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A few days after the BNP government was formed, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman held an interaction with editors of private television channels in the country. At the meeting, I reminded him of the past and made a humble request as the then editor of DBC.
I said, “Your father, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, and mother, former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, believed in multiparty democracy as well as press freedom. As their worthy son, you have also fought for years to restore democracy. We hope that, like your parents, you too will believe in independent journalism.”
Interrupting me, the prime minister said in a tone of complaint, “The media did not treat the two people you mentioned well.”
Somewhat taken aback, I replied, “Although our predecessors may not have treated you well, I hope we, the editors of the present generation, will treat you well. We will highlight the positive activities of your government and, at the same time, offer constructive criticism. However, we hope that you will not become angry with journalists and the media for criticising your government constructively, as previous fallen governments did. Instead, we hope you will address the problems concerned. This will benefit the government, the country and the people.”
In his concluding remarks, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman reassured us, saying, “We have already instructed the authorities to resolve many problems based on reports and articles published and broadcast in the media.”
His remarks reassured us, the television editors, that day. Thank you, Prime Minister. During the six months of the government’s tenure, the media have been practising free journalism. In light of the assurance we received from the prime minister, I would now like to make some requests to the government as the editor of a print media outlet regarding the country’s current situation.
The BNP government has completed only six months in office. The people have many hopes and expectations from the new government. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is, of course, trying to prioritise the fulfilment of those aspirations. This is also evident from the implementation of the government’s 180-day programme.
Several of the prime minister’s initiatives have already received praise. By personally arriving at his Secretariat office at 9am, the prime minister sent a message that everyone should attend work on time. This has encouraged government officials and employees across the country to report to their offices by 9am.
At the same time, the government has begun implementing the BNP’s 31-point election manifesto and the July National Charter. It has also started implementing various pledges, including the family card, farmer card and canal re-excavation programmes.
It is not possible to resolve all the country’s major problems within six months. However, the country needs time to recover from the “brink of the abyss” after years of misgovernance and move forward. At the same time, the new government needs to launch crash programmes to address people’s essential day-to-day problems quickly.
Although the government is taking several coordinated measures to resolve the crises, it must also take a firm and vigilant stance against potential saboteurs who could put the government in a difficult position. There is no alternative to this if the country is to be governed smoothly and peacefully while facing multiple challenges.
At present, there are conspirators both inside and outside the country, as well as within the administration, who are seeking to undermine the government’s success. Political rivals, including the ousted Awami League and the opposition parties in parliament, will naturally leave no stone unturned to put the government in a difficult position.
At the same time, leaders, activists and professional supporters of the ruling BNP are becoming involved in conflicts and clashes in various places instead of remaining united, often over attempts to establish dominance. If they are not stopped quickly, opposition opportunists will exploit the situation.
We believe that, in dealing with such a “difficult situation”, the prime minister, responsible ministers and MPs, as well as party leaders, must act with foresight and determination, keeping a close eye on developments from all sides.
Ordinary people want peace, order and stability in the country. They also want a rapid improvement in the worrying situation surrounding the deterioration of law and order, electricity and fuel shortages, and inadequate fertiliser supplies.
Years of authoritarian rule, looting and money laundering left the economy in disarray. Governance also collapsed amid a fragile law and order situation and widespread corruption and irregularities in every sector, including electricity and energy. The previous government also subjected opposition leaders and activists to harassment and torture through hundreds of thousands of false cases. Whenever these incidents come to light, they remind us of the dire state of human rights and the rule of law in the country.
Now, after coming to power with a landslide electoral victory following the July uprising by students and the public, the BNP is under intense scrutiny.
What is the BNP government doing? What are ministers, MPs and party leaders and activists doing? Many people have already begun comparing the performance of the BNP’s previous government, the Awami League government and, above all, the interim government.
Conscious citizens do not want to assess the BNP’s success or failure just yet. But ordinary people easily forget the past. For them, the current situation is what matters most.
At a recent meeting of the BNP parliamentary party, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman urged MPs to explain to the people the current law and order situation, the electricity and fuel crisis, and the shortage of fertiliser supplies despite adequate stocks. Now we will see how effectively they can explain these issues to the people.
Public concern over the law and order situation is currently increasing to some extent. Although there have been no incidents of police torture, enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings or similar abuses by law enforcement agencies during the government’s six months in office, more than 2,000 people have been killed.
