I do not know whether it is a tragedy, comedy, or tragicomedy, that Hasina has been put behind bars in extortion cases dragged into emergency rule, whereas even the grenade attack case has not been found to be worthy of being prosecuted under emergency provisions. Sheikh Hasina is neither beyond reproach nor above the law. But is law really taking its course in Bangladesh?

Meanwhile, the immediate past prime minister, Khaleda Zia, during whose last tenure the country reached the zenith of corruption and misgovernamnce, is now busy reorganising her party through teleconferences. She is being allowed to visit her son's father-in-law's house, while Sheikh Hasina has not yet, till writing of this piece, been allowed to visit her ailing husband even for a few moments.

Yes, Khaldea Zia is also being encouraged to distribute relief to the flood affected people so as to bolster her public image. No, I am not in support of incarceration of Khaleda Zia for mere harassment. Maybe Khaldea Zia, too, may be arrested some day to strike an unavoidable balance. The sceptics, however, murmur that the current leeway provided to her is nothing but an attempt to resurrect her flagging image.

However, does the current proposition, Khaleda on restoration course and Hasina on removal course, not symbolise such a scenario which can be equated to a tragic scenario for the ones who had to suffer immensely during the previous BNP-regime; a sheer comedy for the people who reside in the ivory tower; and a clear case of tragicomedy for the ardent observers?

Interestingly enough, many BNP leaders who enjoyed all sorts of perks and facilities of state power during the whole of their previous regime, but did not raise even a single complaint against corruption and misgovernance of their regime, are now singing the song of reform, while the top echelon of Awami League are either in captivity or under restraint.

A lot of people expressed unbounded jubilation in their expressions and columns following the arrest of Hasina. Their elation, and their defense of that act, created an impression that Hasina was the most wanted criminal of the region, for whose head the states of the regions had declared millions of dollars reward, like US declared a reward for Bin Laden's head.

From their write-ups and arguments it seemed that Hasina was the crux of the problem, and a real obstacle in turning this country into a wonderland of prosperity and happiness. Yes, indeed, the previous BNP-Jamaat regime was about to turn this country into a wonderland adorned with good governance, which was cut short by Hasina's grand alliance and agitations!

The preceding depiction of things might seem like an indecent and unpleasant debate to many, especially to the ones who like to remain naive about state activities. But, the people who are willing to believe that two and two make four are are becoming confused and distrustful.

It is, perhaps, easy to take the masses of the country for a ride. But, it is a sure recipe for a fall to take them for granted, and to underestimate, echoing Mahfuz Anam, their wisdom. It is, thus, the duty of the government to clear the air as quickly as possible, so that the thought that the government is being partisan does not take root in people's minds. Yes, the government definitely cannot afford to fail.

At the same time, it is also true that the government cannot afford to expose itself as a biased one either. Even it fails, sympathy for it will remain. But, if it becomes partisan, nothing will remain. The people are under no obligation to believe in the government for months, while it continues to tinker with the trust of the people.

The government cannot afford to forget the plain truth that it is not only sufficient to do justice; it is equally important to show that justice is being done. Such a debilitating debate or controversy quickly corrodes public confidence in the government, which can be prevented only through reassuring actions and not through repression.

And, if such a debate is not successfully handled, there might not be any respite from its bad consequences. One, two, or three dissenting voices might be muted by force. But no big stick will be able to quell the mistrust of millions, and there can neither be unending emergency nor military rule in a country whose people's mindset is predominantly pro-democratic.

Kazi S.M. Khasrul Alam Quddusi is Assistant Professor, Dept. of Public Administration, University of Chittagong.