Monday, January 05, 2009

Victory for Secularism and Defeat for Mafia Rule

This was published in News From Bangladesh on January 4, 2009.

I am proud of the Bangladeshi electorate. The election results were truly transformational. It was a victory of secularism that Awami League still professes and defeat of the mafia rule that Bangladesh Nationalist Partly along with Jamaat-e Islami presided over during their last tenure. BNP-JI needed to be punished for their abuse of power and they were punished resoundingly. AL led a positive campaign containing a message for the future (digital Bangladesh, prosperous Bangladesh for the young etc.). BNP on the other hand tried to sow fear by crying "save country and save Islam". The voters saw through the absurdity of such rhetoric.

No one should be naive to think that all is going to be well from now on. Now that Awami League along with it's alliance partners have 2/3 majority, it has been given utmost responsibility. Power corrupts and AL certainly isn't immune from this. Their last tenure cannot be classified as squeaky clean by any stretch of the imagination. People expect a change of political culture. We may not achieve it fully in the next term but there needs to be a start. We expect the media to be the next government's harshest critic. We expect the government to return Bangladesh to the secular constitution of 1972. We expect trial of all war criminals. The likes of Jamaat have no place in Bangladesh's politics (sadly the reverse is true).

Sheikh Hasina has some formidable opponents. Islamic militants are out to kill her. It is not sufficient that the public at large is against their philosophies. Islamic militants must be crushed mercilessly. They are like cancer in the body of the country. And religion should be placed respectfully away from politics once and for all. Bangladesh should be restored to the country of Muslims, Hindus, Christians, Buddhists, people belonging to any other faith and those who do not belong to any. The tribal groups must be made to feel as equal citizens and they must be encouraged to participate in the country's body politic while being able to preserve their native cultures and languages.

We expect the government to create the precise environment that will attract domestic and foreign investment. Without economic growth rates of 8 to 10 %, substantial reduction in poverty will remain a pipe dream. Government should not be in the business of running businesses. We expect all state own enterprises privatised. We also expect the government to support and work together with reputed NGOs that have provided much needed safety net to those in need. It is upto AL to make sure that the transformational election results remain as such.

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