Editorial
Common sense takes leave
Arrogance of power manifestly at its worst
The first question to arise from the bedlam in the cantonment area on Saturday is: was it not natural for opposition leader Sheikh Hasina to head for the Combined Military Hospital to see the critically wounded litterateur Humayun Azad? It certainly was, to say nothing of her rightful duty to have a glimpse of the writer under ICU care and in comatose, obviously from a safe, allowable distance. So, debarring her from entering the CMH was essentially wrong. And, the way her visit was stonewalled by a series of measures from Jahangir Gate to the CMH entry point acting under orders was even more reprehensible.It is unheard of and totally unacceptable. The authorities' announcement to the effect that the CMH advised all and sundry against visiting Humayun Azad in his critical condition is perfectly in order, but it appears to be an afterthought of an explanatory note insofar as denying entry to Sheikh Hasina went. She is not only the leader of the opposition but also a former prime minister of the country with a high protocular standing on the warrant of precedence. Likewise, it is inexplicable why former president of the republic AQM Badruddoza was debarred. The entries could be restrictive but not denied to people of their standing. It seems the government has lost all sense of propriety; for, the affront given to opposition leaders was entirely avoidable if only a little bit of administrative imagination was brought to bear on the approach. To think that there was not even an intent to do so was the most unfortunate part of it. It basically boils down to an arrogant use of executive power. The government in no way can justify the denial of common courtesy to opposition leader Sheikh Hasina and former president AQM Badruddoza. The treatment meted out to them is reflective of an arrogance of power that is blindfolded to democratic considerations and humanitarian sensibilities. That the image of the country has not been brightened can be said without any fear of contradiction.
| 
