Looming threats: Can this limping democracy survive?

An anti-terror demonstration in Dhaka following 8/17 countrywide bomb blasts

The government cannot defend as to why it failed repeatedly to show cogent reasons as to why the people cannot be informed about the culprits of blasts of August 21, 2004 or Habiganj or Shah Jalal Mazar blasts. Are we to conclude that either some persons in the administrations are involved in or some organisations beyond the control of the government are at the back of these incidents or our Home Ministry is incompetent. Incidentally, it was expected that the Home Ministry will be placed under a seasoned and competent minister when Mr Altaf was removed. Placing such an important and sensitive ministry under an inexperienced and junior minister reveals government's lack of power of judgement. By resorting to extra judicial killings in the name of 'containing criminals' and ignoring the incidents of fundamentalists' onslaughts on Ahmadiyas or adibashis etc the government has made the state law and order woefully messy. But not taking actions against the crimes committed by the fundamentalists' organisations (made by due to political consideration) BNP leaders' have done harm to party's image as a secular and moderate one where freedom fighters are claimed to be valued members.

The game of politics runs through compromise and adjustment. However, we do not see this among our major parties like Awami League and BNP. The present polarisation is causing immense damage to our march toward building a democratic culture. The statement of some leading persons of BNP that country's development cannot be the sole responsibly of the government and all the people should participate in such activities may be partly true. Because we want to see also the capability of the BNP-led government to attract participation of the common people. Unless proper environment is created such statements happen to be meaningless sham signifying nothing.

Only a short time ago the US State Department showed concern about the rise of fundamentalism in Bangladesh. The EU members are worried about the security of minorities. The government repeatedly denied any danger of rising of terrorism in Bangladesh. It would be interesting to see as to how it categorises this incidence (simultaneous blasts at more than 500 spots) which is rightly regarded as warning for much more dangerous incidents in future. In a parliamentary democracy the incumbent government cannot ignore the opinion or advices of the opposition. In such a system there is hardly any scope for behaving like a dictator even though it may hold absolute majority in the parliament. If it does it gradually loses its capacity to realise correctly the actual situation in the country.

By increasing the number of police personnel, or forming riot squads, or improving logistic support of the police or forming anti-crime RAB the capability to directly face the criminals can be raised. But how can we ignore the intelligence part of the system? The ministry must chalk out plan to improve it with the assistance, if necessary, from UK and USA. However, without cooperation from the common people, without gaining confidence of all (that the incumbent government is their government) it is hardly possible to contain the criminals determined to commit crimes in the name of religion or otherwise. Let us appeal to all the people of Bangladesh irrespective of their religion, caste or creed that we must be careful about protecting our young and weak democracy for which so much of blood has been spilled.

Whatever Jamaat want to say about the blasts sounds funny. It is almost beyond any doubt that Jamaatul Mujahideen of Bangladesh (JMB) has perpetrated this crime may be with direct or indirect assistance from some Islamist militant groups in the Middle East. Due to unethical motive of Ershad regime the fundamentalists started gaining strength. After the oust of Ershad regime they continued to be stronger due to confrontational politics of AL and BNP. In fact the AL regime of Sheikh Hasina had more opportunity to take strong measures. The present government depends much on the strength of Jamaat and we do not expect any strong action against Islamist fundamentalist by the BNP-led government, particularly because of ensuing national election.

At the same time continuation of laxity will certainly result in strengthening of these elements. This will affect our relationship with western donors, our foreign trade and foreign investment. Even our relations with neighbours may cool down because every state is nervous about activities of fundamentalists in neighbouring countries. Our role in SAARC or BIMSTEC may also face challenge. Even ASEAN members will not appreciate Bangladesh's leniency toward fundamentalists. However, we hope that after consultations with senior ministers and some seasoned politicians of BNP the prime minister will find out some way to contain the extremists without doing much damage to BNP-Jamaat alliance.

Tackling religion based political parties is certainly a tricky job. Whatever we say about the secular attitude of our common people it is a common knowledge that our people have some sort of respect for the madrasa educated. An ordinary police constable may at least think twice to treat harshly madrasa students or people connected with religious institutions. Generally speaking, a Muslim child starts his education with lesson from the Holy Quoran. His guardians pay respect to the 'Hujur' (a moulvi who teaches the holy book). Thus respecting a moulvi starts from childhood. He does not bother much about the real character of the moulvi. As the learning in madrasa is not modern a madrasa student does not know what is liberalism. As such it is easier to rouse his fanaticism.

For the sake of controlling fanaticism or religious extremism all the political parties should cooperate with each others. It is time that both BNP and AL stop accusing each other. We are sure that both the parties want to establish democracy in the country. With emphasising less on the role of certain people in the liberation war, at the moment we have to be more vigilant against the anti-democrats determined to impose their rule to push Bangladesh a few centuries back. The major political parties should unite on one point -- saving democracy from fanatics.

From the statement of the state minister for home affairs it is apparent that the ministry is at a fix as to how to tackle the incoming danger. In fact the whole of the cabinet is looking toward the PM for future course of action. We may appreciate the statement of the leader of the opposition on her realisation for cooperation with the government to face terrorism. However, by calling hartal on 20 August, 2004 AL has exposed its desire for utilising this incident for political purpose.

BNP fought so long for establishing democracy. It is thus not correct to blame them as anti-democrats. AL fought for independence and secularism. Thus one may reasonably hope that all major political parties will not lag behind in saving democracy at this critical period.

ABMS Zahur is a retired Joint Secretary.