Tribute to Justice Shahabuddin: The man who led us back to democracy

Former president of Bangladesh, Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed passed away on March 19, 2022. In grateful remembrance of his contribution to steering the nation from autocracy to democracy during the turbulent days of 1990-1991, The Daily Star is reprinting an editorial written in his honour on October 11, 1991, after he resigned from the presidency on October 9, 1991, handing over power to the newly-formed government.

It was perhaps his finest hour. As Justice Shahabuddin bade farewell to the country's highest office, he had the rare satisfaction of any Chief Executive to be carrying along with him the grateful appreciation of the nation for a job well done. He took charge of the State's affairs when the edifice of power lay in ruins. Today he leaves behind a sovereign parliament, a popularly elected leadership, a unanimously adopted form of government and, most importantly, a Constitution that has been shorn of its undemocratic features. Any one of the above could suffice to be a lifetime's achievement for a statesman or a politician.

The 306 days Presidency of Justice Shahabuddin was low on profile and high on performance. Ribbon cutting here and pontificating there were neither his style nor a part of his agenda. His single-minded attention to the task for which he was called upon to assume the office of the President was all that he cared for and all that he did. We must remember that he was not an actor in any of the events that propelled him on to the centre-stage. However, he was a superb manager of the consequences of those events—starting from organising and running the interim government, to steering the nation's transition to a democratic system, to the final step of electing his own replacement.

In a remarkable display of courage, leadership, clarity of vision, impartiality, unwavering faith in democratic norms and unfaltering commitment to national interest, the former Acting President gave us, what was till then an impossible dream—a free, fair and peaceful election. Through the skilful management of that one single event, he: a) restored our faith in elections, which through repeated riggings and shameless manipulations was reduced to nothing; b) made the parliament what it was meant to be, the supreme representative body and the highest legislature, and not a gathering place for goons and lackeys; c) gave dignity and honour to the representatives of the people; d) sent sky high the prestige of our system of government, a prestige which is of immense importance for a country in desperate search for positive image. On a more practical plane, Justice Shahabuddin showed us that however archaic and corruption-ridden our administrative system is, it still can be made to deliver if the leadership is honest and determined. It was the same administration, the same police and the same official bodies that Ershad used to cheat the people of their votes which the venerable Judge used to do the exact opposite.

This journal pays tribute to Justice Shahabuddin—and in so doing echoes the sentiment of the nation—for his contribution in strengthening the foundation of democracy in the country. It was his expert and meticulous handling of volatile political issues, timely initiatives and courageous moves that have helped us in attaining in nine months what we had mostly lost, and in some cases, ourselves destroyed in the last 16 years.

We have had leaders of many kinds; charismatic, visionary, intellectual and, of course, corrupt. But never one as unassuming, low-key, committed and so thoroughly devoid of any inclination to cling to power. Justice Shahabuddin, through his single-minded dedication to serve the nation has given us a new confidence and pride. As he left office of the President, he stood tall. And for his accomplishments, the nation stood taller.