2007 was not a good year
for the people of Bangladesh. While an Emergency was imposed in January,
depriving them of political rights due to circumstances that were
perfectly justified then, lack of subsequent reforms has rendered the
past year a painful experience for most particularly when they have been
subjected to multiple disasters. The stringent measures taken by the
caretaker administration mainly run by former bureaucrats with backing
by the military has not provided succor to the common man.
After violent squabbles of the political parties, the Caretaker
Administration (CA) was welcomed in Bangladesh in January 2007. A year
later, perceived failure in political reforms has given increasing voice
to opponents to target the regime. Some change should however be
expected in March when the Election Commission (EC) is scheduled to
finalize reforms though it has yet to hold consultations with the
Bangladesh National Party (BNP). The first stage of elections will be
held in city corporations of Dhaka, Rajshahi, Khulna, Syhlet, and
Barisal. This may require lifting restrictions on indoor politics. The
Awami League is planning to hold a working committee meeting in January
even as the Chair person is facing trial in courts. However disunity
within political parties is preventing them from taking firm steps to
register with the EC and under take internal reforms.
There are strong murmurs of protest from the teacher and student
community in the Universities, particularly in Dacca and Rajshahi. A
speedy trial court of Rajshahi sentenced four Rajshahi University (RU)
teachers to two years' rigorous imprisonment for violating Emergency
Power Rules (EPR) 2007 by bringing out a silent procession on the campus
on 21August. They were later released from the Rajshahi central jail on
presidential clemency on 10 December. Dacca University teachers wore
black badges in protest and held an emergency general meeting on 9
December. Charges were framed on 11 December against four senior
teachers and 15 students of the University in one of the two cases filed
against them in connection with the August 20-22 campus protests.
The political situation in Bangladesh thus continues to remain extremely
complex as the government has not been able to raise confidence in
political parties as well as the people that it would not attempt to
manipulate polity. The process of political reforms in Bangladesh has
been slow. BNP and Awami League (AL) have thus been emboldened to issue
threats of agitation to free their detained chiefs. While the AL remains
united, the Party is considerably weakened with the leader Sheikh Hasina
continuing to be under custody. The possibility of a revolt in the Party
in case any of the many offences against her are proved cannot be ruled
out.
The BNP is the other major party which is facing a split. A dialogue
with the same is essential. The EC instead of attempting to increase
this split as alleged in many quarters by pre-empting invitation to the
break away faction should have let the things take a natural course for
determination of the leadership’s hold on the party. Now it is caught in
a piquant situation.
Managing the high profile corruption cases against political leaders in
the country is likely to pose a problem for the Caretaker Administration
in Bangladesh given legal complications and the many loop holes that can
emerge in such cases which are never water tight. Now that the judiciary
is also independent, there could be limited controls on the same. Thus
there is a need to watch the situation carefully in the months ahead as
it may impact the Elections as well as post elections scenario in the
country with credibility of the political leaders vis a vis the
Caretaker Administration at stake.
Food assistance to Bangladesh is critical as it is facing a major
insecurity on the food front. Indian assistance will facilitate the
nation to stave off the crisis and maximum rebate will add to betterment
of Indo Bangladesh relations. At the same time it is essential to ensure
that there is limited politicization of this issue in Bangladesh as
there are reports of some elements not favourably disposed towards India
blaming New Delhi for poor quality of rice. SAARC states need to evolve
a disaster relief model for mutual assistance devoid of any rancor to
benefit from each others capabilities. For instance in this case, though
India had a major potential of providing assistance to Bangladesh during
Sidr, Dacca perhaps choose to seek assistance from the United States
which moved forces from far away Gulf delaying relief.
But relations between India and Bangladesh are better than what they
were in the past decade or so. The Indian Parliament expressed grief at
the devastation caused by Cyclone Sidr, in a resolution on 19 November
and observed a moment of silence. This was the trigger for the Indian
External Affairs Minister, Mr Pranab Mukherjee’s visit to Bangladesh on
1 December. India had rushed immediately required relief assistance like
medicines, ready-to-eat meals, blankets, tents and portable water
purifiers worth about Taka 11 Crore. The Minister was taken on a tour of
some of the critical areas including Barisal. India will also develop 10
severely affected villages of Southkhali Thana under Barguna district in
Bangladesh. India will provide 20, 000 tonnes of rice. In addition 5
lakh tonnes of rice will be sold to Bangladesh at a concessional rate by
early February 2008.
All well meaning South
Asians would hope that with Nepal and Pakistan already on the political
brink, Bangladesh does not fall in the trap of instability and a viable
democratic government with a strong desire for governance takes the seat
of governance in Dacca by December.
January 27, 2008
Image under license with Gettyimages.com
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