We must remain alert to conspiracies
Conspiracies against the country and its government continue. They began right after the fall of the fascist Hasina government and her cohorts’ flight to India. This multi-pronged, multi-party conspiracy has targeted both the interim government and, now, the government elected by an overwhelming majority. The Awami League, notorious as a fascist and murderous party, is trying in various ways to embarrass, damage, and discredit the country and its government. Its friend in India, the Modi government, continues to shelter and support it in every way possible, with a stance that is entirely opposed to Bangladesh and its current government.
This is not merely our own view but the observed opinion of all observers. The elected government has just passed the six-month mark of its term, a period that has proven extremely difficult both internationally and domestically. The country and the new government have suffered the direct and side effects of the Iran war. There has been an outcry over the shortage of fuel oil, gas, and electricity. A fertilizer crisis has emerged. Factory production has been disrupted. There are fears of adverse effects on agriculture.
Prices have risen, and inflation has increased. People’s suffering and harassment have exceeded all limits. Handling this situation would be difficult for any government. The fascist government left behind a fragile economy, and managing the situation with this economy is nearly impossible. The government is doing everything it can to improve the situation. This is a precarious time for the government, and conspirators are trying to exploit exactly this moment. The activities that Awami League leaders and activists, banned in the country and fled to India, have already shown in Delhi — activities the Indian government has supported — have worked directly against Bangladesh and its government. India has also shown the audacity to interfere in Bangladesh’s internal affairs. Bangladesh has given a fitting response to all this. There is no disagreement among observers that India’s reckless conduct is the reason Prime Minister Mr. Tarique Rahman’s visit to India has, for now, become uncertain.
There is a strong likelihood that conspiracies against Bangladesh and its government are intensifying, and the evidence supports this. Prime Minister Mr. Tarique Rahman himself has raised the question of whether autocrats who remained “hidden” during the previous authoritarian era are now, from within that hidden state, fueling anarchy in the country. This question deserves serious attention, since the autocrats have consistently either incited anarchy or attempted to create it themselves.
Many will recall that during the interim government’s tenure, Awami League leaders and activists tried to destabilize the government and create anarchy in the country under names like “Battery Rickshaw League,” “Bonchito League,” and “Ansar League.” The interim government managed to contain these attempts, with the leaders and activists of the July mass uprising playing a crucial role that day in resisting such Awami mischief. One Inqilab report noted that battery-powered auto-rickshaws are taking over the capital’s streets with a resolve for violence. The same report noted that, although its activities are banned, the party’s musclemen and foot soldiers have begun becoming active again under various names and formats, with at least 25 percent of battery-rickshaw drivers linked in some way to the banned Awami League. Among motorcycle riders under the “Pathao” app, too, there are reportedly thousands of drivers who are activists or criminals of the banned Awami League.
It is no secret among informed circles that the police bear the greatest responsibility for the shooting and killing of students and the public during the July mass uprising, with many officers and members still absconding. A section of the police remains sympathetic to the ousted fascist government and opposed to the current one. IGP Mr. Ali Hossain Fakir recently said that fewer than one percent of police officers are “bad” and are conspiring against the government, adding that these officers have been identified. What alarming news — some police officers conspiring against the government! Needless to say, when the IGP himself says so, there is no room to deny it; what remains to be seen is what action is taken against them. Another Inqilab report noted a deep conspiracy to obstruct investment, referencing the arrest of several Chinese nationals in Cox’s Bazar, suggesting that at a time when Chinese investment in the country is rising, such arrests could send the wrong message and may be part of a conspiracy against investment. It should be noted that the government is making every effort to attract investment, and foreign investment is responding positively. In this context, any conspiracy against investment must be foiled.
Conspiracies against a country and its government can and do happen — both internally and internationally. Since our country and government are not free from this risk, we must remain nationally alert and cautious. Merely raising questions is not enough — effective action must be taken against autocrats and their collaborators. The government must first identify where and how the conspiracy is taking shape, then take appropriate steps. The Prime Minister has firmly stated that anyone attempting to create anarchy by spreading confusion will face action under the law. The government must ensure that no individual or group is able to create anarchy on the streets. Any scheme or conspiracy to obstruct investment must be thwarted. Both the ruling and opposition parties bear equal responsibility toward the nation. An elected government has been established in the country, and it must be protected and supported. The people have permanently rejected the fascists and autocrats; both the ruling and opposition parties must ensure they can never return or engage in politics again. The public must be kept informed of the country’s problems, crises, and conspiracies. This will make people aware and active, and they will stand behind the government. National unity and mobilizing the public are the most urgent needs of this moment.
