In an interview with the BBC's Hardtalk program on July 31, 2012, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina proposed formation of an interim government during the next general elections scheduled to be held within January 2014. A small cabinet comprising of political leaders including leaders from the opposition party BNP can oversee the parliamentary election, Hasina said. As expected, Khaleda Zia rejected Hasina's offer and said that the next general election must be held under a non-party government. Hasina's proposal started an old discussion of who should oversee the general election of Bangladesh in the political circle and media.

The problem started when on May 10, 2011 the seven member Supreme Court panel headed by the then chief justice ABM Khairul Haque declared illegal the constitutional provision that mandates an elected government to transfer power to a so-called non-partisan caretaker administration who will oversee the parliamentary elections. However, the court observed that the practice can continue for the next two elections. On June 30, 2011, the ruling Awami League alliance passed the 15th amendment to the constitution abolishing caretaker government system. After that, the opposition BNP has only one political agenda: restoration of caretaker government system. It may be mentioned that it was Awami League who demanded the caretaker government system to oversee general election in the first place back in 1996 when it was in opposition.

By terminating the caretaker government system and demanding its restoration, the government and the opposition together have successfully made it the major political issue of the country. In the meantime, millions of dollars were looted from the mass people in the stock market and siphoned out of the country by the corporations with government's aid. Many people were forced to suicide after losing all their savings. Government could not ensure water, gas, and electricity to the people at all, let alone education, healthcare or employment; prices of essentials are increasing day by day. With no program to generate employment, people are forced to leave the country by any means possible. Government has increased electricity price tariff manifolds to satisfy the International Monetary Fund. On the other hand, the government has passed an indemnity to those involved in processing deals with private independent power producers named quick rental power plants so that their corruption cannot be challenged in a court. The government is allowing US special force to visit Bangladesh at their will and making armed forces of Bangladesh to have exercises with both USA and India. Ruling Awami League also allowed transit to India. Despite all these crimes committed to the Ummah, both ruling and opposition play the caretaker game as if that is the only issue which needs to be solved.

In fact, this is the circus of democracy which people are watching since its inception in the country in the 1990s. Twenty two years of democracy in Bangladesh could not solve any of the basic problems of the people. Rather, it creates crisis and drama where all public political activities revolve around who will get to power next time, what is the mechanism of transferring power, who will be the head of caretaker government or election commissioner etc. And behind the scene deals are made with the crusader USA, UK, EU or India, on who can offer more service to the imperialists. The Ummah is desperately looking for solutions while Hasina continuously warns people against any undemocratic rule. The drama will continue till the imperialists decide on a solution, or the US makes a deal with any of the parties and brings it to power or it decides on something else. And then the same drama is repeated.

Democracy will never solve people's problem as the political system does not come from the belief this Ummah holds. Allah (swt) says,
... and rule between them by all that Allah has revealed, and follow not their vain desires, but beware of them lest they beguile you from any of that which Allah has sent down to you. [Surah Al-Maidah: 49]

Muslims cannot accept any system or solution other than Islam. Islam does not allow Muslims to accept Hasina, Khaleda or so-called ‘third force' who rule according to their whims and follow imperialists' instructions. Current corruption and looting of Ummah's resources are all outcome of democracy. Allah (swt) has given us a system and it is an obligation on every Muslim to live under this system; the Khilafah "Caliphate" ruling system. Muslims were ruled by this system for more than thirteen centuries. The Khaleefah is obliged to solve basic necessities of the citizens of the Islamic state according to Shari'ah. On the other hand, Muslims are obliged to account the Khaleefah for his duties. Muslims lived in peace and honor under the shade of Khilafah "Caliphate". The kuffars have destroyed this system in 1924, but Allah (swt) has promised its return as He (swt) says,

Allah has promised, to those among you who believe and work righteous deeds, that He will, of a surety, grant them succession (from the current rulers) in the land, as He granted it to those before them... [Surah An-Nur: 55]

Today, the change of system from Kufr to Islam will not take place automatically. Our Prophet (saw) and his honorable Companions have struggled for establishment of the system of Allah (swt). It is also our duty to work and struggle for the re-establishment of Khilafah "Caliphate", only system ordained by Allah (swt). Allah (swt) says,

... Verily, Allah will not change the condition of a people as long as they do not change their situation themselves... [Surah Ar-Rad: 11]
17-08-2012

Raiyan Hasan
Bangladesh