Staff Reporter :
Serajul Islam Choudhury, Professor Emeritus of University of Dhaka, has said that the politicians of Bangladesh could not yet come out from the autocratic mindset although the countrymen got rid of the autocratic ruler HM Ershad 25 years ago.
“Although it seemed that the country would make journey towards a new era after the fall of Ershad, it has not been possible even after 25 years. An autocratic ruler was dethroned, but the autocratic system has remained. The autocratic system is now instituted in the country,” Prof Serajul Islam Choudhury told the BBC.
The BBC (Bangla Service) broadcast the interview of the noted academic on Sunday on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the downfall of autocratic ruler Ershad, who quit power on December 6 in 1990 in the face of a mass upsurge. Prof Serajul Islam Choudhury said, “Ershad has re-established himself in the politics of the country. He is getting importance in the politics of the country. It proves that the autocratic system is still alive. The democracy, which is now being practiced, is no democracy. The people have no confidence in this democracy.”
The noted educationist said, the anti-Ershad movement is considered as one of the important chapters in Bangladesh’s history. But HM Ershad and his party later have been rehabilitated in the country with the political changeovers. “Where the democracy of Bangladesh now stands even after 25 years of Ershad’s topple?” questioned the Professor.
Prof Serajul Islam Choudhury, who was active in writing against military rule and autocracy, held the two major political parties of the country responsible for re-establishing Ershad in the politics. Both the parties want to vie to get the fallen autocrat on their side for vote purpose, he observed.
The autocratic ruler is also getting support locally, as he has some votes. The mindset of the two major political parties is thwarting the country’s progress and democracy, he said. The two parties have no reason to take importance on Ershad, he asserted.
The noted columnist said that there was no doubt that the topple of Ershad in 1990 played a significant role in the new journey towards democracy. But the journey has faced serious obstacles due to absence of fair politics. The rule of law, the rule of actual elected representatives and the peoples’ rights have not been established till now, he added.
About establishing democracy and democratic governance system in the country, Prof Serajul Islam Choudhury said, “Bangladesh has gone to the people’s sentiment for creating democratic atmosphere. But the country is not getting any way to make public opinion. It is now impossible through voting and also mass media. The public opinion is not getting any price in the exiting system of Bangladesh.”
He, however, said that people of Bangladesh are conscious and they will respond if they get call. But, the country has no the person who can make the clarion call.
