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Bangladesh in need of anger management therapy

Resiiad John Paul Sergeant
THE very genesis of Bangladesh occurred from violent and bloody oppression, for which the only means of survival was to meet violence with more violence. But in its infancy, rather than proffering a forgiving hand and choosing to seek justice while retaining a moral high ground, some in the nation resorted to revenge and retribution as detestable as the inhumane slaughter perpetuated by Pakistan. One cannot help but think that the present day propensity to violent retaliation was tragically born in the moments when Bangladesh lost its innocence -- the executions on Dhaka's playing fields set a precedent and a significant minority became prone to resolving internal problems through fights, torture, assassination and murder.
The all too frequent desire to descend into violent conflict is an instinct limited to a barbaric minority — but every time a student dies, or a child falls under the wheels of a vehicle, it is not the same small group of degenerates who rampage through the streets indiscrimi-nately torching the vehicles of those who have done no wrong, and deplorably beating upon anyone who opts against indulging the mob's enmity and indignation.
Violent rage is not an emotion limited to a specific section of people. From all backgrounds, all cultures, at all ages and in all professions there are those inclined to lose their own moral compass, sense of dignity, respect and humanity, be they rickshaw drivers fighting over a clash of wheels; vindictive husbands; imprudent students who sense injustice;
iniquitous police officers exerting dominance over the subaltern; or politicians who believe discourse unable to make a point.
Of course, Bangladesh is not alone in suffering violent outbreaks. The USA and the UK, who so regularly offer themselves up as bastions of "civilised" decency, and bulwarks tenaciously countering the degradation of human morality, have had their own problems. The US suffered riots in the wake of the Rodney King beating, and more recently the shooting of a black teenager caused London to erupt. But such instances are infrequent. Would two towns in the west ever go to war — as my village did with another -- because one man's dog bit another man's cow?
It can only be speculated as to how detrimental eruptions of violence in Bangladesh are to both international business interests and international political interests — but how keen would anyone be to invest time and effort into a country where tempers flare unprcdictably, and all good work can be undone in a few mad moments?
Many are the conversations that end with the disheartening claim, "This is Bangladesh; nothing can change." Are we really ready to accept that violence is simply entrenched in the Bangladeshi psyche? Unless Bangladesh takes remedial steps to alleviate itself of this debilitating problem it can never prosper. When will the silent majority, who do not engage in egregious acts, stand up and demand the right to step on to the street without apprehension and a fear that trouble is lurking just around the corner?
In many democracies the people will take to the street in large numbers to peacefully protest against an affliction blighting their nation. But I'd wager that any such demonstration demanding harmony in Bangladesh would be met by groups of unruly mobs relishing the prospect of beating down fresh meat. How many groups out on the street have a real issue or agenda? The unpalatable truth is they just enjoy a fight, and are willing to superficially adopt any cause if it senes to quell their incorrigible desire for confrontation.
Surmounting the problem must surely start in the schools with children at a young age. It is in the early years that children are most susceptible to influence, and therefore we must look to give our youngsters a social education which leads them to shy away from violence.
Whilst teaching in Sylhet I was shocked at the glorification of violence among some students. One class seven student had an affiliation with the student wing of a political party, and was present whenever any engagement with rival groups occurred, filming the events on his mobile phone, and posting the videos on Facebook. He freely admitted a disinterest in politics — he and his peers were just fascinated by the fighting. Did he fear the prospect of arrest? He assured me that the police didn't bother themselves with those on the government's side. A few weeks later, when he was caught, his father paid a "fine" — but this did not deter him from continuing with his activities.
If education in schools, to prevent further instances of violence, is to work, it needs to be backed up with a zero tolerance approach towards those apprehended in the course of violent action. Fines are ultimately futile — with situations akin to the fiery destruction of a dormitory at MC College in Sylhet, or students causing chaos in Mirpur -- far more burdensome reprisals are required. These criminals must be jailed, must be denied the chance to further education, and must be denied the opportunity to get high level jobs. Essentially, they must become social pariahs carrying an irremovable stigma. Rickshaw drivers who fight in the street must risk losing their livelihoods; police who exceed their power must be removed from their positions; and, if governments aren’t prepared to remove those within their administrations who utilise violent tactics, the rest of us must ensure they lose their power.
Such measures may be hard line -- but it is only the fear of such severe punishment that will make future generations think twice about their actions. The scale of the problem requires austere measures for posterity’s sake. The process must begin now; it can only improve the country's low standing within the international community, helping to build bridges both metaphorically and physically, as we will see a future generation of leaders who renounce violence fully and look to utilise strong reason and words, rather than humans compelled to inflict pain on their fellow man, and ultimately their country.
The writer is an International Law academic.