Projecting politics

The background changed drastically twice within the span of mere one generation: the partition of British India in 1947; and the break up of Pakistan in 1971, with the emergence of Bangladesh . For more than 30 years, Dhaka politics is in unstable equilibrium, veering away time and again from the bandwidth of so-called democracy.

More neutral observers are needed to present all sides of the complex picture, otherwise the younger generation tend to become polarized in the approach to politics; and get lost or bogged down inside the forest, sometimes losing sight of the light at the end of the tunnel. The perspective view is not being encouraged.

It is necessary (as a voter) to demarcate some areas for elucidation. What is political elasticity or flexibility, and how these parameters are handled by the political parties (in and out of power)? What is readily visible is the hostile and antagonistic approach, not benefiting the people. How to spot when subjective and oriented views are projected at the national level? In a two-party war, passion has no place for the outside observers (the voters); hence hartals and corrective actions leave many unmoved.

What are the equalizers (tools) in politics, and how these are manipulated when taking position and stands? Public support cannot be expected voluntary until the objectives are well understood, accepted, and supported. There is no point in resorting to hartal at the slightest pretext; or for the ruling party, to unleash repressive measures. The solid foundation behind any movement is not well publicized. This patronizing attitude by the leaders cannot enhance the development of good politics.

There are mainly two types of communication gaps in politics : one between the political parties (players); and the other between the politicians and the masses. The political circles of different hues have to overlap somewhat, some of the time, otherwise the communication gap will remain or widen. The politics in a free sovereign country is different from the politics for freedom or independence from foreign or autocratic rule (the 1971 phase).

In a homogenous society such as the one prevailing in Bangladesh, the high passion displayed is completely out of place, as the end goals have a broad undisputed commonality, which recedes and merges into the background, as solid foundation for building up of the developing structures, and later, infrastructure.

One factor: internal embedded impurities create disruptions, delays and noise. These are not secret, but escape formal identification for removal. The unofficial line that "the others are the sinners or culprits" is neither politics nor honesty. Only neutral critics have a role to play in enhancing the correct image of Bangladesh.