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Scare-mongering in our politics

MA. Hafiz
INITIATING a discussion in the Parliament on the occasion of the second anniversary of the UN-declared Democracy Day, the prime minister warned the nation of an unexplained danger from a "certain quarter" that is trying to scuttle democracy in this country. She hinted at the possible recurrence of upheavals, such as Pilkhana carnage that took place early this year, as well as the military adventurism that took place in the past. However, except the government's double dilemma -- the reckless extortion and never ending lawlessness --and its failure to stop it, there is no evidence of any quarter trying to destabilise democracy by its sinister actions — let alone conspiring to foil it.
Against this backdrop, the PM's
harangue on the danger for democracy couldn't but seize the nation with a measure of trepidation because her warning --to put it politely - is indeed ominous, and the people cannot afford to undergo an ordeal of the magnitude hinted at by her. It is more so when the warning comes from none other than the prime minister, who is the most authentic source of information. It can, therefore, be safely assumed that she couldn't have mentioned it without certain proof of the looming danger. Then why doesn't the government preempt the conspiracy and bring the conspirators to book before they strike?
It is usually self-defeating to make a sweeping accusation that leads only to wild speculation, which will not be helpful in unveiling the intrigue. If anything, the PM's warning has shaken the confidence of the nation, and the flabbergasted peo-
ple are left to grope in dark to sift the fact from the rumor. As a result, the fog of confusion will further intensify.
For any party in power, scaremongering is a favourite stratagem to cover up its weak points and failures. All ruling regimes of the country did their share of scare-mongering for hushing up their bungling. It's more so for the incumbent AL government, which has not fared well in office for the last nine months and is in search of scapegoats to shift the blame. As a convenient ploy to divert public attention from the nation's burning issues, the government has now raised the ruse of conspiracy against democracy. It is as if the people are a bunch of morons and do not understand the trick.
The idea is to keep alive a fear psychosis in the public psyche to hide the fact that it was taken for a ride by the party in the last election. The fact is vividly reflected in the unfulfilled promise of bringing about a change in the country's lot.
The PM's critique of the last caretaker government and the military dictators of the past have been bitter, but contradictory to her plea for unhindered democracy. One such dictator is the AL's ally in the ruling grand alliance, and it was the prime minister who claimed the credit for bringing in the regime that one-eleven
produced. Moreover, the military takes power from the civilian leadership when the party is unable to exercise power even if installed legally.
As far as statement that credible elections were held only before 1973 and after 1/11 is concerned she may opening a Pandora's box because it has many facets and perspectives. But yes, the election that brought the AL to power early this year was indeed a credible one and the party can be justly proud of winning such an election.
All told, observers find the PM's statements on the virtues of democracy more as sound and fury signifying little, if anything at all. The people are now more interested in her government's ability to deliver, not to scare the nation. Even if there is a threat to democracy the people of the country, who sustained it through the vicissitudes of time, can care of it and will not wait for a warning to be issued by the PM -although she did plav a remarkable role in defence of th/J people's voting right during the regime of the four- party alliance. The leadership, particularly in power, should give the nation hope and inspiration, not gloom apd cynicism.
Bng (retd) Hafiz 6 former DG of BUSS