Lawless in Dhaka

THE hope of a new dawn in Bangladesh, kindled by PM Sheikh Hasina’s ouster in August last year, lies extinguished today. The vandalism witnessed this week in many parts of this young country is nothing short of self-immolation — restless protesters are actually harming Bangladesh’s present as well as future while trying to erase its past. Houses of Awami League leaders were torched, while murals of the nation’s founder and Hasina’s father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman were demolished or defaced in several districts. It was apparently a backlash against the ex-PM’s online address, in which she urged her supporters to confront the interim government, whom she accused of seizing power in an unconstitutional manner. Unfortunately, the government is itself fanning the flames. Justifying the attack on Mujib’s Dhanmondi residence, chief adviser Muhammad Yunus’ press office termed it a response to Hasina’s ‘violent behaviour’.

The new rulers seem to believe that they can create Naya Bangladesh on the bedrock of hatred and vengeance. This disturbing mindset will only push the vulnerable nation deeper into chaos and instability. The government as well as protesters are obviously frustrated that Hasina continues to make her presence felt six months after she fled and took refuge in India. And New Delhi has stood its ground so far, giving the Yunus dispensation no assurance on the demand for her extradition.

The fresh spate of violence makes it evident that Hasina will not get a fair trial if at all she is sent back to Bangladesh. Moreover, Dhaka is making things worse for itself by antagonising New Delhi, which has been its all-weather friend right from the days of the 1971 war of liberation. Hasina’s long tenure was no doubt marked by autocratic excesses, but that is not reason enough to destroy the nation’s heritage. Bangladesh must rein in hate-mongers and law-breakers for its own good; otherwise, the onerous task of restoring democracy will become an ever-elusive pipe dream.