most prestigious post-graduate medical institution for research and treatment a year ago to cleanse it of corruption and malpractice that had seeped the organisation -- thanks to BNP loyalist hierarchy at the BSMMU. There cannot any second opinion on the paramount need for a neutral administration running such a highly specialised institution.
All that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina needs to do is to refresh her memory of the vociferous criticism and volumes of media and public outcries that the BNP-led four party alliance government was subjected to for its sweeping politicisation of institutions having to do with rule of law, governance, service delivery and public welfare. It can hardly be overstated that such exposes had played out in shaping the four-party alliance's heavy electoral defeat in December, and conversely, the AL's massive mandate for change. But where is the change in politics and governance if Sheikh Hasina gives in to pressures from within to resort to reverse politicisation.
Promoters of self-serving policies would activate themselves the moment a party comes to power and try and build their argument for change on the premise of victimisation and martyr complex they had been through during the erstwhile government as though they needed to be rewarded for their perceived suffering in the past. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina cannot therefore be oblivious of the fact that individual or group expediency or personal aspiration prompt people around her to persuade her to go for reshuffle in an organisation, even where it is not considered desirable. Once taking over, they would use funds and position of the office for self-aggrandisement and creation of personal fiefdoms while the charter of the institutions get trampled.
What is more to the point, the image of the ruling party and the government suffers badly in the public eye. So, in a very narrow political sense also, reverse politicisation is a tactical blunder. The people expect of the PM to break the cycle politicisation of public institutions once and for all.
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