The country is moving towards election and, at that moment, like a bolt from nowhere, we have had the abhorrent shooting of a bright young man who was not only vocal during the July-August movement of last year but also represented a new breed of youth imbued with the “Bangladesh above all” spirit.
Sharif Osman Hadi’s passing away in Singapore ends the year on a note of grief and that feeling is compounded when we were witness to unspeakable mayhem resulting in the burning and vandalism of two media houses.
Those who have followed the intricacies of Bangladesh’s socio-political structure, it’s a known fact that during the last regime, several media bodies, often at the behest of their owners, blatantly trumpeted the government’s narrative, no matter how distorted and specious it was.
The fact remains we have come a long way from fallacious explanations, and while the country moves towards a brand new chapter with the impending elections, reckless acts only play to the hand of those who want to see Bangladesh slide into instability.
Like most of Bangladesh, we are shocked, saddened and distressed by the death of the young leader -- vivacious, firebrand, and unyielding in his belief.
People like Hadi galvanized millions on the roads in Aug 2024 and it’s through their ideals that Bangladesh began to hope for a future where leaders will represent the people and not be engrossed in self-aggrandisement.
Savagery not the answer
What we saw on Thursday night defies all principles of civility.
If Osman Hadi had been alive, would he have endorsed such an action?
Accepted, there are quarters in Bangladesh who remain loyal to a fallen force and will make attempts to derail the country but the answer to them is not through savagery but through strategic action through the right channels of the established system.
Many may feel the right course often is too lengthy and the quickest way is to vent the anger, but impetuous acts only harm the image of the country.
The ramifications of such deeds continue to reverberate.
When the much-revered editor of a widely respected daily paper, known for his strident criticism of all establishments in the past which veered towards authoritarianism, was harassed and heckled, democratic aspirations of this nation received a terrible blow.
As media people, we were stunned, shamed.
As a journalist and a leader of the Editors’ Council, he had to be at the scene to demand the safe exit of journalists locked inside the buildings set on fire.
The need to save human lives and to ensure everyone’s safety eclipses all ideologies and grievances.
In times of war, the aphorism, eye for an eye may be applicable but even if we apply that saying to the current situation, punishment should only be reserved for those who carried out the condemnable act.
Countless people work in an establishment and an attack on that entity is an assault of their livelihoods.
They have families, children, and all the day-to-day related complicacies experienced by all of us.
These acts of mindless vandalism, propelled by irrational slogans, only jeopardize social cohesion. “With elections less than two months away, the shooting plus the eruption of anger seem more like an attempt to push the country towards the brink.”
Bangladesh’s image takes a blow
News outlets across the world will interpret the incidents as they seem fit.
Several, unsurprisingly, will try to portray Bangladesh as a nation taken over by zealotry.
Maybe that was the ultimate motive, reflects Shahnoor Islam, a social-observer, adding: “When these images are played overseas, accompanied by partisan and fallacious narratives, a completely wrong picture will emerge.”
“In the long run, this will impact investment and pander to those whose main aim is to present Bangladesh as a dystopia,” he added.
Deeply perturbed and distressed by the death of Hadi and the ensuing episodes, Mazhar Islam, a recent graduate from Dhaka University, said: “When the nation is poised to hold a proper election in a long time, such acts will only deter international observers.”
Agreeing with Mazhar, another observer, Prema Islam, contends: “In the last few elections, held under the previous regime, transparency and accountability were absent, but this time, with a large number of international observers coming, the national polls promise to be open and free.These acts appear more like a coordinated attempt to put the upcoming elections under question.”
“What is needed at this moment is unity plus a determined stance to counter any attempt to sow discord in society,” observed Arpita Chouhan, a Dhaka university fresher.
For the authorities, the main task ahead is to ensure the apprehension of culprits and extradition if necessary.
There is a belief that the alleged assailants crossed the border and, if that is so, then the onus lies on our neighbour to act with the best of intentions.
From the other side, we are hearing, on a regular basis, rhetoric about support for free, fair peaceful polls where the will of the people will be reflected.
If that is so then, such words need to be supported by swift action.
Someone needs to walk the talk, instead of talking the talk.
Towheed Feroze is a former journalist.
