THE whole nation passed through a period of anxiety on February 25 and 26 because of the BDR mutiny. People running for shelter, movement of army, defiance of the BDR jawans -- all captured our minds and attention for 48 hours. Educational institutions were closed, shops and business were mostly closed as well, and normal activities came almost a halt. In other words, the magnitude of the crisis was such that it undoubtedly can be classified as a national crisis demanding a national response based on national unity.

Unfortunately, for the first 36 hours, neither the government nor the opposition felt the need to approach the other to discuss possible ways to solve the problem. The leader of the opposition finally made the laudable offer of assistance to the government in this hour of national crisis. Although by that time the crisis, which the government handled reasonably well, was almost over. However, if the PM could send leaders from the grand alliance to talk to the mutineers, it would not have hurt to invite someone from the opposition to be part of that team.

There are a lot of positive examples. When the Mumbai attack happened,

Congress invited BJP to discuss possible responses to the terrorist attack. The same happened during the attack on the Indian Parliament, when BJP (in power then) invited the Congress, and they took a common position on issues that were too important to be left to partisanship.

If they can act unitedly against external threats, why can't we expect our politicians do the same against internal threats? A bloody mutiny by a paramilitary force and restlessness and anger in another important constituency, i.e. the army, should be important enough to bring the two leaders together to decide how the nation should make its way forward from this crisis.

Had both the leaders appeared together, or at least issued a statement together, in their appeal for calm and restraint in the early hours of the conflict, imagine the positive and strong impact it would have had on the affected parties. The beauty of smart politics lies in knowing when to converge and when to diverge, a beauty from which this beautiful country and its warm-hearted people have been long deprived of.

This tragic incident gives us yet another opportunity for soul-searching as the nation comes into terms with the irreparable loss. BDR and the army are the protectors of our territorial integrity and continuance as an independent and sovereign nation. Given the tragedy that has happened, we will need political acumen and administrative dexterity to ensure that both these institution continue to function with the same professionalism as before.

It is one of those occasions when we expect both the leaders to come together and collectively lead the nation to the best of their abilities. May Almighty rest all the departed souls in peace and grant strength and patience to their loved ones left behind.

Syed Munir Khasru is a Professor at the Institute of Business Administration (IBA), University of Dhaka.