While compassion surprises
Compassion is a virtue.Photo: STAR
THE news of Begum Khaleda Zia and a number of prominent BNP leaders condoling the sad demise of Dr. Wazed Mia, husband of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has been of significance. The media has been very appreciative of the comforting gesture of Begum Zia in Sheikh Hasina's hour of distress and personal loss. Some have gone to the extent of commenting that the warmth of sympathy and understanding generated will positively impact the otherwise acrimonious relationship of the two main political parties. To an outside observer, the above situation may be a bit difficult to comprehend as what has happened is quite obvious and in perfect consonance with normal human behaviour. The cynics, however, say that in Bangladesh the obvious has to be stated and enacted time and again to restore propriety in public life and political discourses. The sad reality is that, barring honourable exceptions, our politicians of different opinions do not socialise amongst themselves and do not enquire about each other's welfare -- some are not even on talking terms. Many such politicians, despite their being related to each other, are not discharging their social responsibilities, which, needless to mention, is setting an unhealthy precedent. On account of such aberrations, the future social scenario may be one in which our leaders in all walks of life will have scant respect for each other. Interestingly enough, the sizable expatriate community, including diplomats, has often wondered how we, having crafted such an admirably lofty constitution, could be so coarse in political exchanges and behave so immaturely in the social circuit. There can be no doubt that the inner strength of our people, which has enabled them to be dignified and to hold their heads high despite economic adversity, is the result of our age-old tradition of values pertaining to courtesy and hospitality. Is there a risk of our losing that richness, while failing, at the same time, to shed poverty? Our leaders should ponder, as there is no replacement for a sense of values. It is perhaps time to develop the spirit of moderation by not pressing a partisan advantage to its bitter end, and understand and respect the other view; and this must be in clear contradistinction to the spirit of fanaticism. This is extremely significant because, if the spirit of moderation does not prevail, our society will degenerate into divisions and hatred will replace goodwill. We have to demonstrate how goodness can be made effective. Cynical observers of the Bangladeshi political scene entertain grave doubts about a real change in the style and substance of advocacy insofar as our dispute resolution scenario is concerned. Their continued pessimism is not without ground as hapless Bangladeshis sadly watched their guardians remain unmoved despite the combined onslaught of logic and reason, law and fact. Even now, otherwise responsible and erudite politicians are talking irrelevantly and irreverently. The tragedy is that we are forgetting that democracy, with freedom of opinion and opposition, is not the normal way of organising society but is a rare human achievement. In our environment, many citizens may appear un-dimensional but our political leaders have no excuse for being so perilously un-dimensional. They have to act as catalysts. The responsibilities, which, today, lie on their shoulders are far greater than at any earlier time in our history. We seem to be oblivious that law moves on a unique plane and that a lawful society reflects man's sense of order and justice. Such a society embodies rules and traditions that have a binding effect and provide the enduring element, the dimension of permanence, in history. We cannot have a government without order and there can be no order without tolerance and decency. The harmful polarisation of our political existence across the party divide has to stop. The language of reason and moderation needs to be pleasantly conspicuous while our tolerance threshold must be admirably high. These are not a tall ask in a democracy. Muhammad Nurul Huda is a columnist of The Daily Star.
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