Of them, 75 died in political clashes, most of whom were members of the ruling party. More than 21,000 cases have been filed over various crimes. Open killings, shootings, snatching and extortion have not declined.
Without overall security, domestic and foreign investment will not come. Without investment, employment will not grow. The two are interdependent.
According to the latest Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics figures, the country has around 2.7 million unemployed people. If employment opportunities decline, many of them may become involved in crime.
If any quarter tries to create anarchy or sabotage in these areas, the authorities must identify them quickly and bring them to justice. The government needs to demonstrate “zero tolerance” against such activities.
It is important to remember that human rights are endangered when public safety and the rule of law deteriorate. The rule of law, justice and human rights serve as safeguards for the state, society and people.
There have been widespread cases of corruption and irregularities in the electricity and energy sector over the past 15 years. Experts, as well as the government, have said that the current government is not responsible for the energy crisis.
The situation has become more complicated because of the war in the Middle East and technical problems at LNG terminals. Most businessmen who owned private power companies during the previous Awami League government were supporters of the party.
A private power company owner known to be close to former state minister for power Nasrul Hamid Bipu recently told the media that they would increase power generation using fuel in reserve if the government paid its outstanding dues. They also want to meet the prime minister.
There were outstanding payments under the previous government as well, but power producers did not reduce generation because of delayed payments. Why, then, are they now demanding increased generation subject to payment? Whether there is an element of sabotage should be examined based on intelligence reports, and the government can take necessary action accordingly.
We cannot survive even a single day without electricity and fuel. But fuel has become extremely expensive because of various global crises and the war with Iran. LNG is not always available even when buyers are willing to pay.
Despite this, the government must ensure electricity supply and energy security. Instead of relying solely on the Middle East, it should develop alternative plans.
The government has launched crash programmes to increase electricity and energy production. It should take all necessary measures to ensure renewable energy security.
At the same time, the government needs to finalise its policy on fuel imports through private entrepreneurs quickly. Private entrepreneurs should be allowed to import fuel oil on a competitive basis alongside BAPEX.
It should also investigate whether any vested interests are misleading the government and delaying decisions in this regard.
Although the government says the country has sufficient fertiliser stocks, who created the fertiliser shortage?
Some have blamed fertiliser dealers, while others have provided information suggesting that the sector has fallen victim to syndicates. Most dealers were reportedly appointed during the Awami League government, and many are now absconding to avoid political cases and arrest.
There have also been media reports that officials of the Department of Agricultural Extension attended invitations at dealers’ homes.
Why, then, is fertiliser not being supplied to farmers on time? Who is responsible? The government must investigate and take action against those genuinely responsible.
History shows that governments have faced serious difficulties after angering farmers. Many governments have suffered politically in the face of farmers’ movements.
Therefore, the government needs to investigate whether any quarter is politically conspiring through a fertiliser syndicate to create public discontent and take appropriate action.
The BNP government also faced difficulties over electricity and fertiliser shortages in the past. Major protests over electricity and fertiliser in Kansat, Shonir Akhra and Gaibandha resulted in deaths.
The Awami League exploited those movements for political gain. This time, too, the possibility of attempts to create public discontent by exploiting electricity, fuel and fertiliser shortages cannot be ruled out.
The government is struggling to deal with the country’s law and order, energy and fertiliser crises. Yet, during the BNP’s founding anniversary celebrations, party leaders and activists openly engaged in clashes and violence in six districts.
Major clashes took place among party activists in Patuakhali, Barishal, Munshiganj, Chattogram, Rajshahi and Narayanganj. During a clash between two groups in Chattogram, a young man was seen openly carrying a heavy weapon.
At the Supreme Court, too, government-backed lawyers from two factions have engaged in protests and scuffles.
At a time when party leaders and activists should be working together in the field to help the government tackle various national crises, they are instead becoming involved in clashes and violence over attempts to establish dominance.
These activities must stop. The party leadership needs to control its leaders and activists with a firm hand so that the government is not embarrassed by their misconduct under any circumstances.
The government should not limit disciplinary action to expulsion. If anyone commits a serious offence, the authorities should set an example by handing them over to law enforcement agencies. This will help strengthen public confidence.
For example, a case has been filed against the driver of the civil aviation and tourism minister for driving on the wrong side of the road in the capital. People want to see such examples.
The law must be equal for everyone. That must be the foundation of the rule of law.