Vicious cycle of rallies and counter rallies

Article 37 of the constitution states: ‘Every citizen shall have the right to assemble and to participate in public meetings and processions peacefully and without arms, subject to any reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the interests of public order or public health.’ The law here mentions reasonable restrictions. Every citizens or political party to bound to abide by these rules.

However, no one has the right to obstruct or hamper the programmes of any other political party or alliance. According to media reports, BNP had initially decided to hold a public rally in Suhrawardy Udyan on 27 September, but later postponed this to 29 September. Yet, astonishingly, the Awami League-led 14 party alliance declared that it would hold a public meeting on the same day. As it is, Dhaka city is afflicted with traffic congestion on a daily basis. Public rallies of two major political parties on the same day would create unimaginable traffic jams. The 14 party alliance could have held their rally on a different day. Or they could have requested BNP to change the date of their public meeting. Instead they declared that they would block all BNP workers in the lanes and alleyways of the city. That is both unethical and unlawful. It also reveals the weakness of Awami League and the 14 party alliance.
Leaders of the 14 part alliance have said they would not allow BNP to take to the streets. They should keep it mind, such threats will serve to harm themselves more than anyone else.
With the elections ahead, the political parties are bound to hold public meetings and rallies to inform the people of their agenda and programmes. But if such activities are cubed in anyway, things can turn awry. It is up to each political party to decide on its programmes. The government or ruling party cannot dictate it to do this or that. It is for the government to ensure that these programmes do not cause any disruption or threat to public life. The law enforcement agencies must exercise much care and caution in this regard. They are to uphold and protest the law, not the interests of any particular political party.
No political party or alliance can disrupt the programmes of any other political party by deliberately holding counter programmes. The ruling camp has been acting extremely perturbed and stirred up ever since BNP joined hands with the Oikya Prokria (Unity Process) and Jukta Front (Joint Front). If the government allows one party to hold its programmes but obstructs the programmes of another and fails to take any action against assaults on the opposition, then questions will arise as to how far a free and credible election can be held under such a government. At the same time, a BNP leader’s call for everyone to ‘stay ready’ from 1 October, also does not bode well.
It is hoped that no quarter does anything to create agitation in the political arena. Public suffering will only increase. There should be also alternatives to frequent public rallies in Dhaka, already crippled by overwhelming traffic congestion. Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar can also be used for political campaigning if the government actually wants to provide a level playing field for everyone.