Much to the relief of all, Rozina was granted bail after a weekend inside which saw many Bangladeshis very angry with the Government. This very unnecessary delay was however symptomatic of the way the issue was handled from the beginning, without tact, competence and confidence. From the manner in which Rozina was kept interned in a room by officials of the Ministry for five hours to the night stay at the police station but certainly the denial of bail for two days are all a sign of unsure governance at the mid- level. And this segment probably needs some repairing in everyone’s interest.
Rozina’s case was from the very beginning ambiguous and conflicting. There will always be investigating journalism that is based on leaked documents in one form or other. It doesn’t matter in which shape or form and how it was obtained. It’s a peculiar trait of the media in non-totalitarian societies, that in the end, the “best interest of the people” prevails over the concept of legality. It’s a moral duty vs legal obligation debate that can’t end and won’t end. However, what the situation after that occurs is what matters and should have been better managed.
The Government may already have lost the debate on the “theft” though what will happen in the court is another matter. Rozina is pronounced a patriot in the court of public opinion and that is all that matters. Of course one never knows if and when that will happen but the rather unexpected unity of the working journalists is certainly a news. It cut across all the groups and clusters making it a full-fledged popular movement of professionals. And that is what should make many ponder.
Public resentment was very widespread and cut across groups and sections of the media consuming class. The resentment against the amlas is quite high and that should be taken into account. It’s something which can’t be ignored because the current regime is not based on its politicians and their content but the amla class and their performance. But they aren’t looking very shining as of today.
This is particularly so in the days of Covid and the ministry concerned is Health. So many reports of corruption, mishandling and abuse have been reported and even worse experienced by the people that nobody has any positive opinion about them. So the kind of moral high ground the ministry tried to take on Rozina’s ‘theft’ was all strong strategy. Health has such a massive brand problem that the last thing it should have tried was to claim being victims. It didn’t work.
Two kinds of public sentiments prevailed. One was of those who were politically opposed to the current regime but this voice was small and opportunistic and shows how tiny that voice has become. The largest roar came from the Facebook consuming middle class who resented both power and corruption. It’s this voice that needs to be listened to.
Some have found that it was becoming a part of a major movement but that isn’t the case. No one takes to the street unless livelihood is at stake and that isn’t the case. But that not all are happy particularly at various segments of the Government is also clear. As a Minister said, “The Health ministry is making the rest of the Government look bad. “ Precisely, It’s time to take a hard look inside and everyone will benefit from that.
