Way out of abyss

By A. Islam, US
5 December 2005, 18:00 PM
In the fertile soil of our country weed grows quite naturally, if we do not take care of our land. The religious extremism of our country grew because we forgot to nurture our main crops, our human values, our sense of decency. I know that we are not ready to hear this now but we would be better off if we remember that foiling the extremism is not just a matter of law enforcement.

Or, may be it is just a matter of law enforcement. Applying law to everybody, everywhere, all the time, without exception. Our judicial system has become a joke. Our bureaucrats have become our lords. Our politicians have become the dispenser of largesse to themselves and to their sycophants There is no respect for law. A way out of this abyss is possible quite easily if we start respecting our people. If we trust them they will rise to the occasion. They understand their responsibility. Meaningful decentralisation of government is a must. The government has too much power at hand and that is ripe for abuse. Power should be distributed to the local government leaders who should be elected by the people. All locals judiciary and law enforcement machinery should answer to the local government in real sense. There should a legislative assembly in every district. Once the people have the sense of empowerment they will confront the extremism in earnest, right now the hapless bureaucrats are far removed from the people at large and completely clueless in their response to this national crisis.