Those who say that Bangladesh should have an inclusive and strong democracy are not to be seen as against the government or the people of Bangladesh. It is against the dignity of a free people not to have a government elected by the people in an honest and free election. Though unelected, the present government is busy with foreign trips to bluff our people that other countries accepting it as democratic government. As if our people do not know whether the government is democratic or not. What is not appreciated by those in power is that free election is needed to prove the government’s own popularity, prestige and legitimacy. The Prime Minister then misled our people that there would be an inclusive election later. The opposition has to prove nothing. What happened in the name of election on 5th January for changing the government was cheating. There is no credit in playing foul with the people’s election, but brings shame for the whole free nation. For continuing in power after defying the people and denying their voting right some Ministers have become too overbearing to do and say things unthinkable for a responsible government. In their understanding of things it is enough to show their loyalty to whatever power they think is protecting them. Certainly not our people. Our people have not broken away from Pakistan to be subservient to any other country and be told which election has legitimacy or not. To some elements such observation is not interference in the internal matter of Bangladesh. It is also not acceptable that any friendly country will be opposed to democratic commitment of our liberation war. Those who do not know the sacrifices our people made to live with dignity under democracy can act like a non-existent and unaccountable to be part of the people. Now it is no puzzle when members of the government, so unelected, boastfully announce in loud and pungent words that no power can change their government. Every government is a power but the power comes from within. So, to say that no power can change the government is not the language of a free country. That is the language of a government that does not depend on the power of the people.Japan is holding mid-term election to show respect for the sovereign power of the people. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is going to the people for obtaining fresh mandate from the people for improving the country’s economy. We are being told that people are helpless for changing our government. However disputed the election is, no question of holding midterm election is a consideration for occupiers of power. But to say that no power can change this government is not a show of confidence but nervousness. If they are truly that confident to go on the way, they are going on, then let them remain happy and not be so intolerant or ugly in public utterances making the nation small internationally, more than what, it already is.But others will not be so sure when a senior government Minister feels nervously disturbed to say most insultingly that he does not care ‘two anna’ minister like the State Minister of the USA Ms Nisha Desai Biswal. He was also offensive in his remarks against the US Ambassador in Bangladesh. Whether elected or not as Minister he is supposed to speak for the government. The US State Minister while visiting Bangladesh spoke in support of democracy as her government’s policy statement. Democracy is also a UN commitment. She also, in effect, spoke in support of the people of Bangladesh for their dream to be democratic. The people of Bangladesh fought for democracy and will have democracy. We cannot be so ignorant of not to know that democracy and human rights are not any country’s internal matters any more. Absence of democracy means violence, chaos and terrorism, not good for world peace and development.We do not know whom the Minister was trying to please? Not the people of Bangladesh which as a decent nation anxious to maintain decent relationship with all countries, more so with democratic countries. Even the Indian lobby in Bangladesh, though very active, has no reason to feel specially satisfied. Because the Modi government of India is too keen to come closer to the USA. The Indian Prime Minister has invited President Obama to visit India as the Chief Guest on their Republic Day celebrations. The unfortunate part is that our political leaders cannot see how they are being made irrelevant and isolated for Bangladesh and outside. At least, let them run a competent and honest government forgetting that corruption is useful and enough for the loyalty to remain in power.
