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People are possessors of state power

Mohammad Mohiuddin Abdullah
THE constitution says that the people are the possessors of state power, but in reality they are now powerless and helpless. Our perverted political culture does not allow the people to become real possessors of state power. Therefore, wrongdoers now act like masters while the real masters have been made servants. It is not a failure of the constitution, rather it is the failure of politicians who have become the so-called representatives of people and hardly exercise any authority on behalf of the mass people.
Under the existing system the prime minister alone is in a position to exercise unlimited executive power over the state without any hindrances, which could lead to dictatorial rule. An autocratic rule is thought to be anti-people, which has failed to understand their aspirations and fulfill their hopes.
The scenario becomes different only when the mass people get united. The roaring voices of the masses shake the very base of the so-called elected government and public representatives. The thunderous voices upset all political games developing behind the scene. There is nothing more beautiful than people getting united and raising their fists together; the united strength is no less than any weapon. No power can subdue such strength.
In a democratic system, people are the main source of power. But in our society some extraneous elements have dominated the electoral politics. The tendency in electoral politics in this society is to disregard the issue and instead concentrate on "extraneous" elements to gain popular mandate. All political parties' priorities have been wrongly placed on some otherwise significant issues of Liberation War and religion.
To the opposition party BNP, the trial of war criminals is not more important than the issue of restoring election time caretaker government. Distrust among the political parties has created the chaotic situation. Moreover, the fifteenth amendment to the constitution has not yet been accepted by the mass people as well as political parties. BNP is unable to de-link relations with anti-liberation force Jamaat. BNP wants Jamaat's support in the battle of ballots to defeat the AL-led electoral alliance. AL tried to get some benefit by slowing down the movement of opposition on issues like caretaker government, corruption, money laundering, electricity, gas etc. But now the general election is knocking at the door and the people are becoming united to resist authoritarian rule.
For the time being, the unprecedented protests have upset all the developing political games. All credit goes to the protestors who were successful amid huge difficulties in keeping the agitation above partisan politics. Now the ruling party and opposition BNP need to reassess their political strategies to honour the sentiment of the people, particularly the youth.
People want an election in which all parties will participate, and the ruling party AL should create such an atmosphere for upholding democracy. If the ruling party and BNP fail to correct themselves the people may take to the streets again, seeking a change in the current perverted political culture. And if the people do so, politics must go through a real change, reflecting what the mass people sincerely expect.
In the present situation we have to find solutions to all issues that divide us, particularly the upcoming general election, through dialogue and democratic means. All parties and citizens have a sacred and collective responsibility to work for the restoration of peace and calm; let us rise above all partisan and other considerations. This is the only way for the survival of our freedom and democracy. Peace can only be achieved on the bedrock of intellectual and moral solidarity of mankind. If conflict or violence begins in the hearts and minds of the people it is in their hearts and minds that defense of peace should be built.
The writer is an occasional contributor to The Daily Star.
Email: dr.abdullah.bd@gmail.com