Shudir Baran Mazi

Elections are for the welfare of the people of the country, for the development and improvement of the country. So it is very normal to have different opinions in elections.

In the aftermath of the twelfth election, we see news, pictures and video clips of electoral violence almost every day, through international, national media and social media. And these news pictures and video clips hurt and frighten us.

The violence that took place after or during the election and the casualties are all citizens of Bangladesh and also some of our relatives. These similitudes do not carry any good message for us. In this, violence and hatred towards each other increases extremely. Harmony is destroyed.

The subculture of election-time and post-election violence that has been going on in our country for a long time makes elections questionable. Perhaps the only one in the world is our country Bangladesh to serve the people, to develop the country and to retain the ability to develop, during and after the election violence, arson, looting, attacks on shops and business establishments, vandalism, grabbing of land and property. happens Even crops are damaged.

A false case is often resorted to defeat a psychologically created opponent. Which we witness in national, international media and social media. Which paints us with the flag of shame and hatred. It is important to awaken these senses. Such post-election violence is naturally worrisome. In fact, post-election violence has become a culture in the country. Electoral violence tarnishes the image of the government and the state. But remember, we are known as a peaceful nation to the world.

The wounds of electoral and post-election violence do not heal easily. This violence creates mutual enmity. The damage during election and post-election violence exceeds hundreds of millions of rupees and there is some permanent damage as well.

The minority Hindu community was the worst affected by the election violence. The situation of the minority Hindu community in elections is much like that of Ahinkul. In the past we have seen many people killed, physically abused, many houses set on fire in post-election violence; But there was no trial of those incidents. In most cases, the culprits were not brought to justice, rather political parties propagated that the cause of such violence was not political.

They termed it as social, group and relational factors. As a result, after the national elections, the winning party creates an intimidating environment for the leaders and activists of the opposing party, which is by no means desirable. Any change in government resulting from an election can affect the social, financial and political situation. Due to electoral violence, many people have fled their homes to try to escape.

Due to electoral violence, many minority Hindu families fled to India for survival. Which puts our political, democratic and freedom in question. One thing that is very noticeable and thought provoking is that the minority Hindu population has declined alarmingly at the same rate as the total population of our country has increased. Like other election violence, this election violence has seen attacks on minority Hindus in various parts of the country, vandalizing their houses, seizing property including fish enclosures and killing them.

After the elections, the administration should ensure that the leaders and workers of the opposing political parties are not subjected to any kind of harassment or torture. Those who will form the government after winning the elections should also understand that when they form the government, it is considered as the government of the state and not of any particular party.

They are responsible for the security of every citizen of the country. Therefore, the government should take strong steps to suppress such crimes. He will immediately arrest those responsible for the post-election violence and bring them under the law and ensure exemplary punishment.

The common people of the country believe that if the allegations against the elected candidate are proven in the election violence, his election should be canceled and if the punishment is ensured by bringing him under the law, it will be possible to prevent the election violence. To prevent electoral violence, we can prevent electoral violence by making the government tougher, ensuring justice for the guilty, responsible, political solidarity, mutual respect, social responsibility and administrative accountability, as well as enacting laws to protect minorities.

We need to get out of the culture of electoral violence not only for the sake of peace and stability in the country but also to keep the country's image bright abroad. It is desirable that the new government takes effective steps to curb the post-election violence.

Remember, any tolerance is reprehensible. Tolerant behavior is the beauty of democratic politics. It is expected that the leaders and workers of all parties will come out of the bad culture of electoral violence by respecting everyone's opinion, keeping morals and human values awake, everyone will come hand in hand with the conviction of building a non-communal and harmonious Bangladesh.

The writer is aTeacher, Haimchar Govt College, Chandpur