If, indeed, democracy means people's power then Dr Yunus has convincingly demonstrated the near irrelevance of our mainstream politicians as against people's empowerment. So when he speaks of rapproachment and reconciliation in a perilously polarised polity and does not get mature responses, one can only regret that the anguish of an altruistic heart has not been appreciated.

This writer is in no position to advise, but has to point out the inevitability of pluralism as an admitted reality of a democratic polity. That this pluralism does not become an obstacle to the unity and prosperity of a democratic polity is amply illustrated by the stability and maturity of the western democracies and, closer to home, of the Indian experience since 1947. As against the above backdrop, the unfortunate reality in Bangladesh, as of now, is that on almost every aspect of national life the people are being ominously divided into two hostile groups.

The tragedy is that when consensus is the need of the hour, at least on fundamental national issues, the two main political parties are constantly venturing to impose their partisan dogmas on the public, and are not hesitating to brand the dissenters as traitors to the national cause. Dissent, according to them, is an unpatriotic act. Such a mental frame is taking us on a suicidal course, thereby obstructing national integrity and encouraging confrontationist postures leading to violence.

We are losing sight of the fact that democracy cannot be limited to the holding of elections, convening of the parliament, and formation of council of ministers only. The reality is that democracy is a way of life wherein we must have the courage to listen to a different opinion, the tolerance to respect the views of everybody on religion, culture, language, and the patience to obey the rule of law. A free media, an independent judiciary and strong regulatory institutions in their rightful glorious places are the hallmarks of a free society.

The unfortunate reality in Bangladesh today is that, to lead an honourable life, one has to be partisan. To retain one's proprietary right over land, to secure contracts for development work or to even safely build a house on one's own property, one would need the support of the local powerful group or coterie, and barring few fortunate exceptions this powerful group enjoys the active patronage and blessings of the political powers that be. Newspaper accounts tell us about the unfortunate plight of the political workers of the defeated party following the national election. Such accounts depict the pathetic, fugitive existence of the hapless workers who, in the absence of their leaders, are forced to live a miserable life. Their miseries are further compounded by the filing of politically motivated criminal cases with a view to psychologically and socially cripple the opponents. As result, a political identity is becoming a hazard for some individuals and groups and, consequently, politics is turning into a dangerous business where annihilation of the adversary becomes the principal preoccupation.

Under such circumstances, there is a desperate and perverted bid to amass money without caring at all for the legality of such acquisition. Politicians of different descriptions make the pragmatic assessment that such ill-gotten money would be handy for self-protection during the likely event of being out of power in the not-too-distant future. The trend, to say the least, is deplorable.

Barring honourable exceptions, politicians of different shades of opinion in our society do not socialize amongst themselves; do not enquire about each others' welfare, and some are not even on talking terms. Many such politicians, despite their being related to each other, are not discharging their social responsibilities which, needless to mention, are setting unhealthy precedents. On account of such precedents, the future scenario would be one in which our leaders in all walks of life will have little respect for each other, and the whole atmosphere will be vitiated by revenge replacing healthy competition. Such an acrimonious environment will not augur well for the nation.

The polarisation of different occupational and service organisations along political lines has assumed fearful proportions. There were times when only a handful of occupational organisations was politically motivated but, currently, the political alignments of such organisations are so disconcertingly manifest that many consider them as shameful adjuncts of the political party. The professional organisations have, unfortunately, moved away from the hallowed objective of advising the authority with their enlightened counseling. By forsaking their intellectual independence they have made an unconditional surrender to the politicians. The partisan behaviour of the opinion-makers has further degraded us as a nation. One may like to know that if we have to continue to indulge in nurturing and promoting the fatal game of inferiority will the persons devoid of self-respect will be able to truly lead.

One area of heightened concern is the polarisation of the public servants, because a biased person cannot truly become a servant of the republic. Allegations are there in the newspapers that politically active public servants are succeeding in cornering the upright, meritorious ones. The appointees of particular years are considered more loyal and pliable than others, and are being rewarded as such. As a result, the environment of friendship and camaraderie among public servants is narrowing.

Distrust and doubts are sapping their morale. The difference between the government and the state is being deliberately diluted, and the distinction between government service and personal service is not understood. Consequently, public servants are reluctant to act fearlessly in an upright manner. The denigration of services is definitely not in public interest because it cuts across the very glorious spirit of impartial and lawful public service. Meritorious students are losing interest in a career of public service, which is so vital in the backdrop of our socio-economic reality, with particular reference to the need of non-partisan field administration which is required to ensure free elections, and nurturing of the institutions. There is not much noticeable concern in this regard.

The unbridled arrogance and intolerance-ridden postures of our leaders with regard to different national issues amuse and disappoint the foreigners. The failure to arrive at a consensus on such matters discourages our real well-wishers. Many among them wonder how Bangladeshis, who have framed such an admirably lofty constitution, could be so foul-mouthed in political exchanges, and behave so immaturely on the social circuit. They question our actions on the treatment of criminals from a political viewpoint, and cannot comprehend as to why the criminal liabilities of a particular time are condoned at another time without undergoing the test of legal process. The integrity and veracity of our regulatory institutions appear less than desirable.

The Bangladeshi nation looks forward to Dr. Yunus, and the like, before absolute cynicism corrupts us absolutely, because he has proved that the private initiative of the citizenry can go a long way towards counteracting the deficiencies of the government. There is no doubt that the human raw material in this country is as fine as can be found anywhere else on earth. However, the sad reality is that even 33 years after the constitution came into force, a very large part of our population is literally illiterate, making meaningful democracy impossible, but making it easily possible for politicians to have a vested interest in illiteracy and public ignorance. One has to remember the memorable words of Thomas Jefferson when he said: "If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, it expects what never was and never will be."

As a nation we are politically disintegrated and, thus, we do not have the inner strength to sustain us in adversity or in progress towards prosperity. This is so because our basic freedoms have been eroded, the strength of our political institutions has been sapped and our public life degraded. We have very dangerously subordinated the individual to the State.

Elections and their corruption, injustice and the power of tyranny of wealth, and inefficiency of the administration have made our political freedom meaningless. However, hope perhaps lies in education, by which right conduct and the fear of God can be developed among the citizens. Microcredit has facilitated emancipation partially but the big push forward is likely to come from education because the present crop of politicians is only preoccupied in maintaining a system which is poisoned by collective bad faith and polluted by individual avarice. In fact, we are at our eloquent best when our public affairs are in the worst condition.

Since our priggish politicians are unlikely to feel energised will Dr. Yunus take the lead in the field of education, because we need to break from our tradition of being collectively ignorant despite being individually intelligent? It is perhaps time to change from privilege to talent,, and from accident of birth to accent on caliber, and to realise that there is more to success than money. We have to stop our society from disintegrating into factions and divisions. The electorate needs to know, and realise through education, that the entire destiny of the country is in their hands, and that there is no substitute for knowledge and integrity in public life. We need to appreciate that the government can really achieve success by unleashing the energies of citizens. The above are matters, which at the time of elections specially, have to be weighed and discussed, instead of slogans and claptrap.

We need the sprit of moderation, which hopefully may come through the benefit of education. As of now, as a nation, we need to acquire that temper which does not press a partisan advantage to its bitter end and can understand and respect the other side, and which feels the necessity of unity between all citizens.

Muhammad Nurul Huda is a former Secretary and IGP.