Another Bangladesh Is Possible

Murshadul Hakim Shuvro

Published on June 24, 2006

(1)Enormous crisis of the common people of Bangladesh is directly related with the crisis of the ruling class segment of the country. The popular and progressive constitution of Bangladesh which could have formed a democratic, secular base came under attack since the formation of Bangladesh as an independent nation state. The then AL government, in order to contain political dissent unleashed an aggressive terrorist campaign indiscriminately not only against �ultra� leftists but also against the popular constitution. By the name of nationalization, industrial base had been destroyed and a new plundering ruling class emerged. Parliamentarian form of government replaced by authoritarian presidential form.

(2)Tajuddin Ahmed --the undisputed leader of the nine months liberation war tried relentlessly to uphold the nationalistic approach and did put forward an anti imperialist economic agenda -- was indeed murdered twice. First time he was killed when the then AL government kicked him out of the office. Second time he was killed by the reactionary pro imperialist group both in an out of the government. Since then, pollution of culture and politics of Bangladesh only graduated deep in the society, at every successive tenure. Democracy, secularism, nationalism,
equality based society (metaphor of socialism) the very sprit of the liberation movement have been destroyed step by step.

(3) The popular � two economy theory�- economical and political injustice imposed by west on east Pakistan foiled the � two nation theory� based on religion and eventually after liberation formed � two society�- the small minority of very rich, corrupt and powerful and a vast majority deprived of every access to the state apparatus.This disparity, inequality and injustice put in question the very legitimacy of the liberation war. Ruling class and the existing social order and the whole system is collapsing and disintegrating very rapidly. The existing
socio-economic policy is inherently weak and hence unsustainable.

(4) The two main political party of Bangladesh made every effort to make an alliance - not only with anti liberation forces but also with antidemocratic force led by a corrupt, despotic General. Devastating consequence that follows are the emergence of religious fanatism and the destruction of democratic institutions.

Failure of the ruling parties are visible once again when the civil society came forward and formed a �citizen�s group for a vision for Bangladesh�. The most enthusiastic idea that came across is to welcome people to take part in politics, though some of the top brasses of the so called �civil society� are against politics.

(5) Only visible way to overcome this prevailing vicious, anti nation, anti people cycle is to take part in growing alternative politics against the plundering ruling class and �two party mind set up� and it�s the time to unite the nation again to establish the popular �72 constitution�the very sprit of the liberation war. The sooner we realize this better. Of course, another Bangladesh is possible.

USA