The malpractice of secret politics

It seems a new stage has emerged in the politics of Bengal. Once upon a time, politics meant open struggle – who could chant slogans the loudest, who could bring the largest procession, who could stir up the crowd by crying out “Joy Bangla” or “Bangladesh Zindabad” in the highest voice. Back then politicians did not hide their identity, rather they were proud to say: “I am a worker of such-and-such party, I am a follower of such-and-such ideology.” But times have changed. Such simple declarations now appear old-fashioned. On the political stage there is now a new wave – not what is open, but what happens behind the scenes is the real thing; its name is secret politics.

In our society everything seems to have a secret version. Secret treasure, secret love, secret enemy – all are ongoing. Just as in social media people use secret IDs for romance or trolling, in politics too a secret stream has begun. Thus, history may one day recognise Bangladesh as the country that gave birth to “secret politics.”

Nowadays it is hard to tell who belongs to which party. The very person giving a speech on stage today may be smiling in a photograph tomorrow under the banner of the rival party. If asked, he says: “Oh brother, democracy means mingling with everyone!” But within this mingling lies a mysterious theatricality. Everyone knows that everyone else is acting, yet the rehearsal goes on. Each seems like a secret warrior – fighting in double disguise, yet again sitting together over tea and snacks sharing laughter.

We have not seen little of espionage in foreign films. James Bond, Jason Bourne or the KGB-CIA – the tales of their spies have thrilled the world. But today it seems our local politicians are the true masters. By day they march in rallies carrying another party’s flag, and at night they sit in secret meetings at their own party headquarters planning strategies. In a word, they are the teachers of the Bonds.

The real fuel of this game is “position.” Minister, adviser, president, general secretary or joint secretary – politicians have a strange obsession with these posts. The addiction to posts is what has built the strong foundation of secret politics. You may have sweated for the party in the field for many years but received no post. Yet a “secret” member from the rival party has easily snatched a high post. Why? Because he knows in whose ear to pour which information. With the precise technique of passing information he becomes an invaluable asset to the party. Then you feel: “Ah, the secret ones are truly the future!”

A feature of Bangladesh’s politics once was open confrontation. Awami League–Chhatra League–Jubo League or BNP–Chhatra Dal–Jubo Dal – all fought openly. But after shifts of power, the picture has changed. Those who once carried the flags of Awami League–Chhatra League–Jubo League now appear in new identities. Those very former leaders and workers now stand under different party flags posing as revolutionaries. Someone once branded a lackey of fallen autocracy is today a great revolutionary himself, branding others as “lackeys of autocracy.” If asked, he says: “At that time being in that organisation was a tactic.” But the problem is, now it is difficult to tell which is tactic and which is real.

This is the real game of secret politics – everyone’s identity is half-truth, half-tactic. The definition of democracy too seems to have changed. Earlier voters chose leaders through ballots, today posts are distributed at the will of leaders – depending on who is lobbying for whom inside, who is leaking which information. Openly leaders say, “We want transparency.” Inside the real policy runs: “Opacity is our strength.”

The common people are the spectators of this play. They clap seeing the processions, they get excited hearing the speeches; but the secret game remains hidden from them. Today the man delivering a fiery speech against the “enemy” party is seen tomorrow in intimate conversation with that very enemy. The people are stunned: “Good heavens, what sorcery is this!” Yet this is now the regular lesson.

In student politics this secret tactic is used even more strongly. There are allegations that some organisations – such as Islami Chhatra Shibir – are the number one drivers of secret politics. They do not raise political flags openly before ordinary students, rather they build strong bases under the cover of social work or religious activities. As a result, not only is political transparency destroyed, the path of free democracy too is obstructed. When open politics was banned on campuses, secret politics only grew stronger. What was forbidden openly went on more widely in secret.

Political analysts say that secret politics is not just for suppressing rivals; it is dangerous for the state as well. It makes the government distrust even ordinary citizens. The political environment turns poisonous. This disguised diplomacy to defeat opponents ultimately weakens democracy itself.

Interestingly, if new courses are ever introduced in universities, one might be called “Secret Politics and Modern State Thought.” Students would learn how to make double promises, how to shake hands with an opponent while stabbing from behind. If they passed, the degree would be called “Master of Secret Politics (MGP).”

Just imagine, what if every political party had a separate secret wing? At least then everyone would know who the secret ones are. A separate uniform could be introduced for them – two party symbols painted side by side on one shirt. At the annual conference a prize could be given for “Best Double-faced Speech.” Then a new chapter would be added to political history – “Post-Liberation Bangladesh: Parallel Streams of Open and Secret Politics.”

But behind all jokes the reality is grave. Secret politics is actually weakening political culture from within. When people see leaders as masters of changing identity, their trust breaks. Then politics becomes just a kind of play – where ideology, principle, honesty are all mere decoration or other names for masks.

Many among the public say – secret politics means insult to democracy. Others think it is the real game of intelligence. But whatever is said, one truth cannot be denied – secret politics has now become a source of national entertainment. Reading newspaper reports or watching talk shows on television means being astonished at new secret tales.

In truth, the problem is one – in Bangladesh everything is possible. So “secret democracy” too is nothing unbelievable. But the question is, where will we end up if we continue along this path? If transparent politics does not arrive, public trust will break, divisions in society will grow, and politics will become nothing but a disguised drama of power.

That is why the conscious section is saying, the time has come to speak out against secret politics. Political parties must stand before the people with clear identities. Ideals must not be hidden but placed openly. People must be given transparency, responsibility and credibility. Because if politics hides in the darkness of secrecy and tactics, no light will be born for the people, only distrust and confusion.

Our history has proved again and again – when politics is opaque, the people suffer the most. In the 1970s the people dreamt of liberation, in the 1990s of democratic resurgence. But if within those dreams the manipulations of secret circles intrude, then once again the nation will sink into the dark pit of despair. Those intoxicated today with the masked game of “tactic” will not be forgiven by future generations in history.

Secret politics means not just damage to one party; it weakens the entire state structure. When party leaders conceal their identity, public trust shatters. When voters see their beloved leader today holding one coloured flag, tomorrow standing under another – then politics becomes a circus, and democracy turns into a farce. If this farce survives, perhaps a few individuals will benefit; but the nation will not.

Therefore this disguise must be broken. The time has come for a new culture – where political leadership is bold, open, fearless. Where it is said: “Yes, I believe in this ideology, this is my party, this is my struggle.” Without politics of that honesty, Bangladesh cannot move forward.

True democracy means walking on the path of light, not searching for a way in the dark. Secret politics prolongs that darkness, imprisoning people in an unfamiliar labyrinth. If today we all cannot stand together against this darkness, then tomorrow’s Bangladesh will be a prison of secret politics – where transparency, accountability and credibility will have no place.

But Bangladesh is not a prison. This nation broke through darkness into light through the Liberation War. So once again there is need for that call of freedom – to break the chains of secret politics and set out on the path of transparent politics. If the people once firmly say, “We want open, not secret politics,” then the leaders will have no place to survive in disguise.

Chiraranjan Sarker: Columnist