December,
1990. Ershad government has just fallen. A new caretaker government has been
formed under the leadership of Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Sahabuddin
Ahmed. Election winds blowing across the country. With the urge to implement
the outline of the three alliances. The combined student union has called to
resist the “Agents of Dictatorship”. Meanwhile, one afternoon, two secretaries
appeared at 'Bangabandhu Bhavan' at number 32. They want to meet Awami League
President Sheikh Hasina. Awami League President is very busy with elections,
activities of three alliances etc. assigned an important leader of Awami League
to listen to those two bureaucrats. That popular and influential leader in the
bureaucratic circles spoke to Keramat Ali and MK Anwar. Two bureaucrats said
they want to contest in the National Assembly elections. They have huge
popularity in their area. All they need now is the nomination of Awami League.
The responsible leader of Awami League told their desire to the party chief.
But Sheikh Hasina rejected their proposal. Sheikh Hasina returned MK Anwar and
Keramat Ali for two reasons. Firstly, both of them are blacklisted as Ershad's
friends. It was clearly stated in the outline of the three alliances that no
party of the three alliances would give shelter to any of Ershad's associates.
Awami League President showed respect to the outline of the three alliances.
Secondly, Awami League is a political organization. Obtaining party nominations
in political organizations is a lengthy political process. There is no shortcut
to getting nominated in politics. No one gets nominated suddenly. Awami
League's door was closed for two bureaucrats. But incidentally at that time an
influential leader of BNP came to 'Bangabandhu Bhavan' at Dhanmondi 32. To
attend the Tri-Alliance Committee meeting. At the end of the meeting, he met
those two bureaucrats. After listening to their interest, he took them to the
BNP office. Arranged them a meeting with Begum Zia. The next day, they resigned
from government service and officially joined the BNP. MK Anwar and Keramat Ali
had no difficulty in getting BNP's nomination for the election. They contested
as ready-made candidates of BNP and won. BNP surprised everyone by winning a
single majority in the National Parliament in the February 1991 elections. BNP
formed the government with the support of Jamaat. Both MK Anwar and Keramat Ali
became ministers in the BNP government. Among them, MK Anwar was an influential
leader of BNP until his death. This is a classic example of shortcut to become
MP and minister in the political history of Bangladesh. No standard practice.
No political practices. no loyalty to the party. No loyalty to the party. No
knowledge of the party's goals and ideals. In a flash like Aladdin's lamp, they
became MP and minister. During the reign of Ershad, two powerful bureaucrats
developed their area by spending state money and later became ready-made
candidates. MK Anwar and Keramat Ali's shenanigans in the 1991 elections opened
up the 'shortcut' way of politics. However, the trend of becoming an MP in
shortcut way started from 1975 onwards. Zia formed the BNP with mercenaries
from various parties. Now this trend is ubiquitous. As the tendency to become
MPs in shortcut is increasing among individuals, it is now normal for political
parties to look for 'ready-made' candidates, excluding long-time party
stalwarts. 'Ready-made' candidates are much like ready-made clothes. You go to
a store and get a dress. You joined the party and become an MP with money.
After the 1991 debacle, the Awami League moved away from its conservative
stance in nominating candidates. The election of 1996 was a challenge to the
existence of Awami League. Awami League also started looking for ready-made MP
candidates to face this challenge. BNP is already a party based on ready-made
candidates. When the two major parties tend to turn to ready-made candidates,
becoming MPs in shortcut got recognized as normal political practice.
Businessmen, ex-bureaucrats, retired army officers all joined the race to
become MPs in the shortcut. In the 1996 election, the Awami League denied the
nomination of many field politicians, including the late advocate Sahara
Khatun, Mozaffar Hossain Paltu, to make way for short-cut nominations. What is
the formula to become an MP in the shortcut? You own huge wealth (legally or
illegally). Go to your election area and build some mosques and madrasas. Give
charity. Surprised everyone by sacrificing 100 cows in your area on
Eid-ul-adha. Boom. You are popular. Now some people of Awami League, BNP will
contact you openly and secretly. You give them shiny new money. This is not the
only shortcut to becoming an MP. You are a government official. People of your
area come to you for various reasons. There is no road or bridge in the area,
the school has to be included in the MPO, the roof of the mosque has to be
welded, and if you provide jobs to the unemployed in the area, you will be
blessed. When a bureaucrat becomes a secretary, he has a lot of power. The power
of secretaries is now limitless. When the outbreak of Corona started in 2020,
secretaries were given the responsibility of the district. The secretaries
owned the all-power of the district through the district commissioner.
