It is understandable that in the face of uncontrollable mob violence Sheikh Hasina chose to resign as Prime Minister of Bangladesh. But, under what provisions of that nation’s constitution is the ‘interim government’ being formed? What provides it the required mandate? Lawlessness on the streets is an undeniable reality faced by most countries, but how can that extend to constitutional institutions? What empowers the nation’s President and the Army Chief to choose the political leadership and how are government servants and the common people expected to accept their legitimacy? Those who should be prosecuted for crimes such as the murder of policemen, minorities, loot, etc., are going to be running the country? Compare this to the declaration by the Prime Minister of UK, who has affirmed that anarchic rioters may even be charged as ‘terrorists’, along with other crimes. Bangladesh can no longer be classified as a legitimate nation-state fit to be a member of any international organisation.
Unbelievably, these developments have encouraged some in India to anticipate a similar situation in the hope of bringing down the present dispensation. These include persons like Congress leader Salman Khurshid, whose background as a former Union Minister and member of an illustrious family which includes his grandfather, the late third President of India, Zakir Hussain, should make him know better. Other Congress and SP leaders have expressed similar opinions. Is that how much confidence they have in India’s constitutional framework? Is their desire for power, and hatred for the incumbent national leadership so great that they would wish to benefit from a de facto coup? It is obvious that there is a class of politicians in the country that feel privileged due to their class or caste background to challenge the power of the nation’s legitimate government. That, too, when they have seen much worse being inflicted during events such as the emergency, and the country emerging stronger and more stable.
There is, of course, nothing comparable between what happened in Bangladesh and the angst of the opposition against the Modi Government. The Prime Minister of Bangladesh may have resigned but the failure of the Armed Forces and the other security services to enforce the writ of the state is a pathetic example of a failed system. The consequences of this will be severe – unfortunately it will all happen in India’s neighbourhood. It will, however, provide a serious lesson to the self-serving politicians on this side of the border – they need only to wait a while.
