Can we be non partisan and still take a stand on an issue? Its a sign of political maturity when one can indifferently judge the facts and based on sound reasoning, can come up with a clear stand on any given issue. Some times it may favour one party, some times the other party. But as long as one can defend their position, there should not be any reason, why we should we be afraid of taking a stand. Over the past few days, with endless chattering about Bangladeshi politics, some have decided to do exactly that whereas some important elements of the society has decided to be vague about their position in the fear of being labelled partisan. As the political crisis in Bangladesh moves on to extra time, I think it is time that each of us clearly understand what’s at stake, why we are where we are and what is the cost we are willing to pay. Based on this understanding, each of us has a responsibility to take a stand – a moral stand on the current crisis — and be ready to fight for it. Below are some observations on the different influential elements of the society and how they are doing on taking a stand.

Role of business community:

There is not one single day when I don’t see the business community leader Mir Nasir Hossain express his concern about the ongoing political stalement. He repeatedly requests and meets the political leaders to “take steps” to resolve the crisis and stalement and remove the uncertainty that will help their business. Today Mr Fazlul Huq of BGMEA “urged” the political parties to resolve the crisis. Yet, I find it hard to fathom that why they never ever state exactly how the crisis can be resolved. Why is it so difficult to take an objective stand for these various groups? Do they think a credible election can happen as things they are now ? If not, why? If so, why. They need to say it clearly that steps A, B, C should happen and political parties need to agree to go to the election after that. But that has not happened. We never see any specifics or any concrete statements from any one from the business community. Since they are getting hurt quite badly with all the uncertainty, I find it very perplexing that they never move beyond making endless meaningless empty statements.

Role of Dr. Yunus

I was going to term this section as the role of Sushil Samaj (civil society) but I figured the man of the moment deserves a special section. Dr. Yunus is known for his can do approach. He is known for specific implementation plan and making things happen. He is known for delivery. I would have nothing to say if he never wanted to comment about partisan political matters. But since he is such an influential figure and he is making political statements, his comments deserve dissection. It seems that in the fear being labelled a partisan, Dr. Yunus has decided that he will give very simplistic type of solution to our political problem. If not, then how can we explain his comments about his desire of going to “election in a festive mood” with all the crisis around regarding the election. When Dr. Yajuddin unceremoniously decides to take over the government, in stead of saying anything about it, he gives him an “A+” for his good start? Or even how do we explain Dr. Yunus’ giving the president a blank check to be stern about implementing what he thinks is best for the country when the very question of the president’s neutrality has been suspect with the chequered track record of his unconstitutional mode of assuming the office of the caretaker advisor. I can’t explain it. But I suggest, Dr. Yunus offers us some specifics for a change. I expect him to take a MORAL stand on what’s right rather than what’s DIPLOMATIC. Dr. Yunus, why don’t you please give an interview and tell your exact opinion about a way out of this impasse? Why don’t you tell us if CEC Aziz is capable of delivering a fair election? If you have an opinion about the specifics, why not share it with the public? With your integrity, we know the stand you take will be a stand that is based on reason, logic and good moral standing– not partisanship or self interest. If you give your objective opinion on the specifics, this will influence the public opinion tremendously and hopefully will push one of the political parties to back down. Dr. Yunus, you are one of the very few who can speak your mind without a lot of people questioning your motive. Why not please use it to help us out of this impasse? While its nice to listen to wishful thinking about clean candidates and “festival elections”, without specifics on how to implement them, frankly speaking, with all the chaos around, this “let-them-eat-cake” type of solutions are getting a bit annoying.

Role of educated middle class and elites:

Today NTV reported that the general public is very weary of violence and chaos. We all are. There is nothing new about it. However, what would have been new was to find out what the general public thought about how this crisis could be resolved. How come no one is asking the public’s opinion about some specifics? Do people perceive the caretaker government to be neutral? Do people feel that a free election is possible under the current scenarios? Do people have confidence in the election commission? Do they think it is even important to have an election?

Some members of our educated elites are either responding with a shrug saying they don’t care about the dirty, petty politics as if they are much holier than that. I find it also very disturbing that some people are saying “let’s just resolve this – one way or the other. It doesn’t really matter.” Is it really the case? Does it not matter whether there is a good election? Does it not matter whether there is some accountability of the government? Are we really happy with ANY election or are we looking for accountability and a FAIR election? These questions can automatically lead the public conversation in the logical direction of finding a solution. More importantly even if these conversations are taking place, are we hearing those conversation in the media? In stead, we are made to hear endless statements and demands from people about an abstract magic peaceful solution to the existing problem. As much as the opposition has failed to connect the current movement to the daily issues of common people, the educated middle class need to clearly understand what’s at stake in this election. They need to understand clearly what’s the consequence of not holding our representatives in the government accountable by not having a fair election. Based on that judgement, they need to clearly take a stand on this issue and prepare for the price they are willing to pay to attain the goal of that stand. Similarly, regardless of the what the skeptics say, they need to stop that shrug and realize that politics affects each of them and without taking a stand, they will not be able the address the core issues that are plaguing us on our day to day lives.

Amid all the darkness, there is light:

For a change, some “Budhdhijibis” have moved on from giving press statements to hands on actions. I have found the role of some in the civil society extremely commendable in this crisis. In particular, the Nagorik committee and SUJAN are taking clear stands on the issues and they are providing clear guidelines on how the current crisis can be resolved. Praise worthily, papers like Daily Star and Prothom Alo are also taking a clear position and highlighting the work of civil society. They have now provided quite a number of ways on how the issue of level playing field in the election can be addressed. They all agreed that the election commission needs reform and they have given clear guidelines about how the reforms can be made and how the commission can be made effective. But till this date, there has not been any visible move on the government’s side in implementing them. I believe going forward this group can have a tremendous role in ensuring transparency in the coming election and a lead by example in showing that one can be non-partisan, without being afraid to take a stand on the right side of an issue. If we have the best interest of our country in mind, then regardless of which side is benefited by our stand on one issue, we should not be afraid to express it. Consistency in this matter in the future will earn us credibility which we will be able to use on any major crisis in the future. So, please, next time, you go in front of the TV camera to say “we want a peaceful solution to the crisis?”, may be you too can stop and think whether that statement, an obvious one, is adding any value to resolve the crisis. Rather take a stand on the right side of the issue and help shape the public opinion to push the parties to settle for the JUST solution. We owe it to our country.