It is good to note that the government is taking tougher actions against all corrupt elements irrespective of political identity. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has boldly reiterated the objective of the ongoing crackdown on corrupt elements, emphasizing that no one is above the law, not even any member of her party (Awami League) or family.
The premier is relentlessly working to restrain corruption implementing her ‘zero tolerance’ policy. Now she is taking actions against the corrupt leaders irrespective of their political identities. As the pro-liberation force Awami League is in the government in three consecutive terms, some outsiders have entered the party at different levels and also in the front organizations. In this regard, Awami League should take necessary steps to identify the outsiders who joined in over the last decade, bring them under strong vigilance and hold them to account if found guilty.
In Bangladesh, corruption has been a very common disease prevailing in different forms since time immemorial. With the passage of time the definitions and doctrines of corruption have changed. People who work on right principles are unrecognized and considered to be foolish in the modern society. Earlier, bribes were paid for getting wrong things done, but now bribe is paid for getting right things done at right time.
However, while much progress has been made over the last years to address corruption, we still have a lot to learn from the past to fight corruption effectively. Political corruption has long been a serious impediment to Bangladesh’s development. To ensure a more fair and trustworthy government, our politicians must act more ethically.
The one thing that needs to be ensured is proper, impartial, and unbiased use of various anti-social regulations to take strong, deterrent, and timely legal action against the offenders, irrespective of their political influences or money power. Firm steps and concrete actions are required to curb the menace and create an atmosphere where the good, patriotic, intellectuals will come forward to serve the country with pride, virtue, and honesty for the welfare of the people of Bangladesh.