The coalition's handling of terrorism is faulty
Over the last two months or so many of the perpetrators have been hauled up and are under police custody being interrogated. Daily meetings of high powered bodies are held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs towards assessing of the progress made in locating and arrests of terrorists including deciding on further strategies. They say much progress has been made, while they have decided to keep quiet on the proven and alleged role of the madrassahs in breeding religious terrorists all over the country.
The PM the other day went to the extent of proudly declaring that no amount of pressure would be able to create a rift between Jamaat and BNP. The PM and the leaders of the ruling coalition are constantly talking about a particular party creating chaos in the country, but my feeling is that it is BNP and the ruling coalition which by their actions are fanning that process by adding fuel to the fire. Who would trust an administration that has little or no respect for the country's judiciary? Everyday we find the ruling coalition in direct violation of our constitutional provisions or a high court directive.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Coming back to the issue of tackling terrorists let me say this, if the ruling coalition has progressed two steps it has certainly gone back three steps. It has to this day certainly failed to gain any real measure of confidence of the public, it is seen to be doing a lot, but is it actually doing what needs to be done? All the actions of the government appear to be nothing but an exercise in damage control. Why is it that the government has not banned a single Islamic NGOs funded by the Saudis and the Middle Eastern countries?
Not a single terrorist caught so far has either been charge-sheeted or brought to trial. More than a year has passed since the last bombing on the main opposition rally in Dhaka. The entire investigation is still shrouded in mystery. If this is the level of government's resolve in tackling terrorism, then may Allah save this country!
I have often wondered as to why there is such heightened security measures during all opposition meetings and gatherings where as we see mid-level security measures covering public meetings or gatherings sponsored by the ruling coalition. It looks as though a silent understanding exits between the perpetrators and their masterminds. Of late the bubble has burst one too many times, the terrorists have also claimed the lives of the coalition's own people. After all it is Frankenstein that killed his creator.
PM's call for the dialogue with the opposition political parties to arrive at a consensus for effectively dealing with rising incidences is without a doubt a good move. However, except for a handful of parties of lesser or no consequence, the opposition has declined to sit for a dialogue with her. I am sad at the development but not surprised.
Just consider this, as reported in the media, the last dialogue the PM had with the Jatiya Party there was no discussion held about the alleged role of the Jamaat in the rise of terrorism. This alone is reflective of the nature and the purpose of the dialogue. If the goal is gaining legitimacy of the ongoing process then why call for a dialogue? The process of the dialogue should be completely free from any precondition or predetermined agenda attached to it.
Rightly or wrongly there exist a number of knotty issues that have seriously damaged the basic minimum trust between the ruling coalition and the mainstream opposition. It is all very fine to accuse the opposition for the deteriorating state, but the major responsibility in restoring that trust lies with BNP. If the opposition behaves in an unreasonable way, it simply cannot serve as an excuse for the BNP and the ruling coalition to behave in an equally irresponsible way.
Alongside policing and other measures, the ruling coalition must also gear up the public awareness campaign against religious terrorism. Whatever little being done appears to be reactionary in nature and stage-managed. In the modern day world you cannot win any battle social, political, or even religious, without the pro-active cooperation of the media, no matter what. The ruling coalition, therefore, as an integral part of its long- term strategy, should forthwith revise its regressive policies against the media with one that is just and fair.
I do not know, but of late I have this feeling that BNP and the ruling coalition is more interested in silencing the voice of the opposition and the people rather than tackling terrorism.
I believe the crux of the problem with BNP and the ruling coalition lies in its attitude that is full of arrogance and self-deception. It may sound far-fetched but I must admit that I have this feeling that the overall attitude of BNP and the ruling coalition towards the prevailing situation in the country is similar to that of the Pakistan central government as it existed during those nine months of struggle for our freedom.
It has the perfect recipe that will not only sink itself but also bring down the entire nation. I sincerely hope and pray, both for my sake and for the country at large, that I am proved wrong in my contention.