EDITORIAL

Bangladesh:

Ominous Portents

INDEED ominous developments are unfolding in our neighbouring country – Bangladesh. As we go to press, according to media reports, the former prime minister and Bangladesh Nationalist Party chairperson, Ms Khaleda Zia, has agreed to go into exile in a deal (her son arrested on corruption charges will be released to accompany her) with the military-backed caretaker government. Khaleda Zia had ended a five year term as the prime minister in October last year. Under the Bangladesh Constitution, a pre-election interim government takes over the supervision of the elections to be held within two months. Readers will recall following convulsive controversies over the electoral rolls and the charges of attempts to rig the election by the outgoing government, widespread protests occurred leading to the virtual abandonment of elections.  A state of emergency was declared on January 11 by the army which is still continuing. The military-backed caretaker government, though proclaiming to create conditions for holding of  free and fair elections,  has refused to announce any time table, so far. A clear indication that elections are not around the corner came from  a verdict of the Bangladesh High Court which on March 27 scrapped the electoral rolls and directed the newly-constituted Election Commission to prepare fresh electoral rolls. 

Earlier, Sheikh Hasina, president of the Awami League Party, had been charged with murder and extortion while she was away in the United States of America. Subsequently, the military-backed caretaker government has debarred her from returning to Bangladesh. The Awami League and all other Left and democratic forces were in the forefront of the struggle for restoration and strengthening of democracy in Bangladesh. By both these actions it is clear that the military-backed caretaker government is decimating the political parties, and hence political democracy.

The army-backed caretaker government  has declared a so-called crusade against corruption and has made it known that  until this is completed, elections cannot be held.  This appears to be a virtual repetition of the tactics  adopted  by  the undivided Pakistan  Army General, Ayub Khan. In abrogating democracy and imposing a military dictatorship, Ayub Khan had  advanced the slogan of `basic democracy’. The people of today’s Bangladesh  had suffered immensely with merciless attacks on their  language and nationality aspirations under this military dictatorship.  Even after the liberation of Bangladesh, the people had experienced, twice, military  designed democracy under Gen.  Zia Ur Rahman  and Gen. H M Ershad. Once again, the people of Bangladesh are being subjected to a military rule that is proclaiming  a ‘corruption free democracy’. 

While making drastic changes in the anti-corruption laws, more than a hundred political leaders have been arrested. While holding no brief for corruption, the so-called crusade against it cannot be a pretext for  abrogating democracy. This is precisely what is being done where a ban has been imposed on political and trade union activities. Almost all the offices of political parties are under lock and key since the declaration of the state of emergency.

In the  meanwhile,  globalisation’s agenda under the directives of the World Bank are being ruthlessly carried out. Nationalised banks  are being corporatised.  The Chittagong Port has been privatised.  Electricity charges have been hiked. Customs and excise duties on imports have been significantly lowered.  All measures  that will gladden the hearts of  advanced capitalist countries and imperialism are being  implemented.  With such fresh inroads for maximising profits, it is little wonder  that the Western capitals  are encouraging the  abrogation of democracy in Bangladesh.  In this context, it should also be noted that nearly 60 per cent of Bangladesh’s army is involved in international peace keeping operations where the soldiers draw salaries enormously higher than domestically. In order not to disturb this  arrangement,  the Bangladesh army  would think many a time before  taking any action that may upset imperialism and the advanced capitalist countries.  A situation that is mutually beneficial and convenient to both imperialism and Bangladesh army.  Once again, the hypocrisy of the West  on their commitment to democracy and human rights is nakedly exposed. 

Clearly, the people of Bangladesh are bracing themselves for a long drawn struggle to restore democracy and  protect  the rights and interests of the common people. The earlier military regimes were defeated. But at a tremendous cost of human life and suffering. Once again, people’s will and democracy will, surely, triumph.  In this struggle of the Bangladeshi people, all democratic and peace-loving Indian neighbours express their solidarity.