Keeping the armed forces in the dark and taking decisions on sensitive issues concerning the sovereignty of the state is reckless. Keeping the armed forces in the dark about the reforms of the state is also not desirable.
The concern expressed by the Army Chief in this regard is correct. Everyone needs to fulfill their respective responsibilities from their respective positions to protect the national interest.
Everyone should be given the responsibility to fulfill that responsibility. No one should be disrespected. If we want the country to progress, we have to work with everyone in running the government. What the Army Chief told his members about the current situation of the country, what he said about the national elections, is also correct.
Taking his statement positively, everyone should work in the interest of the country to resolve the crisis. The elections should be held in December. The country should be run by an elected government. Wasting time on various pretexts will only increase the crisis.
Army Chief General Waqar-uz-Zaman has spoken the right thing.
These comments are made by political scientists, military experts and prominent citizens. They said that in the current situation of the country, many domestic and foreign people want Bangladesh to not emerge from the overall crisis. Such an attempt is ongoing. Everyone needs to work so that that attempt does not succeed in any way.
Last Wednesday, in an officers’ address at the army premises of Dhaka Cantonment, Army Chief General Waqar-uz-Zaman outlined the overall situation of the country to his forces and said that the Bangladesh Army will never be involved in any activity that is harmful to sovereignty. No one will be allowed to do so. He instructed army members at all levels to remain neutral and to fulfill their electoral duties with honesty and integrity in the future.
According to information published in various media outlets, in addition to the elections, various contemporary issues including humanitarian corridors, ports, and reforms were raised at the event. The Army Chief said that the national elections should be held by December.
The Army Chief said that an overall anarchic situation prevails in the country and this situation is deteriorating further. All the institutions including the law enforcement agencies and the civil administration are not being reorganized as expected. In response to a question regarding the humanitarian corridor in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, the Army Chief said that it is not crystal clear. The issue is sensitive, risky and impossible.
He said that the decision on the humanitarian corridor must come from an elected government and it must be taken following a legitimate process. Here, national interests must be seen, and whatever is done must be done in the interests of the nation. Whatever is done, it must be done through political consensus.
The Army Chief said that despite the continuous efforts of the Army since August, some quarters are unfairly targeting him and the Army.
General Waqar-uz-Zaman also gave a strong message against ‘mob violence’ or organized chaos or attacks by unruly people.
Regarding reforms, the Army Chief said that he has no idea what reforms are being done or how they are being done. There was no consultation or discussion with him on this matter. He also said, ‘We are cooperating with the interim government. We will continue to cooperate.’
The Army Chief’s statement in Wednesday’s Officers’ Address received a lot of positive reactions on social media. Many prominent people believe that the Army Chief spoke the right thing. SAMIRAK expert Maj. J. (Retd.) Dr. Md. Naeem Ashfaq Chowdhury said on Thursday about reforms and keeping the armed forces in the dark on important matters of state security, ‘Everyone at all levels needs to work towards one goal. That is to protect national interests. Everyone should fulfill their responsibilities from their respective positions. Everyone should be allowed to fulfill their responsibilities. No one should be disrespected. If you want the country to progress, you should work with everyone in running the government. Success depends on how you handle each component. We call it national power. It has different elements. You are successful only when you can fully utilize all the elements of national power. When something is sought to be achieved by excluding, suppressing, or putting someone in charge of another, national power is damaged.
He further said, in the current situation of the country, many domestic and foreign people want Bangladesh to not emerge from the overall crisis. Such an attempt is underway. Everyone needs to work so that that attempt cannot succeed in any way. By everyone, I am not only referring to the government and all elements of the government, but also to the public. If you want to make a comment or write against someone from among the people, you should think about whether it is going in our country’s favor or not. Public awareness needs to be created on this issue as well. If the people are aware, we will be able to move away from the signs of division that we see and unite in the interests of the country.
Professor of Political Science at Dhaka University, Dr. Sabbir Ahmed said, “I agree with the situation in the country as revealed in the statements of Army Chief General Waqar-uz-Zaman in various media outlets. The Army Chief’s far-sighted and positive role during the 24th mass uprising is unforgettable. Under his leadership, the army stood by the people and is still working tirelessly to maintain law and order in the country and deal with various disasters. The Navy and Air Force are also being praised for the same role. But the initiative to take decisions on sensitive issues regarding the sovereignty of the state while keeping these armed forces in the dark is reckless. The interim government has not shown prudence in this regard. The initiative to provide humanitarian corridors or relief assistance to the Rakhine State of Myanmar without taking the opinion of the armed forces, who are entrusted with the responsibility of protecting the sovereignty of the country, is not reasonable. The concern expressed by the Army Chief in this regard is correct.” The armed forces could have been included in the reform of the state. Because the armed forces also need reform. What the army chief told his members about the current situation in the country, what he said about the national elections, is also correct. Taking his statement positively, everyone should work in the interest of the country to resolve the crisis. The elections should be held in December. The country should be run by an elected government. Wasting time on various pretexts will only increase the crisis.
