Md. Sahariar Faruque Bhuiyan
Activist, JCD,CU
Honestly, at this point, I would almost welcome seeing all these minor parties – Jamaat and NCP included – form an alliance and somehow take power. Let them run the country, just once, and demonstrate how far empty slogans and recycled drama can truly take us.
To be frank, remaining out of power has become our new comfort zone. We have grown so accustomed to the sidelines that we now bring our own chairs. Just give us some breathing space – no tear gas, no police vans – and we will manage perfectly fine.
The Spectacle of Populist Governance
Imagine Jamaat and NCP in charge, governing with their cheap populist formulas, loud slogans, outdated ideas, and a generous dose of moral policing. While they manage that circus, perhaps it would be wiser for us to undertake a Tabligh-style retreat – not for grand political showdowns, but to fundamentally address what is broken within ourselves, starting at the very roots.
Who knows, under such a regime, we might witness daily religious sermons (waz mehfils) in parliament. Picture Amir Hamza at the microphone, eloquently explaining economic policy through tales of Rashmika’s grace. And Jamaat? They might just tackle the economic crisis by confining the entire female workforce to their homes – because, of course, that is the proven strategy for a garments-based economy.
The BNP’s Digital Dilemma and the NCP’s Real Motives
The BNP is undeniably a large party, a fact beyond dispute. However, that size does not grant them a free pass for dormancy at the grassroots or invisibility online. A genuine movement cannot be sustained by mere nostalgia and a handful of dysfunctional Facebook pages managed by admins who seemingly believe MS Paint is the pinnacle of graphic design. Even if a mere ten NCP members appear somewhere – with half of them likely Jamaat-Shibir cadres in disguise – the actual conversation is rarely about politics. Instead, it revolves around which “tender chicken” they are pursuing next. There is no discernible ideology, no coherent plan – just a collection of self-proclaimed revolutionaries angling for contracts, influence, and perhaps a complimentary concert ticket or two, all while maintaining the charade that they alone possess the truth.
Flexible Principles and Unpaid Security
To be fair, the NCP genuinely tries hard to prevent the Awami fascists and their financiers from regaining political ground. That is, unless those financiers arrive with an adequately bulging envelope. Then, suddenly, everything becomes flexible. After all, someone must bankroll the party’s next event and their abrupt lifestyle upgrades.
We in JCD (Jatiyatabadi Chatrodol) like to believe we are the brave frontline – the last true force standing against the BAL. Yet, most days, we feel like unpaid security guards for the NCP. They casually stroll into Gopalgonj with three slogans and a borrowed megaphone; we handle the confrontation with BAL. Afterward, the NCP rushes to social media, proudly declaring that no one dared enter Gopalgonj before them, even as they quietly make their escape in Army APCs. It is truly ironic how the very Army once labeled “July’s traitors” by Hasnat now serves as their personal Uber when situations turn uncomfortable.
The Toxic Relationship Analogy
At this point, our political engagement feels like a one-sided relationship with a toxic partner. We perform all the duties – run the errands, shoulder the blame, fight the battles – and in return, we are merely pointed toward someone else’s partner with a remark like, “Look how good Mayeesha’s husband is. You cannot even buy me a bangle since last week.” And, naturally, the perennial threat of divorce emerges every Friday, just before Maghrib prayers.
Jamaat’s Art of Contradiction
Jamaat’s double standards have reached such an extreme that labeling them munafiks almost feels unjust to genuine hypocrites. They have stretched the definition of the word so far that it is practically begging for early retirement. Honestly, while we all might have our moments of inconsistency, Jamaat has elevated contradiction into a veritable lifestyle. At this juncture, even Shakespeare himself might concede, “Sorry brother, this phenomenon is beyond the realm of English prose.”
Before receiving the official nod from NCP and Charmonai – who had previously, and quite vocally, branded them rude, ill-mannered, undisciplined, munafiks, and completely untrustworthy – Jamaat’s Ameer cycled through approximately five different stances on the election. Sometimes they advocated for a delay, sometimes for an immediate election, then with reforms, then without any reforms at all. Perhaps this is the leadership we now deserve – the kind that approaches a national decision with the same confusion and inconsistency one displays when choosing a restaurant, always needing someone else to make the first move.
Choreography Over Conviction
Mahfuj Alam publicly demands the razakars be expelled, while Hasnat Abdullah marches right alongside them, shouting “Desh karo baper na” (This country belongs to no one’s father). Yet, both share the same stage, wave to the same crowd, and stand under the same banner. This is not confusion; it is meticulously orchestrated choreography. One performs the role of the patriot, the other the protester. Meanwhile, we will retreat into our own version of public contemplation – quietly observing, meticulously taking notes, and perhaps even learning a thing or two about transforming double standards into a political art form.
A Call for Strategic Reflection
While they are out there, busy chanting slogans and going live from every corner of the country, perhaps it is time we undertake a Tabligh-style pause – not to disconnect entirely, but to engage in profound reflection. And instead of hastily forming another so-called “Cyber Force” – which, frankly, struggles to coordinate even a basic online movement – perhaps this time we should prioritize genuine learning, critical thinking, and strategically placing truly smart, capable individuals in key positions. Currently, it feels like everyone is simply posting whatever comes to mind – lacking timing, purpose, and resulting in a continuous stream of belated narratives that emerge long after the drama has concluded and the camera crew has departed.
The Essence of True Power
Perhaps one day, more of us will genuinely strive to embody the composure and steadiness seen in figures like Tarique Rahman, Salahuddin Ahmed, Mirza Fakhrul, Ameer Khasru, and others – not just when delivering public statements, but in their fundamental political thought processes. And perhaps then, the grassroots will finally grasp that real power is not about blocking roads or marching as if on a political runway. It is about genuinely showing up for people, rather than merely showing off for cameras.
I am someone who deeply values religion – although, by Jamaat’s and Charmonai’s elusive checklist, I might never be deemed “Muslim enough.” Nevertheless, I believe in propagating true Islamic values, alongside the ethical teachings of other faiths, because Islam and morality are not branded with an organization’s logo. My aspiration is to disseminate Ziaur Rahman’s philosophy of multiparty democracy, meritocracy, freedom of speech, and economic stability – not through mere rhetoric, but through tangible, authentic groundwork.
JCD – setting aside its tendency to transform every city wall into a museum of outdated, eye-straining posters that no one bothers to read – might finally be on the verge of achieving much-needed clarity. Meanwhile, Jamaat, NCP, and Charmonai remain preoccupied, mentally rehearsing their dream government, as if power might simply descend upon them in their sleep. We have endured years of imprisonment, fabricated cases, abductions, and relentless repression – factors that undeniably hindered our progress both online and offline. But now that we are regrouping with renewed vigor, perhaps it is time to allow this political fairytale to run its course – so the nation can finally witness what truly happens when bedtime stories attempt to govern a state.
Editor’s Note: The views expressed are solely those of the author. Gonotaar welcomes bold voices and dissenting reflections from all corners of the political spectrum.
