The LGBTQ issue  has been controversial throughout the world. Even in the West, which boasts its liberal values, has myriad debates regarding the issue. The controversy is augmented through the discussion about gender fluidity, a complex concept that stirs endless discussions.

One must be careful, however, that the issue is neither new nor Western. The oriental literature, folklore, history and other sources suggest this part of the world has been dealing with the matter since antiquity. The problem however is deploying it as a political tool.

As the world is becoming ever more connected and globalised, the new order requires a minimum level of consensus among what is acceptable as cultural norms. Reducing the cultural cleavages and stopping fault lines are vital. As a result, these cultural issues should become a matter of discussion so that the global community reaches a minimum agreement.

However, this is easier said than being done. Some cultures and beliefs are extremely rigid with certain issues while the others have contrasting views. When we want to reach a consensus, we must not envisage certain cultures inferior to others and uphold certain ones as the epitome of humanity and global values.

West, however, has been doing so ever since they started to colonise the Global South in order to legitimise the action.

And that is where issues like the LGBTQ become a Machiavellian weapon for the regimes, especially the crooked ones in our part of the world. They know it will be a useful bait. Most of the people will react angrily if the government tries to impose these norms and the benefit will be two-fold.

One, people will be distracted from material issues like democratic rights and economic disaster. On the other hand, the regime can easily portray the mob as ‘savage’, who are not aligned to the so-called modern civilization aka Western liberal values. As a result, the regime will get backing from the powerful West.

We have seen this sort of ploy in the name of terrorism. After the fall of the Soviet Union, the West, especially the US, slapped Muslims with that tag and legitimised their invasions in the Middle East. In Bangladesh, the current regime garnered foreign support by proclaiming themselves the force against radical Muslims and sole agent of liberal politics.

Now, not only has the regime lost its support due to its tyranny over the last one and a half decades, the global politics has somewhat changed. Rather than vilifying the Muslims, the world has been divided into various divisions.

So, the old ploy with new weapons is a good chance for the regime. They now want to use the LGBTQ controversy to play the old game.

It is indeed a tricky trap. The mob, who are already devastated by and angry with the lack of justice and endless corruption in the country, will be easily agitated when they feel their values are attacked. As they are apparently unable to attack the bastion of power, they will be easily instigated to attack the soft cores like the cultural issues.

But the people who are responsible for leading the long struggle to regain democracy should somehow save people and the country from such traps and focus on winning the big war, not minor battles.