Simmering “discontent”
The dictionary describes 'simmering' as bringing slowly to a boil. When this is coupled with 'discontent' the authorities should beware. We have already had a couple of manifestations of 'simmering discontent' in recent days that caused immense damage to national property and prestige. I am giving 4 more flash-points simmering fast.
1. The privileged have amassed wealth beyond imagination both here and outside by methods that are blatantly illegal. They include Bank Defaulters, Tax Dodgers, Political Touts and the like. Out of thousands such, just a few are being hauled up. The general feeling is, they too will be let off eventually to enjoy their ill-gotten gains after getting a slap on their wrists. In contrast, millions of poverty stricken people are being repressed and tortured for unpaid loans of small sums. Is this fair, is this just?
2. Most top moneyed people either pay no taxes or declare nominal amounts. Yet year after year they get the facility of paying a pittance to whiten their black money. This time, it is a mere 5%. In contrast those law-abiding people who regularly pay their taxes sometimes at the highest rate of 25%, get another 10% deducted from their savings. Is this fair, is this just?
3. Most main roads have been cleared of slow-moving vehicles to give easy passage for more than a 150,000 gas-guzzling monstrosities (GGMs), driving empty/half empty and causing horrendous traffic jams on city roads every day. Yet millions of rickshaw pullers, their families and service providers are debarred from earning a hard but honest living to appease those whose show of ill-gotten wealth is obscene and questionable. Is this fair, is this just?
4. Yesterday some elders were honoured on the occasion of UN day of old people. I hope they did not have to walk to collect their awards as they seemed to be car-less people. Children's Day is also imminent. Will they also have to walk to their functions as 99% of our children and their families do not have cars. What an anomalous country we live in! We have all the rights to walk on any road we want without let or hindrance, but the moment we sit in a rickshaw, we lose this right. Is this fair, is this just?
I have lived 75 years without blemish. I still work 8-10 hours a day for my living while commuting daily by rickshaw from my rented flat in Niketon to office in Banani (I have no mobile phone, much less a car or a mansion). I have paid my taxes regularly for more than 50 years and what do I get in return another 10% deducted at source from my modest savings. This is not fair, this is not just ! Is it not time that I got some relief?
In the last two months, the Mohakhali Road was 'declared' rickshaw-free. I have been summarily forced to walk about a kilometer in searing heat or driving rain twice a day (I have undergone By-Pass operation). Thousands of men, women, children, old, disabled, sick, infirm and those with small loads have to do the same, dodging death from the raucous and racing vehicles and their ignorant drivers/insensitive owners. Is this fair, is this just?
On the First Ramadan on my way home at 4.30 PM, I finally rebelled. I told the cop that since he would not allow my rickshaw on the road and no footpath is available I would walk in the middle of the road. I did so and 3 others joined me. Next day, I did the same and this time more than 25 men, women, children, a disabled person and gray-beard musallis coming from Asr prayers joined me voluntarily in the middle of the road.
I have desisted thereafter because I did not want anyone to be hurt. We have lodged our protest and now Mr. Deputy Commissioner, Traffic, it is your turn to think seriously whether you serve just a few or the vast majority who make up this nation. What will happen when this 'simmering discontent' boils over?
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