I was at a postgraduate class yesterday, given by Dr. Syed Anwar Husain, professor of history at Dhaka University.
Right at the start of his ‘Introduction to Bangladesh’ he said, “what I am going to tell you is not intended to please or annoy anyone. I do have a political ideology but I’ve never been loyal to any party, because I think there is no party in Bangladesh – just groups of people who trade on politics.”
I agreed with him and I’m sure most of the other students did too.
Most citizens think that both the ruling Awami League and the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party care little about their interests.
On March 7 the Awami League staged a huge procession in Dhaka to mark the day in 1971 when Sheikh Mujibur Rahman called on the nation to fight for freedom. But the rally was more a prestige-building exercise than an attempt to pay respects to the man who was the father of our nation.
Next Monday, the opposition will hold another big rally to protest against various government policies and actions. People are afraid that the ruling party will do everything to foil the event and violence will ensue. I’ve heard many people say they will be staying at home to avoid possible clashes.
The harsh reality is that the whole concept of benevolent politics was destroyed when some disgruntled army officers allied with political leaders to kill Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1975. I
It was just one in a series of assassinations that effectively wiped out all the sincere and progressive leaders.
After 40 years of independence, real democracy in Bangladesh is still a million miles away.
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