–Golam Maula Rony–

A long time ago, I shared a story with BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman. In 2019, I had an extensive discussion with him, which eventually turned into a personal chat. After the shocking events of the 2018 election results, the BNP was left stunned. The Awami League capitalized on this by launching counterattacks, propaganda, lawsuits, and violence, creating a terrifying situation that left everyone, from the party’s top leadership to grassroots workers, utterly confused.

Before delving into this further, it’s essential to explain the term “confused” and recount a significant historical story I shared with Tarique Rahman in 2019, which seems relevant in 2025.

The English word confused translates to “bibhranto” in Bangla, meaning bewildered or perplexed. When confusion overtakes a living being, leaving it incapable of understanding its circumstances or making decisions, it falls into a state of bewilderment. Today, we find the entire nation of Bangladesh in such a state, akin to countless instances throughout human history where people, birds, animals, and other living beings have been similarly bewildered. Only intelligent, resilient, and visionary leaders have historically managed to navigate out of such confusion.

Confusions can either be natural or human-made. Natural confusions include phenomena like mirages, or disorientation during natural disasters. For instance, the current devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, USA, have not only confused Americans but also thrown the entire global civilization, technology, and progress into uncertainty. On the human-made front, conflicts like those in Yemen, Israel, and Saudi Arabia have created chaotic and perplexing situations for the people of those regions. Similarly, in 2025, Bangladesh’s interim government, political parties, the general public—and even livestock—find themselves in a state of deep confusion.

Political confusion, among the many forms of bewilderment, is the most harmful. Such confusion has led to countless deaths, famines, wars, and unrest. Long-term political confusion can result in the loss of a nation’s sovereignty and independence, fragmenting it into chaos or even extinction. A nation’s survival amidst such confusion depends on a leader’s steadfastness, vision, integrity, and commitment to justice.

Unfortunately, the confusion we experienced in 2019 has not subsided; rather, it has grown into an enormous crisis by 2025. The nation now faces unprecedented uncertainty. No one knows what will happen tomorrow—whether someone will unexpectedly seize power or if the Awami League will return with its iron grip. Questions abound: When will the elections occur? Who will be the next Prime Minister or President? Businesspeople cannot decide whether to continue their operations or shut down. The wealthy are unsure whether to stay in the country or move their assets abroad for safety. Meanwhile, the working-class population lives hand-to-mouth, uncertain about tomorrow’s work opportunities or meals.

When visionary and capable leaders take charge, confusion dissolves. Ancient historian Herodotus shared an extraordinary tale in this context, which I narrated to Tarique Rahman in 2019 and am recounting today in 2025.

After the death of Persia’s legendary Emperor Darius, his son Xerxes ascended the throne in October 486 BCE. Six years into his reign, Xerxes launched a historic invasion of Greece with a massive force of 5.3 million soldiers and over 10 million auxiliary personnel. This massive army crossed the Hellespont (Dardanelles Strait), striking terror across Europe. Entire cities were abandoned, and people fled. Xerxes, pleased with the enemy’s perceived weakness, delayed making strategic decisions, delegating them to his generals.

A year passed without decisive action. Taking advantage of this delay, Greek forces under the leadership of Athens and Sparta launched guerrilla attacks. One day, a female general approached Xerxes and said, “Majestic Emperor! We are your humble servants. You have tasked us with making decisions about the war. Yet, despite a year of effort, we’ve failed. Even another year may not suffice because servants cannot think clearly in their master’s presence. We exist only to serve you and execute your orders. Please, take back this responsibility and guide us.”

Her words jolted Xerxes into action. He issued commands without delay, but his earlier hesitation had already cost him. Despite his overwhelming forces, overconfidence and delay led to a devastating defeat. The coalition of Greek states, with only 500,000 soldiers, ultimately outmaneuvered and expelled Xerxes’ massive army from Europe.

In 2019, I shared this story with Tarique Rahman, though I no longer remember the specific reason. However, I find myself sharing the same story in 2025, this time with the current interim government, through this column in Bangladesh Pratidin. The irony is that, like the 180 million people of Bangladesh, I too am drowning in confusion.

———————————

(The Writer is a former Member of Parliament and Political Analyst)