Bangladesh in a Critical Political Crisis

Bangladeshi politics is facing a crucial moment. Once again, behind the scenes non-democratic forces are posturing under the name of the “third force”. The third force is making a thrust because the people are frustrated by political decisions made by both the government and the major opposition party. The people are caught between the proverbial “rock and a hard place”.

The passing of the 15th amendment of the constitution in the parliament has set up the stage for potential political violence in the country. Several opposition political leaders including Begum Khaleda Zia have made disparaging remarks such as throwing the amended constitution into the trash bin. On the other hand, the PM Sheikh Hasina has adamantly stated that "The 15th amendment is a ‘safeguard’ for the constitution and democracy as well. We have ensured through the amendment that none could be allowed to grab state power by unconstitutional means,"

 In this situation the country and its people are innocent bystanders to the violent skirmishes between the rival cadres of the political parties. Citizens of the country are anxious for their security of life and other basic needs despite the political turmoil.

 To make things worse, the law enforcement agencies are acting in their usual questionable manner. One of the law enforcement force’s elite units- Rapid Action Battalion or RAB has been accused of preplanned killings since its formation.

Can the two political parties overcome their longstanding rivalry to hold meaningful dialog s?

The bitter rivalry is almost impossible to overcome by the party leaderships because of the historical nature of the conflict. The seeds of the conflict between the two parties germinated when the killers of Bangabondhu Shiekh Mujibar Rahman received indemnity from the founder of the current opposition party and the then president Ziaur Rahman! Moreover, the grenade attack on Sheikh Hasina (Bangabondhu’s daughter) on August 21, 2004 is a great barrier to hold or to sit for a dialogue. However, the two parties did join forces in their opposition to the rule of General HM Ershad in the 1980s. Unfortunately, since then, there has been no love lost between the two heads of the respective political parties and their ardent followers.

Is this conflict a result of some Western machinations?
 Some leftist pundits argue that the acrimony between the two parties serves the interest of the capitalist West which has only one agenda- to acquire our natural resources. Keeping the nation divided into two camps is the best way to achieve that target. Our leaders, who lack a long term vision and are supported by the so called intellectuals (possibly in somebody’s payroll), are simply executing the Western game plan. Our political leaders neither have the capability nor the willingness to counteract the Western aggression. Young potential leaders are deliberately allowed and encouraged to get corrupted. This is a viscous cycle that engulfs us. Our political leaders are not concerned about our next generation such as the babies born in the 2000 millennium. Ensuring a bright future for this new generation appears to be a lost cause with our politicians.