Media reports say the interim government had to deal with more than 200 agitations in last six months. Every day one or the other party is protesting by blocking roads in Dhaka with their demands.
As a result, the suffering of the people in the capital is intensifying. But retreating from a decision under unreasonable pressure is ultimately a manifestation of the government’s weakness in decision-making.
It is true that almost all sections of the people were disenfranchised during the deposed Hasina regime except for the special groups associated with power.
After August 5, they started protesting with demands. Many of their demands are fair and reasonable.
But the way they are protesting by blocking the road and holding people hostage, how logical is that? Because almost every day there is a road blocks in Shahbagh intersection, one of the capital’s busy center points. Besides, there are important hospitals like PG, Bardem in its surrounding areas.
The latest incident we saw centered on the decision to impose fines on owners and drivers to stop the chaos in the city’s CNG-powered auto-rickshaw movement.
BRTA has taken punitive measures to implement CNG-powered auto-rickshaw fares and deposit rates, but the government has had to back off in the face of protests by owners and drivers, holding the people hostage.
It may be noted that just 11 days after the interim government assumed office, a group of examinees entered the secretariat and protested, and several HSC examinations were canceled in the face of their demands. It was a wrong move for the new government in policy and strategic considerations. May be the government was forced to take such a decision under pressure as the law and order situation was fragile shortly after the ouster of the fascist regime. But why will the same trend continue even after six months?
Indeed, people want an end to the disorganization and anarchy that is going on in the public transport system, including CNG-run auto-rickshaws. They expect that the government will take a people-friendly decision in this regard and take effective initiatives to implement it.
If a public-friendly decision is not implemented or retreat from any decision under unfair pressure, then disappointment is bound to arise in them. It also sends the wrong message to the public about the government’s position. Thus, there is no alternative to being prudent and strict in implementing government decisions.
