BACK TO TAHRIR SQUARE

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It is unfortunate that the youth of Egypt who wanted to build a democratic country in which people could share the power for their own good have been now again “thrown to the streets” so to say because of the stand adopted by the military. They are again forced to come on to the street to achieve their goal of establishing a people’s government where they can live with “dignity, democracy and justice”

When I wrote in this column on 13th February, 2011 about the “success” of the people’s movement at Tahrir square I had said as follows
“ …………Question arises for consideration is whether the army can give democracy, liberty, dignity and self respect to the people of Egypt. Did the youth of Egypt fight for getting freedom or liberty from the army. One should always know that liberty, freedom or democracy are not given but are wrested or taken………………….

“………….. the protesters having fought for ‘dignity, democracy and justice’ now should try to make the army to go back to the barracks and the intellectuals, learned people, political leaders, Constitutional Experts, lawyers etc should form a constituent assembly and frame a constitution which they should give unto themselves. The constitution should reflect all the aspirations of the people of Egypt. Let it not be given by the army or under their supervision. One should always remember the old saying “ the arm that gives can also take back”. So tread carefully protesters of Tahrir Square!!!. Come out of your euphoria and try to achieve your solemn goal – Dignity, justice and democracy.”

Though late, it is heartening to see the youth who had staged the protests have realized their folly in blindly believing the military. If only they had insisted on transfer of power to the speaker of the Parliament, this situation would not have arisen. Be that as it may, one cannot blame the agitators or protestors also because they believed the army. The reason was understandable. When they were agitating against the deposed President, the army was co-operating with them without trying to suppress the uprising. Now one can realize what made them to keep their guns in reverse arms. Perhaps their intentions were not honourable. They wanted to get the power and then to show to the people their real face.

We have seen in many countries where the army after taking over power in the name of “preserving the integrity and the interest of the nation” have thereafter never gave up their power back to the people. That is how many were not surprised when they heard Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi speaking the same language of the ousted President Hosni Mubarak when he addressed the protesters from his secure office.

Here is what deposed President Mubarak said in February 2011
“ My primary responsibility now is security and independence of the nation to ensure a peaceful transfer of power in circumstances that protect Egypt and the Egyptians and allow handing over responsibility to whoever the people choose in the coming presidential election”.

This is what General Tantawi said two days ago when he addressed the people directly:
“The ancient Egyptian military has an established doctrine that it is an inherent part of the Egyptian people whose task is to protect the nation. We cannot allow standing against the people……we embarked on planning a political process that ends with handing over power to an elected civil authority with a free democratic will.”

The army should be aware as to how they got power in January 2011 and it was through a peaceful ‘coup de tat’ because of the Tahrir Square protests. But now the General says that the Tahrir square protesters do not represent the aspiration of the majority of Egyptians!! Deposed President Honsi Mubarak also spoke the same language. One need not be surprised if Egypt slips into chaos and anarchy.

But let us hope that the efforts of the Tahrir Square protesters will not go down the drain in vein.