Shifting sands

It is increasingly clear that the BNP is trying to reach out to both Hindus and India, amid reports of a steady distancing between the party and its erstwhile partner, Jamaat-e-Islami

- SHANTANU MUKHARJI

Bangladesh is still struggling to restore law and order or bring some semblance of governance. A high-profile set of advisors has not yet come to any positive notice or been seen to be doing anything that would instill confidence in the public at large. There is only high-voltage rhetoric with almost hollow content, ostensibly for public consumption, and nothing substantial is yet visible.

Disturbingly, Wahabi hardliners are continuing their acts of thoughtless destruction of Sufi and Shia shrines in many parts of the country, while law enforcement agencies watch as mute spectators. Video recordings show the desecration of places of reverence of other faiths.

Dhaka University, once renowned for its academic brilliance, churning out some of the finest brains on both sides of Bengal, now seems to be under the control of elements with jihadi inclinations, and utter lawlessness prevails on the campus. Very recently, a mentally challenged young man was first videotaped while eating and then brutally murdered on the university premises. It was unthinkable in the recent past that such mindless and grotesque acts could occur in this famous centre of learning. It looks to be a free for all.

The army has been empowered with magisterial powers for six months and, in reality, the police is completely passive, yet there are no signs within the government to ensure that the law-and-order situation remains sound, and for the confidence of the general people, law and order machinery at least looks effective and deterrent. However, that appears far from being happening.