US Footsteps in Parliament: History and Public Thought

The 250th Independence Day of the United States was celebrated with a grand musical performance at the South Plaza of the National Parliament of Bangladesh, organized by the US Embassy in Dhaka.

The event, organized in this unique architectural complex designed by American architect Louis Kahn, emphasized the diplomatic and cultural ties between the two countries.

However, this incident of celebrating the National Day of a foreign country in the main courtyard of the Parliament Building, the highest legislature of an independent sovereign state and a symbol of national dignity, has become an unprecedented discussion, review and criticism in the political and social circles of Bangladesh.

There is no established precedent in the history of international diplomacy of an ambassador or high commissioner of another country organizing a parade of his country’s army, receiving a salute, or celebrating National Independence Day on his own initiative in the plaza or courtyard of the Parliament Building of any independent and sovereign state in the world.

Typically, in diplomatic relations, ambassadors celebrate the National Day in the presence of bilateral guests at the embassy premises of their home country, the ambassador’s residence, or a designated international standard auditorium.

As a symbol of sovereignty, a country’s parliament or legislative premises are reserved only for that country’s own constitutional and state ceremonies.

International protocol experts consider the case of giving such an opportunity to the state or military symbol of another country at the center of the host country’s sovereignty as extremely rare and exceptional.

They believe that while there are precedents for joint parades or special exhibitions under historical military alliances or special bilateral agreements in some countries, it is outside normal diplomatic custom for a foreign embassy to hold a full-fledged national festival alone in the main plaza of the legislative building.

For this specific event at the South Plaza of the Bangladesh National Parliament, a special brass band of the 25th Infantry Division of the 25th US Army of the US Embassy performed music.

The presence of a foreign military band in the legislative building of the host country and the scene of saluting with their music carries a deep psychological and geopolitical message in the international arena.

Although historically, various symbolic arrangements have been made in different countries to demonstrate the influence of American or Western culture and the depth of diplomatic relations, international relations analysts see the direct use of such state facilities as an event of a different magnitude.

This incident has created intense scrutiny in the political arena of Bangladesh. The ruling party and its allies have remained silent on the issue.

On the other hand, the country’s main leftist and some nationalist parties have expressed strong anger, which they believe has undermined the sanctity of the parliament building, a symbol of the country’s sovereignty.

Sociologists are analyzing this incident in the light of the country’s cultural self-esteem.

According to them, a foreign military-style festival in the highest state square of an independent country can send a message to society that the influence of global superpowers is gradually dominating us.

Economists are analyzing the economic equations and trade agreements behind this diplomatic festival from various angles. Dissident economists have expressed concern that this is just a visible manifestation of subservience to multinational interests.

Athletes have compared the matter to national dignity and the spirit of raising the country’s own flag high in the global arena.

According to them, just as every victory of the country in the sports arena is a symbol of national pride, similarly, such exclusive dominance of foreign powers in the state premises disrupts that sense of self-respect on the playground.They believe that it was possible to keep the honor of their highest national establishment intact while maintaining international harmony.

The peasant community has evaluated this incident in very simple and straightforward language from their deep patriotism.

These hardworking people, who are intertwined with the soil and crops of the country, feel that it is difficult to accept that the flag or military band of another country will dominate the soil of this country acquired through bloody wars.

Although they do not understand any kind of geopolitical complexities, they see this grand ceremony of foreign powers in the main building of the country as an attack on their traditional self-respect.

The working class community is considering this incident as a kind of aggression by the capitalist superpower on the overall independence and sovereignty of the country.

According to them, the state assets and establishments of this country, built through the labor of hardworking people, should be owned only by the people of the country.

A section of the general public has expressed mixed reactions to the festival.Some are evaluating it as a global cultural gathering that showcases Bangladesh’s liberal diplomatic image on the world stage.

However, a large section of the population considers it a national insult and says that this royal concession for foreign embassies is very unfortunate when ordinary people do not have easy access to the parliament building.

The incident has created a stir on social media and thousands of posts and comments are being exchanged for and against.

A large section of netizens are expressing their anger and trolling the issue through various memes and posts, where they are also making sharp sarcasm as if they are trying to make Bangladesh a ‘part of a foreign country’.

On the other hand, many people’s walls are praising the performance of the American band and wishing good relations between the two countries.

The youth are observing this incident very closely and there are sharp differences among them.A section of the youth, who are accustomed to globalization and international culture, see it as a step towards improving relations between the people of the two countries.

On the other hand, the progressive and patriotic youth community has expressed anger against this arrangement and termed it as an insult to sovereignty.

The teenage community has observed this unique event with their restless and curious eyes.Although the illumination of the Parliament building and the music of the foreign band seem temporarily attractive to them, they are trying to understand the importance of the country’s sovereignty from the discussions of the elders and the debates on social media.

This event has given rise to a new concept in their minds about respect for national symbols and a different form of international relations.

The elderly community or senior citizens, especially those who witnessed the great liberation war of 1971 and the emergence of independent Bangladesh, have been the most shocked and angered by this incident.

According to them, playing military music and celebrating their national day in the Parliament building, which is the highest symbol of the sovereignty of independent Bangladesh, is an extreme insult to the blood of martyrs by a country that opposes our independence.They see this incident as a deviation from the glorious history of the country.

In conclusion, maintaining a balance between international harmony and national self-respect will be the biggest challenge for Bangladesh’s independent foreign policy in the coming days.

(The writer is an Essayist, Columnist. E-Mail Address: eddanwar@gmail.com)