BBC debate on Bangladesh
Sharin Shajahan Naomi, Law department, Dux
The media and people concerned were so much enthusiastic to acclaim Steven Sackur ( famous for 'Hard Talk') was in Bangladesh to arrange a debate on the democracy in the country. I was also counting days to watch the programme and at last that great day came. But this programme could not cross the line of my expectation. Those who watch BBC regularly must know how lively the other debate programmes are (for example the Doha Debate). There was scope to make it like those. The thresholds of my dissatisfactions are here: The panel to speak for consisted of a minister, one opposition leader and Tareq Masud from Bangladesh. Why the number of persons was so small? Young generation's thoughts influenced this programme. But why were they in the audience panel only ? I have seen many debates on India issue in BBC where young leaders like Sachin Pilot represent the young generation and argue on behalf of them. This panel could invite Tareq Zia, Joy Wajed or Mahi Choudhury to make it more lively. For whom this much talked about democracy stand ? Obviously, for the people. Why the people of Bangladesh are again and again bringing the tainted, despotic political leaders back to the parliament? Why they are not casting vote for the people having a much better image ? The NGOs are struggling to groom the people for a meaningful democracy. But where were they in the panel? The lawyers have played a crucial role in strengthening our judiciary, to smoothen the path of democracy through the stockpile of public interest litigations. This panel really missed lawyers like Barrister Tania Ameer, Tanjeeb, Sara Hossain and needless to mention the name of Dr. Kamal Hossian. Now coming to the issue- democracy. Democracy is more than having an election every five years. It depends on institutionalisation. It contains the issues like appointment of election commissioners, separation of judiciary , caretaker government etc. The allegation is there that the government is interested to have a man of its choice as the chief of the caretaker government. Such points could be discussed critically, rather than revolving around the issue of election and its reaction only. The most striking disappointment came from the audience in Bangladesh. Few questions were thrown to maintain the formalities and most of the time the audience remained busy in clapping rather than give their strong arguments, questions and comments. ( I am really in doubt whether the young people who came had any idea about how the audience usually shake the panels in the other debates of BBC.) However, Steven Sackur's initiative deserves praise and perhaps this is the first such debate in Bangladesh. But next time, my request to the BBC: please take care to bring more people in the audience who could talk for Bangladesh.
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