Dr. Muhammad Tariq
Friedrich Nietzsche’s famous saying “In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule’ applies to the current situation in Bangladesh. A nation internationally known for its docility and minding its own business, is on the streets once again, fighting relentlessly for their political rights on their own soil.
Enjoying a shared history, both pleasant and unpleasant, Pakistanis have been keenly following the situation in Bangladesh. Reaction in Pakistan to the ouster of Awami League’s government led by Sheikh Hasina has been mixed.
Opinions from different shades are emerging. Some believe change in Bangladesh, is a victory for democratic values which will usher in a new phase of democracy, peace and prosperity in South Asia. A new stage has set in for Pakistan- Bangladesh relations which have remained lean during the last 15 years.
Showing the door to the most powerful leader, the longest serving female prime minister in the world and daughter of the father of the nation is more than just a movement for quota system’s reform. A struggle for the democratic rights of the people, the massive protests is a testament that Bangladeshis are one of the most politically conscious people in South Asia. Freedom is an essential component of their lives, more important than economic on which the former prime minister had scored many successes.
On the opposite extreme, people believe that the sudden removal of Awami League’s government, is not only a huge blow to Sheikh Hasina led Awami League government but dishonoring and pulling down of statues of the Father of the Nation, implies negation of Bengali nationalism and reversal of 1971. The Second Independence, a term used by the caretaker Prime Minister, Muhammad Yunus for the removal of Hasina, is independence from Awami League and its pro-India autocratic government. Serious blow to Indian influence and consequential enhanced clout of China in the region would not be entirely reversible. Attacks on Hindu minority, the hard- core supporter of Awami League has also created alarms in the Indian circles.
Current situation and trial of former prime minister:
Will the fluid situation after the formation of caretaker cabinet and mounting pressure of public on a few heads of departments appointed by the former government, to step down also force the army chief, a relative of Hasina, to resign? The student leaders outrightly opposing military rule have appreciated armed forces’ neutrality. Despite a chequered past, military takeover in Bangladesh has not always been smooth due to internal opposition within the army.
The deposed prime minister has announced her return before the planned elections. Government of India has not been requested for her repatriation as yet. Whether she would be put on trial on her return for the recent killings has yet to be decided. She is a perfect fit to get a taste of her own medicine, in response to treatment meted to senior opposition leaders especially Jamaat- e -Islami for the 1971 killings.
Impacts on the region:
Overall new developments in the SAARC region obligate politicians that they can’t sidetrack people’s genuine problems by feeding them with false sense of patriotism and playing with their sentiments. Hasina and her associates’ anti-Pakistan rhetoric has done more harm than benefiting her.
The current uprising in Bangladesh can’t be entirely delinked from earlier struggles in the SAARC region against two dictatorial regimes of Rajapaksa family in Sri Lanka and false democratic facade erected by Ashraf Ghani and his allies in Afghanistan. Both the countries were facing the same kinds of economic and political problems. This may have snowball effect in other South Asian nations, particularly Pakistan which is reeling under the worst economic and political crises. Alarm bells are also ringing in New Delhi where Modi took oath for third term, five months after Hasina’s fourth consecutive oath.
Pakistan- Bangladesh relations:
Pakistan must mend fences with Bangladesh, enhancing goodwill by people to people contacts. During Hasina’s rule bilateral relations were stalled. The Awami Leaguers remaining hostage to 1971 event, had been hawkish towards Pakistan. Issues of formal apology, trial of war criminals, repatriation of Biharis etc. were the drivers of Pakistan- Bangladesh relations The existing no contacts with Bangladesh sets the stage to enhance our relations with Bangladesh, with zero opportunity cost.
Lessons to be learnt by Pakistan:
A few months ago, Hasina could hardly have imagined that in repeat of history she would soon be fleeing Bangladesh and enjoy Indian cholay bhatooray. The events unfolding in Bangladesh provides food for thought to Pakistanis, how to obviate an emerging scenario like Bangladesh. The political witch-hunt of the opposition by Hasina ‘s government and consequent reaction echoes the saying of Ali Murtaza, the fourth caliph of Islam that a society can survive with heathenism but not without justice.
Pakistani leadership needs to take cognizance of human rights situation, especially in dealing with opposition. Merit based system must replace cronyism, nepotism and favors lavished on the basis of party affiliations. Only love and dialogue can win over people and not suppression and coercion.
Generation Z and the growing Generation Alpha living in their own bubble don’t pay much regards to their parents, let alone Father of the Nation. They need shelter, food, internet, recreation, jobs, water, health and education. Only these amenities can guarantee younger people to mind their own business and stay away from crowd, which according to psychologists is not the sum of their individual parts. This impairs the ability of the crowd to distinguish between right and wrong, which in the legal sense is insanity.
(The author is a retired ambassador from Foreign Service of Pakistan)
muhammad.tariqcg@gmail.com
