Political violence

In the country at present, there is a gross absence of political will which is the most essential requirement to curb violence

In the recent months there have been numerous reports in the media of political activists being killed or maimed either in internal conflicts or in clashes with opponents. Unfortunately, over the years, the political landscape of Bangladesh seems to have been engulfed by a culture of institutionalised violence and vendetta. The criminal elements have well and truly established themselves in politics and the campaign for influential party posts these musclemen are the deciding factors. As a reward for the services rendered by these elements, they are, in numerous cases, given a free run to indulge in extortion, drug peddling, and other criminal activities. 
In most localities it is these hoodlums who control the bill-board and cable television business. More alarmingly, a number of murders have been committed by these hoodlums over the division of money earned through dubious means. Genuine political activists are being marginalised within different political parties and getting frustrated. In fact, it is becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish between genuine political activists and hooligans, so thoroughly the latter have established themselves within the party ranks. When criminals take over politics the gentle folks’ survival is at stake. 
The idea that politics is meant to be a civilised affair apparently no longer holds true in Bangladesh. The people in general are feeling extremely insecure and apprehensive. Democracy, about which the political leaders never fail to utter inane platitudes, becomes devoid of meaning when rule of law is absent. The law enforcers, believed to be always under considerable political pressure, are finding it extremely difficult to carry out their professional duties. We notice a gross absence of political will which is the most essential requirement to curb violence. Despite repeated urging from the media little effort has been made to control the errant members of the auxiliary units of the different political outfits. Many believe that the democratic forces are unable to deal with the violent elements because they are involved in the phenomenon. Unfortunately sections of the political mainstream too are engaged in violent activities.  
It goes without saying that in this highly politically polarised country any kind of consensus is almost impossible to build. However, the political parties, if they do care about Bangladesh’s future, must agree that political violence is simply unacceptable. With the general elections only a couple of years away the thuggish elements of the political parties must be controlled.  Otherwise the people have to brace for even more violence in the future.                    

 

Political violence

In the country at present, there is a gross absence of political will which is the most essential requirement to curb violence

In the recent months there have been numerous reports in the media of political activists being killed or maimed either in internal conflicts or in clashes with opponents. Unfortunately, over the years, the political landscape of Bangladesh seems to have been engulfed by a culture of institutionalised violence and vendetta. The criminal elements have well and truly established themselves in politics and the campaign for influential party posts these musclemen are the deciding factors. As a reward for the services rendered by these elements, they are, in numerous cases, given a free run to indulge in extortion, drug peddling, and other criminal activities. In most localities it is these hoodlums who control the bill-board and cable television business. More alarmingly, a number of murders have been committed by these hoodlums over the division of money earned through dubious means. Genuine political activists are being marginalised within different political parties and getting frustrated. In fact, it is becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish between genuine political activists and hooligans, so thoroughly the latter have established themselves within the party ranks. When criminals take over politics the gentle folks survival is at stake. The idea that politics is meant to be a civilised affair apparently no longer holds true in Bangladesh. The people in general are feeling extremely insecure and apprehensive. Democracy, about which the political leaders never fail to utter inane platitudes, becomes devoid of meaning when rule of law is absent. The law enforcers, believed to be always under considerable political pressure, are finding it extremely difficult to carry out their professional duties. We notice a gross absence of political will which is the most essential requirement to curb violence. Despite repeated urging from the media little effort has been made to control the errant members of the auxiliary units of the different political outfits. Many believe that the democratic forces are unable to deal with the violent elements because they are involved in the phenomenon. Unfortunately sections of the political mainstream too are engaged in violent activities. It goes without saying that in this highly politically polarised country any kind of consensus is almost impossible to build. However, the political parties, if they do care about Bangladeshs future, must agree that political violence is simply unacceptable. With the general elections only a couple of years away the thuggish elements of the political parties must be controlled. Otherwise the people have to brace for even more violence in the future.