Faith-based politics

The present political culture as practised in Dhaka is low on rationality. It is ruled by the heart rather than by the head. We have a good head but we cannot use it and surrender to emotions and sentimentality-not only in politics but in practically all spheres of life.

This is costing the nation dearly and we are enmeshed in a vicious cycle for more than a generation. The new and young generations are guided by the wrong principles and guidelines on the approach to politics. We are sowing the future seeds now and the future is not at all bright based on the wrong premises.

Our leadership has failed and failed miserably as they cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. How can the followers follow? What is the message in a wrecked smoking car on the roadside on hartal days? It is an ominous symbol of having lost sight of the options available. It is for the leaders to advocate the option to choose and not create new options every now and then.

What is more disturbing is the academic mind working in student politics. The main purpose of education is to make us think and choose the possible right course in a situation. For three decades we cannot choose a political ideology suited to the majority and at the same time applicable to the minority of dissenters.

Today we are fighting a full-fledged political war, instead of developing our country. It is a huge waste of time, money and energy. The conclusion is clear enough: the political leadership (not politics) is totally unfit to run politics and the country.

Vacuum in political culture is dangerous, for entry of unwanted virus, as we see in Africa and elsewhere. The politicians, regardless of party affiliation, have to maintain continuity, for self-survival and survival of the political culture. What we see today is adhoc politics based on confrontation.

The latter has to go, as we are not dealing with foreign subjugation. The local discontent and foreign domination have to be treated separately. Why do we still have agitation politics and street demonstrations? Impress whom? Each and every opposition accuses the regime of autocracy. The self-centred leaders expect too much from the followers in a procession, and the public watching it.

Our leader cannot stand alone, on principle, and suffer. He is always looking for props, like a lame or blind person. This is ridiculous. The followers will lead the leader, as a child is led by the elders?

There is something wrong with out mental make-up. The top in the society have to point it out, not unknown citizens like this one.