An eviction with conviction
I was writing about the Truth Commission this week until I saw the breaking news on television. The cabinet, in a momentous decision on Wednesday, cancelled the lease of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's cantonment residence. Politics is drifting again.
Frankly, nobody should get any abrupt value in this bankrupt decision. By no means could this be the most important thing for this country right now. We are still reeling from the tragedy of BDR massacre and the shockwaves of the global economic catastrophe. We are still eagerly waiting for the report of BDR investigation and keeping our fingers crossed that the garments industry and our workers abroad are spared by the brunt of financial meltdown.
It's late in the day in terms of history that the cabinet should find the lease of Khaleda's house illegal at this point of time. Perhaps it's early in the term of this government that it should take that finding to its logical conclusion. It could wait for some more time. What is the big deal if 28 years went on 29? At least that could have given us some respite to
cut through the clutter and get ready for a showdown.
Whether Khaleda Zia stays in that house or gets thrown out of it won't add a kilowatt of electricity to the national grid. It won't bring fresh and clean water to the taps in our kitchens and bathrooms. The problem is whether it will get the leader out of her house or not, it will surely bring her supporters out of their homes to take to the streets in protest.
If we go by history, then a spark becomes flame and a voice becomes chorus too soon in politics. Not to say that this country can't afford a confrontation right now. Understood, the ruling party is buoyant after its landslide victory. After all, a three-fourth majority isn't a joke.
But how does it help to start a new controversy on the heels of another? Yes, we want to give homes to the families of our fallen heroes. But why do we have to evict someone from her home to make space for others? Couldn't we find another vacant lot anywhere in this town to build houses on so that those families could be accommodated?
Not to say that Khaleda Zia shouldn't be evicted if her stay is illegal. Not to say that the cabinet of one regime can't override the executive order of another. I am sure there will be a prolonged legal battle where legal minds are going to do threadbare analysis of this case. The cabinet decision is unlikely to go unchallenged.
Meanwhile, it's likely to give BNP a rallying cry, maybe public sympathy to some extent. Politics will heat up, and we would see some clashes on the streets as precursor to wider protests. Instead of healing old wounds, it's likely to open fresh ones.
One remembers how BNP had reacted when the parliament allotted houses to the present prime minister and her sister in 2001. One remembers the brutal attack on her rally on August 21, 2004, which killed many party workers although she narrowly escaped. The fruit of revenge is always sweet, but, as one American politician said, we can't go ahead if we are getting even.
Still, politics in this country is all about getting even. And I can understand it. Tit for tat is the name of the game. Not a problem, passion runs on passion if that's what it takes to bring satisfaction. If one is tormented, it's only natural that one would look for one's chance to torment the tormentor. It takes a very large person to resist the temptation of revenge.
But the timing is of essence here. A lot of people on both sides of the political divide are going to scratch their heads if the misery of the bereaved families has been used for political gain. Khaleda Zia may or may not lose that house on 6, Shaheed Mainul Road. If she does and when apartments are built on that land, will the new owners feel settled down?
Not if they think they are going to get their apartments under the same consideration, which got Khaleda the house. Should they choose to enter politics, another cabinet can always meet to cancel the allotment and ask them to vacate their apartments. The families of martyred officers will go to a shelter, not to a home. If Khaleda is thrown out of that house, these families should be twice warned.
Confucius has cautioned that before someone embarks on a journey of revenge, he should dig two graves. It's just a matter of time, five years to be precise in political rotation.
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