Maj Gen Abul Kalam Mohammad Humayun Kabir, (Retd), SUP, ndu, psc :
Five decades and a half ago, in historic 1971, our forefathers, stacked everything and fought valiantly to ensure our victory, freedom and sovereignty, right to life and liberty, country’s territorial integrity, social justice and equality, our dignity and honour, peace, progress, harmony, economic emancipation, and balanced development in all areas and sectors.
These are, supposedly, our nation’s lofty aspirations and hallmark ideals – the sacrosanct core values which cannot be compromised under any circumstances.
Bangladesh sacrificed millions of lives, ocean of blood, endured immense sufferings, and destruction, unprecedented in the history of the world, for her independence, and for those ideals and values. Now it is our ineluctable noble responsibilities to preserve them, at all cost, indeed, every inch of our blood-soaked and tears – wet land. But today that task seems increasingly daunting as we are faced with dire situations caused by multifarious external, regional and internal issues.
In the external domain, the pandemic, the Ukraine war, protracted conflicts in the Middle East, formation of AUKUS, enhanced global focus and rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific, super powers rivalries, lingering climate crises, global economic downturn, supply-chain disruptions, food and energy shortages, surging global inflation, debt tightening, etc have all been battering our country and economy sapping our strength and turning life difficult.
Internally, Bangladesh is now grappling with a state of pseudo and peculiar, if at all, semblance of democracy, suffocating political stalemate, wanton greed and rampant corruption, exacerbating governance, dismayed citizens, dwindling foreign reserve, scarcity of US Dollar, looming shortages of gas, power and energy, fragile financial institutions, divisive politics, above all, incessant spiral of price hikes of necessities etc.
Cumulatively, they have complicated and constrained our progress, lives and livelihood, ethos and unity, morale and morality, justice, social peace and harmony, indeed, our capabilities to breathe, live freely and grow, defend our core values and the country.
Regionally, the inherent ‘irony of Bangladesh’s geography, unfavourable geo-political realities, interminable rivalry between India and China – our strategic friends and partners, long civil war in Myanmar, unresolved Rohingya crisis, the issue of sharing the water of common rivers with India, huge trade deficits with her, India’s incessant penchant for taking advantages on the subterfuge of friendship and reciprocation of 71’s support, provision for her almost free use of our ports, roads and now proposed railways, reportedly her tacit influences in our election and governance, endless killing of our people at the border, etc have upset Bangladesh and its people.
The later sensitive issues are turned taboo, willy-nilly, and somewhat gray and intrigue; although they have serious strategic ramifications, deep psychological and emotional strings for us. Hence, suppressed simmering tensions, misperception and rumours abound, a propos of these, in absence of authentic information and official communication, transparency and accountability.
Nonetheless, our whole nation will have to bear the consequences of any settlement made by one omnipotent individual, keeping the nation at bay, wearing the façade of democracy. Bangladesh ought to avoid making any quick compact under any circumstances for obvious reasons.
Realising the gravity, people from all walks of life should unite to put pressure on the Government to go slow, act smartly and wisely for the sake of our country and people. Any resolution should be based on national consensus after meticulous research, threadbare debate and discussions, without any fear or favour, at all levels culminating in the national Parliament.
High power inter – ministerial bodies, different commissions, committees, expert consultation groups may be formed, armed forces – the professional bulwark of our security may be consulted, seminar, symposia, TV debate may be arranged and finally national referendum may be conducted for understanding the nation’s pulse and positions.
Statutorily, it is incumbent on the part of our Government to inform the nation before embarking on any strategic course of action, lest we forget our martyrs and the cost of our freedom and rather drift to blunder. Only well contemplated, inclusive, and beneficial transparent options conducive to our national interests and wellbeing can convince people to accept it with less reservation.
It is relevant to recall that India took 75 years to formally approve the exchange of 162 enclaves with Bangladesh. Our State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mohammad A. Arafat, the other day, assured the nation that India would allow us transit to Nepal and Bhutan as part of the agreement. If so, it would be wise to ask for opening up those facilities first, as a pilot project, before we open ours.
In this volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous strategic situation, we should shun the ‘attitude of denial’, nonchalant inactive mood, and compliance of pernicious exactions from outside on any ground and rather countervail forthwith for damage control.
Great leaders and sensible people, except the narcissists and megalomaniacs; or the tyrants and autocrats, reflect unwavering faith in democracy and truly believe that ‘two heads are better than one’.
Democratic countries formulate policies and plans after comprehensive analysis keeping the public informed and national interests in focus. Per se, to any democratically elected government, peoples’ aspirations, interests and welfare, country’s sovereignty and security triumph over riding all others.
Bangladesh for its good, should follow suit and engage in collective thinking, planning and synchronized action as a nation. As proud and patriotic citizens, let’s be obliged and act accordingly to serve our country and the people and be obligated as such, and not to any threats, compulsions, or greed.
Indubitably, we all shall depart; but our service and contributions to the nation, our saga and legacy shall persist making us history’s either hero or villain depending on our positions, priorities, activities and resultant benefits to our beloved motherland – Bangladesh.
(The author is a retired General, a diplomat, an academician.)
