Time for Citizens to Step Up

by Mridul Chowdhury

Published in the Daily Star on Friday, April 27th, 2007:
http://www.thedailystar.net/2007/04/27/d704271503125.htm

I still remember the moment when I read in an email that Dr Yunus had announced his willingness to form a political party -- I was studying with a group of classmates who were left bewildered as I left the meeting abruptly -- too ecstatic to work on assignments in a confined room. I needed fresh air, and a moment of solitary reflection to internalize the new realities opening up in Bangladesh.

The source of my jubilation was the strong belief that Dr Yunus' entry into politics through forming Nagorik Shakti (NS) would undoubtedly usher in a new era of politics in Bangladesh; where the voices of those generally trampled upon would finally find an outlet, where new platforms would be created for progressive, honest and citizen-centric politics led by the youth and, most importantly, where the existing and emerging parties would strive to live upto the standards defined by NS.

Much to my continuing disappointment, Nagorik Shakti has yet to make a formal public emergence with clearly defined political ideologies. But the need for such a platform has increased many-fold, because of the recent attempts by the caretaker government to send to exile the leaders of the major parties of the country on the basis of flimsy justifications, and the swift reversal of their decision after pressure from the media and the civil society.

Many who initially embraced the new caretaker government's resolve to fight corruption, and welcomed the military's strong support in strengthening key democratic institutions, are now having second thoughts. What initially seemed like an effort to give power back to the citizens is now apprehended by many to be an effort to shift power from one group to another, leaving the citizens just as powerless and voiceless.

But what can we, the citizens, do under the circumstances? Should we wait to see which direction this caretaker government and the military take the country towards? Should we wait for our political leaders to take a stance? Should we wait for new parties like Nagorik Shakti to bring in fresh perspectives to politics? Perhaps not -- all of this calls for too much waiting.
We, the citizens, have to step up to make our voices heard through whatever media or platforms that we have access to. We have to express our expectations from the caretaker government, from the military, from the existing political parties, and also from the emerging parties.
We have to convey very strongly what we want, and what we don't want. Due to years of subjugation by corrupt and undemocratic rule, we, the citizens, seem to have lost faith in the fact that WE count.

The recent withdrawal of decisions regarding the exile of two leaders is a testament of the power of citizenry. We cannot just be silent observers as the "titans" battle for control of the country. We also cannot afford to be critics, just sitting on the fence blaming the leaders.
We have to get our hands dirty, open ourselves to possible criticism, and get actively involved in shaping the country's fate. Otherwise, our inactions may be taken advantage of by the current power brokers to guide the country into yet another phase of dictatorial control with "manufactured legitimacy."

Dr Yunus has certainly taken an important first step towards creating a political platform for voicing opinions about the kind of new Bangladesh that we envision. Although he has so far hardly used that platform, it is still up to us to take courage and inspiration from this to get more politically involved, whether through Nagorik Shakti, other independent parties or existing party platforms.

I eagerly look forward to seeing many more intelligent, well-intentioned and honest (young) people rise to the occasion, either through direct political mobilization or through finding expressions through various communication platforms. True democracy can only begin to emerge when there are adequate opposing political views and platforms to ensure a healthy environment of check and balance -- and I sincerely hope that the cleaning up efforts of the caretaker government and the military are geared towards that rather than installing yet another "set of rulers" in an undemocratic way.

No matter where we are, or what we are doing -- it is high time that we speak out, act, and try to establish that it is really the citizens of this country who should matter at the end of the day. And that we will not be just silent observers of yet another power-play among the elite "rulers" and "ex-rulers" that only tries to gain legitimacy through muscle power and fear of repression.