Along with the biting cold sweeping across the country, the heat of the election season is also rising, although the official campaign has not yet begun.
Appeals by candidates whose nomination papers were rejected are still being resolved. But those whose nominations have been declared valid are unwilling to waste a single moment. A flood of promises and assurances is flowing through the constituencies.
If even half of what the candidates are promising were implemented, there would be no shortages in the country. No one would remain poor. Everyone would live in comfort and ease. There would be no trace of criminals. People would sleep at night with their doors and windows open. Even partial fulfilment of election pledges would end corruption. Ordinary citizens would face no harassment in government offices. They would not have to suffer to receive services.
People would receive justice. No one would have to suffer for years due to false cases. Bangladesh would turn into a paradise.
But we ordinary people are like a cow once burned by fire – we fear even smoke. We know these promises and assurances are like lines from a movie: they sound good on screen but are never spoken in real life. Election promises are made not to be fulfilled, but merely for publicity. We, the ordinary people, do not want so much from political parties. From an elected government, we want only a little peace.
The meaning of peace varies from country to country. For the people of the United States, peace means a strong economy – there, money is the key to peace. For Palestinians, peace means an end to war. For the people of Bangladesh, the meaning of peace is very simple and very small. The people of this country do not want much.
We want to live with dignity. We want to earn through hard work so that we do not have to beg from anyone. People want jobs that match their qualifications, or the freedom to do business according to their skills and talents without obstruction. In Bangladesh today, open and hidden unemployment combined has crossed 40%. Over the past one and a half years, the number of unemployed people has increased by nearly 9%. Many have lost their jobs. Most of the unemployed are young – full of energy and potential. But prolonged unemployment has eroded their talent and enthusiasm. Many have become frustrated and are drifting down the wrong path. These unemployed youths want only one thing: a job. That is their address of peace.
Over the past one and a half years, many small and medium entrepreneurs in Bangladesh have been ruined. Many have been forced to shut down their businesses due to various realities. These small entrepreneurs want to do business fearlessly and safely.
Large private entrepreneurs are the driving force of Bangladesh’s economy, yet they too are going through a difficult time. They want an investment-friendly Bangladesh. They want security and a harassment-free environment. An industrial entrepreneur wants to work without anxiety, without becoming a victim of vendetta. That is their address of peace.
Ordinary people want to leave home in the morning and return safely in the evening. They do not want to fall victim to mobs on the way. They do not want their movement obstructed or to be harassed in the name of protests. They want to sleep safely and peacefully at night.
A homemaker wants to be able to buy household necessities within her budget. She does not want to be overwhelmed by soaring prices in the market. Keeping prices within budget is, for her, the ultimate peace.
A mother wants her child to receive a quality education. She does not want her child’s education disrupted by terrorism or disorder. She does not want her child to be lost prematurely to violence on educational campuses. Being able to raise her child properly is a parent’s greatest peace.
A sick person wants only proper medical treatment. They do not want to be deceived in government or private hospitals.
The demands of the people of this country are very modest. If they can eat two proper meals a day, return home safely, and live according to their income, they are deeply happy. Very few people in the world are satisfied with so little.
The people of this country enjoy simple joys with their whole hearts. Give them a little love, and they will devote their lives in return. Intense emotion and love are the life force of this nation. That is why making the people of this country happy is very easy. They want nothing more – only a little peace.
So, in the upcoming election, we do not need so many assurances and promises from candidates. Together, build a peaceful Bangladesh. We no longer want hatred or violence. We only want a little peace.
Audite Karim is a writer and playwright. Email: [email protected]
