Journalism of Courage
Democracy is not in danger in Bangladesh. It will be if the BNP does not participate in the polls
Khaleda Zia,chief of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party BNP,has a record of playing the sovereignty-in-danger and democracy-in-danger cards whenever her political fortunes plummet. Since the sentencing of the Jamaat-e-Islamis leaders for crimes against humanity began,nobody has done more to damage democracy and social harmony in Bangladesh than the opposition alliance led by Zia. The BNPs declared boycott of the January 5 election came after months of bombing,rioting,arson,murder of policemen and civilians,attacks on minorities unleashed by the Jamaat. The siege laid by security forces on Zias residence ahead of the march on Dhaka she had called in order to force the postponement of the election,followed by the detention of almost 700 people since Friday and Sundays clashes in the capital,could lead to another escalation on the streets.
It cannot be forgotten that the opposition,particularly the Jamaat,started this cycle of violence. Moreover,Hasinas attempts to overhaul ties with India through an economic and security partnership as well as by demolishing the terrorist infrastructure that threatened Indias security must be placed in the larger context of peace and stability in South Asia. Her success against the Islamists is a regional imperative. Her failure could see a Talibanised Bangladesh jeopardising the subcontinent. Zia should note that democracy will be endangered only if the BNP does not participate in the polls. On sovereignty,Bangladesh has been secure since 1971. That could change only if the fundamentalists she is allied with came to dictate matters.
