Infrastructure development sans developed human resources

Dr. Syed Anwar Hossain is a renowned educationist and former professor at the Department of History at Dhaka University. He served as former director general of Bangla Academy, former vice chancellor of Darul Ihsan University and founding editor of the English daily, The Daily Sun. Currently, he is serving as Bangabandhu Chair Professor at BUP. Recently, he spoke to Views Bangladesh about various issues including the political crisis of Bangladesh, the 12th National Parliament Election and the education system. The interview was conducted by writer and journalist Ranzit Sarker on behalf of Views Bangladesh.

Views Bangladesh: What should be the role of voting and voters in determining the fate of a democratic country?
Syed Anwar Hossain: In the context of Bangladesh, my understanding is clear regarding the role and voting of the people, as stated in Article 7(1) of the Constitution, which reads, "All citizens in a republic." The word republic is not acceptable to me. From 1991 to 2018 elections, the experience of voting for the voters of this country was not very happy. That's why I think the power should be given to the voters. Voters will decide who stays in government and who does not.

Views Bangladesh: Even after 52 years of independence, there is a crisis of democracy in Bangladesh, what is the way to overcome this?
Syed Anwar Hossain: The growth of the economy in Bangladesh is eye-catching. That’s why it has garnered global attention. But the ruling Awami League has deviated from its ideals. In the innermost recesses of my heart, the most significant issue is that we have achieved economic growth and infrastructure development but we have not made the same strides in human development. That's why I say in the words of the poet, "Jamin Roilo Pothito, Abad Korle Foltho Sona (The land remained barren; it yields gold if cultivated)." No government has done the necessary policies and activities to make the people of Bangladesh real people. We have seen some glimpses of this only during Bangabandhu's period.

Views Bangladesh: The political situation of the country is getting heated up with the elections ahead. The crisis has arisen over the elections. What do you think the big two parties should do to eliminate the crisis in this heated situation?
Syed Anwar Hossain: Due to the differences in perspective and opinions between two political parties, a crisis has arisen. I believe that, at this moment, it is necessary for them to find any means and paths for the betterment of the country and its people in order to resolve the crisis. Political crises need to be resolved by politicians themselves. In this context, I am reminded of the discussion between Bangabandhu and Bhutto at Sugondha in March 1971. Bangabandhu, addressing Bhutto, said "See, this crisis is political. You and I are politicians, and we should resolve this crisis through dialogue. If not, the army men will kill you and me too.” The statement was true. The Pakistanis had intended to resolve the political crisis through military means without political resolution. We earned victory. Bangabandhu and Bhutto were killed by the military. That is why I think that if the political crisis is not dealt with politically, then the undesirable apolitical solution becomes inevitable. None of us want it.

Views Bangladesh: The Awami League and BNP are holding meetings and rallies. How will the election environment be ensured if this situation continues?
Syed Anwar Hossain: We are worried about the election situation. There is worry and anxiety. Politics doesn't seem to exist at the moment; it's power politics. Those in power want to stay in power for an extended period. And those who have not been in power for a long time, they want to come to power at any cost. Both methods do not seem acceptable to me.
If I may speak on a different context, like the ongoing crisis in Palestine, the response of the Bangladesh government is highly commendable. The Prime Minister has instructed the Health Minister to send medicine. We don't know if the medicine has reached there or not. While Bangabandhu himself included in the constitution, Hossain Shaheed Suhrawardy's statement, "Friendship with all, malice toward none,”. The man sent a 28-member medical team to Palestine in 1973 and sent tea for the soldiers. At that time, Bangladesh was facing a tea crisis. In comparison, the current position of Bangladesh is very favourable. Furthermore, BNP and Jamaat haven't made any comments regarding the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. This is very disheartening for us. In a country's politics, how it stands on international matters will be reflected globally. Otherwise, I refuse to call it politics.

Views Bangladesh: Do you think that creating a third or alternative way in the politics of Bangladesh will remove various political crises from the country? Who or whom can create the third force?
Syed Anwar Hossain: I have been hearing about the third power for a long time. It's not a military force but an alternative in politics. If a third force has to come in politics, it has to come in the power of politics. It could have been the left. But the ideological fallacy among the left-leaning parties, due to which they are unable to come forward. Awami League, BNP, Jatiya Party are all capitalist parties. One of the four principles of the constitution of Bangladesh is 'socialism'. But one thing going on in Bangladesh is naked capitalism. Capitalists are running the country. In that case I think the left should come forward mobilizing through the crisis so that they can join as a political alternative force.

Views Bangladesh: In your long teaching career, what have you come to understand about education? What is the current state of education in our country? And what is the primary goal of education?
Syed Anwar Hossain: I have gained several insights in my teaching career. The quality of the students will depend on the quality in the classroom. If the teacher's quality is lacking, it will affect the student's quality of education. I think that education has deteriorated progressively over time. This realization is very painful to me.

Views Bangladesh: It is true that Bangladesh is experiencing development. But why is our people’s mind not improving? There is always conflict and division. Whom do you hold responsible for this, the family, society, or politics?
Syed Anwar Hossain: I've said it from the beginning that Bangladesh has not developed, but there has been growth. Development never occurs when there's inequality. This is entirely for the development of the same class of people, first the family and then the educational institution. A teacher should set an example in their conduct, speech, and thinking, being of good character. How many teachers are there in Bangladesh now? The importance of education is immense. A teacher's influence is profound in people's lives. In Bangladesh, genuine people are not being produced. This is evident from the news we see in the media every day. One reason for this is the laxity of the law enforcement agencies. Another factor is politics. There is never anything ideal in politics. If there were ideals, people of this country would not be like this. I think an ideological leadership is needed.

Views Bangladesh: One of the goals of the liberation war was to establish a non-communal state. Even after the independence of the country, have we been able to establish a non-communal state?
Syed Anwar Hossain: My straightforward response is that the reason for my skepticism is the inclusion of "Islam" as the state religion in our constitution. After that other religions can be practiced. This is a very offensive matter. All religions, all people have all kinds of rights. There is freedom. We could not build a secular state. Bangabandhu himself said, "Communal people are inferior, low". Bangabandhu himself was non-communal. Why incidents like Gobindaganj, Nasirnagar and Ramu happened during the present Awami League government period? That is why the dream of building a secular state by keeping Islam as the state religion in the constitution seems like a bowl of gold.

Views Bangladesh: You are a teacher of Dhaka University, former director general of Bangla Academy, editor of a newspaper and have held many other important responsibilities in administration. Is there any imperfection or disappointment in this long journey of life?
Syed Anwar Hossain: Dissatisfaction is a natural part of being human. Without dissatisfaction, there is no progress. I myself have many dissatisfactions and imperfections. I am striving to overcome them. I don't know if I will succeed in this lifetime. I am facing everyday challenges and trying to move forward. I didn't do a bad job as an administrator either. All in all, I have tried to give something to the country and the people in my own life as a teacher and administrator. That was my desire. That was my ambition, and it was my greatest ambition. I still hold onto that ambition. Like I don't hear well by the grace of the 1/11 government due to the device in my ear. The finger is damaged. That’s why I write with two fingers. My secretary composes it on the computer. Still I write. I have lost my teeth; knocked out the teeth. I use a cap to speak. That's why I keep moving forward, driven by my unyielding work ethic.

Views Bangladesh: Thank you for your patience for a long time
Syed Anwar Hossain: Thank you too.