Bureaucrats were taking all the decisions of the district. Their value
increased in the area. Opportunistic sycophants were flocking. Suggesting that
they are wiser than a member of parliament. If you were the MP of the area,
this area would have changed. People want you. The bureaucrats surrounded by
flattery are also giddy with happiness. They also thought, what is the MP doing
in the area? I made the road. I am making a list of ‘kabikha’. It is up to me
to decide who gets home from Ashrayan Project. So, they became a bigger Awami
League than Awami League. The greed of shortcut to MP got them. Earlier, the
businessmen went ahead in the race to become an MP in a shortcut. The number of
businessmen in the National Parliament is now more than 50 percent. Most of
them have no previous experience in politics. They are doing business, taking a
huge amount of loan from the bank and not paying it with various loopholes and
not even becoming debtor. They created their own mercenary forces in the area.
Made another Awami League within Awami League with 'My Men'. Among the
businessmen who have become or are in the process of becoming a shortcut MP,
have a kind of business 'motivation'. If he becomes an MP or a minister, he
will be able to grow his business. Debt will be easy in the secretariat. No need
to pay bribes. It will be convenient to get the tender. So, election is good
investment for them. Since 1975, businessmen have therefore been very
enthusiastic about investing in the political sector. Politicians in the
national parliament are cornered by the tide of their money. Many up-and-coming
politicians have also been lured by the magic of becoming shortcut MP of
established businessmen. They have imbibed honesty, idealism, sacrifice etc. in
the self. But to get nomination, money will be required. Elections will cost
money. What is the way to make money? Tender trade, recruitment trade etc.
Under the guise of a politician, they are embarking on a robbery mission. You
can't become an MP without money. So, they run to become bigwigs in short cuts to
become MPs. Their number is not less in the national parliament. Compared to
that, the presence of bureaucrats in the National Parliament is negligible and
some people in the bureaucratic circles are endlessly sad about this. They only
have power as long as they have their job. But when the tenure of the job is
over, the struggle begins. Some try to get contractual employment after their
tenure. Some wants a commission or a post-retirement job in an organization and
some expects to become the chairman of a bank. Thus, bureaucrats have captured
almost all institutions and positions. The national parliament has not yet come
under their control. However, the main reason for this, is not the failure of
bureaucrats. Now the way bureaucrats squirm around power like a fish in monsoon
bill, it is not a difficult task for them to enter the parliament. They will
make a good competition with the businessmen. But the obstacle is actually a
law. Representation of the People Ordinance 1972. Section 12(1) (f) of this Act
states, ‘Provided that no person shall be eligible to be elected or to remain
as a member (Member of Parliament) if- (cha) if he has resigned or retired from
any service in the Republic or Statutory Government Authority or from the
Department of Defense and three years have not elapsed after his resignation
and retirement.’ Just as stale flowers are not valued, bureaucrats' 'artificial
power' is exhausted after three years of retirement. After the lapse of three
years, those who survive in the field of politics, continue to exist on their
own strength. At this time they have to go through the political process. This
time, bureaucrats (military and civil) want to challenge this clause before the
National Assembly elections. A writ petition was filed in the High Court
Division of the Bangladesh Supreme Court challenging this clause on Thursday,
January 19. In pursuance of a writ petition, the High Court issued a ruling
seeking to know why the provision of participation in parliamentary elections
after three years of retirement from government service is not
unconstitutional. The High Court bench comprising Justice Zafar Ahmed and
Justice Md. Bashir Ullah issued this rule. Brigadier General (retd) Shamim
Kamal filed a writ petition challenging 12 (1) (f) of the Representation of the
People Ordinance. For some days there was pressure from the bureaucrats to
cancel this section. At first some bureaucrats tried to persuade the government
to abolish this clause. But the government has so far not taken any initiative to
change this law. Earlier some bureaucrats had approached the court to cancel
the law. But in order to file a writ petition in the court, the petitioner must
be aggrieved - the High Court did not consider the petition on this argument.
