The law is certainly to be applied to everyone equally, but in Sheikh Hasina's case, the action of the government smacks of an arbitrary use of power.

We believe that at a time when the Election Commission has just announced a roadmap for the next general election, the arrest of the Awami League chief sends out all the wrong signals about the nation's democratic political future. Indeed, the arrest may turn out to have been a highly injudicious act given the reforms program the caretaker government has undertaken. The timing of the AL chief's arrest, against such a background, is inexplicable. It appears to us that her internment is a political move that does not warrant her being taken into custody. Therefore, for the country it is important that the government explain the action it has taken. This is important since the former prime minister's arrest now threatens to put at risk the very reforms the administration has propagated and promoted since it assumed charge in January this year. Although reasons have been cited over the months about the alleged misrule resorted to by the major parties in their years in office, the question is still dubious as to whether such reasons can serve as sufficient grounds for the internment of Sheikh Hasina at this critical stage in national politics.

It is our considered opinion that, whatever the charges laid at her door, Sheikh Hasina's arrest is a major mistake on the part of the authorities. Public outrage at her arrest cannot now be ruled out, with a consequent slide in the law and order situation. The government cannot ignore the fact that politicians of Sheikh Hasina's and Khaleda Zia's stature, for all the criticism of their brand of politics, still enjoy a well-spring of support in Bangladesh. Taking action against them in such ill-conceived manner, therefore, cannot but fuel suspicions among large sections of the population that moves are truly and really on to hound them out of politics and emasculate their parties. Sheikh Hasina's arrest now also places the government on the wrong foot as it will now have to explain its action to governments abroad and donor institutions keen about a return to democratic government in Bangladesh.

We find the arrest of the Awami League chief unacceptable. It only makes the future of democratic governance murkier than it already is. A government pledge-bound to restore democracy ought to stay away from all temptations of handling conditions in an undemocratic manner.