Let's make it work
Maulana Bhashani addressing a public meeting.
Bengalis have always been renowned for their astute political conscience and activism. During the Raj, Bengalis formed the backbone of the political and cultural establishment that led the British to leave the subcontinent. And then came the Pakistan era where politicians like Sher-e-Bangla, Maulana Bhashani, Suhrawardy and the great Bangabandhu had successfully challenged the might of an establishment made up of aristocrats, bureaucrats and a powerful military. The Bengalis founded their own nation as a people's state that enshrined democracy and secularism as fundamental principles. Yet as tragic as it may be, Bangladesh today would betray to great extents the Bangladesh that had been dreamt of during its emergence. With fifteen years of dictatorship and the last two years of quasi-military rule coupled with a notoriously corrupt polity, democracy in Bangladesh has never been able to institutionalise and deliver to its citizens, most of whom live in abject poverty. Even more pathetic is that the war criminals of 1971 still hold their influence and promote terrorism. With the upcoming election being around the corner, my earnest appeal to all the stakeholders is to make sure that democracy is restored and sustained. Politicians must establish a functioning parliament and tackle corruption effectively.
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