‘Bahrain opposition condemns police and civilian killings’ read the article that appeared in the Al Monitor (October 25), citing the recent deadly attack on policemen in Eker, which saw one killed and another wounded.
Wow! Sympathising with security personnel is a new phenomenon displayed by the opposition groups given their recorded history to the contrary, but whether the present ‘change of heart’ is a political gimmick or has a genuine motive is yet to be seen.
Genuine dialogue requires a peaceful physical environment. Opposition groups which seek a genuine dialogue should co-operate with the government and extend their tacit support in reducing violence and help trace the culprits to bring them to justice. Rhetoric of vehement denunciation should be accompanied by practical actions.
Unless factories that manufacture Molotov cocktails dry up, the hands that throw volleys of Molotovs are made to stop, the thugs are disciplined to respect expatriate workers, attempts to sabotage the economy are subdued, firebombing of private and public properties are stopped, roads are safe to drive without blockades, preachers are made to stop indoctrinating the youth with sectarian ideology, ignominy is converted to magnanimity, unless, unless…
If the opposition groups don’t play an active and proactive role in curbing these social malaises, they are irrelevant to the politics of Bahrain and the call for a dialogue is null and void. And if the violence continues they will be outside observers. The government will spare no time cuddling them, rather it will invest its time and resources to maintain the security the country desperately needs.
The perpetual violence and abuse of free expression under the pretext of ‘peaceful rallies’, has prompted the government to suspend all rallies until the security of the country is established. This is a step in the right direction. Some Western governments and a host of so-called human rights organisations have condemned the move. They failed to understand the turmoil, violence, thuggery and vandalism we are experiencing. They saw our situation with their own prisms, rather than ours.
These gewgaws should be ignored as nobody should tell us how to handle our internal affairs. The government has shown restraint when the basic rights of free speech and demonstrations were violated umpteen times. However, it is time now to curb these violations.
The suspension of all rallies has a dual purpose. One, it will reduce the street violence, curb destruction to public property and help maintain security. Second, it will give ample time for the opposition to understand the accountability and the responsibilities of free speech and explain it to their followers and the thugs to show political decorum. Next time when the security is maintained, their followers will use rather than abuse free speech to express their rights? Hmmmm let’s hope.
Abu Mohammed