Now the writ petition is pending before the court. Judges will make a final
decision about it by analyzing their intelligence and legal aspects. However,
there are two types of arguments for and against this law. A bureaucrat spends
the first year on post-retirement leave after retirement. During this time, he
does not work but enjoys salary and allowances. For the next two years, he
feels that heat of power. A restriction of three years of non-participation in
elections has been imposed on government officials, considering that he may
gain extra advantage in the electoral field. Those who are in favor of it think
that if this provision is not there, bureaucratic candidates will get extra
advantage in the election field. Considering the political party candidates who
can show more power in the elections, a newly retired bureaucrat can influence
the field administration in the conduct of the elections, the law-and-order
forces will show favoritism towards him. As a result, political parties will be
motivated to nominate bureaucrats. They will be the most sought-after
ready-made candidates who can become MPs in a shortcut.
Again,
the argument against it is not to be dismissed easily. According to the
constitution, the law is equal for every citizen. Article 27 of the
Constitution states, "All citizens are equal before the law and are
entitled to equal protection of the law." After retirement, a government
officer and employee are equal to 10 ordinary citizens. Therefore, barring them
from participating in the election is a violation of Article 27 of the
Constitution.
There
are more such arguments for and against. But I think the decision of
bureaucrats, businessmen, looters, black money owners not to participate in
elections is an important political commitment. The decision of the political
parties is important in this regard. After 75, Zia seized power and said that
he would make politics 'difficult'. Indeed, politics in the country has become
difficult for politicians. Real politicians are gradually falling behind in the
process of becoming members of Parliament. Major political parties want to win
any kind of election. And they look for ready-made candidates to win. Again, to
further inflate the huge illegal wealth and keep him safe, the march to become
an MP is also growing. Do you remember the former MP of Laxmipur-2 Constituency
Mohammad Shahid Islam Papul? He became MP only with the power of money. He also
made his wife a member of parliament under the women's quota with money. Many
papuls now want to gain impunity through elections. In this situation, if
retired government officials also contest to become MPs, then politics will
become more difficult for real politicians. There are many ways to contribute
to the country. One can contribute to the development of the country from where
they are. A businessman will play a major role in advancing the economy of the
country. That is his sacred work. Why should he be an MP? A government official
can advance the country by working with honesty and devotion. He does not need
to be an MP for this. Citizens of every profession have different positions,
roles and responsibilities in society. Just as it is not a good sign for
businessmen or bureaucrats to occupy the field of politics, similarly
politicians should not be businessmen. If everyone in the country wants to be
an MP-minister, then the balance will be lost. That imbalance is now being
noticed in various fields. Recently, the Prime Minister has taken some
initiatives to bring politics back to the politicians. In several by-elections
she gave a message by nominating tried and tested politicians of the party. In
the meeting of the parliamentary party, she declared her determination to bring
forward the tried and tested candidates of the party in the next election. But
she can do so in a risk-free, unimportant by-election. When the opponents are
looking for ready-made candidates in the national parliament elections, will
Awami League be able to ignore those who want to be MPs in a shortcut? In the
2018 election, we saw a wave of ready-made candidates in the BNP. BNP revealed
its real politics by nominating a moneyed ready-made candidate instead of a
nationally known leader like Ehsanul Haque Milon. It is easy to predict the
ready-made candidate who will be in BNP in the next election. Awami League also
has the urge to change many constituencies. Will field politicians get priority
or Awami League will also look for ready-made candidates to make MPs in a
shortcut?
There are many doubts about the next national parliament election. Will BNP come to the election or not? Will there be free and fair elections or not? But I think the next election is a litmus test for politics. It is now a big challenge that the National Parliament should not be held hostage in the hands of ready-made MPs by shortcuts. Whether the politics will be in the hands of the politicians is going to be a serious test of the upcoming elections.
Comment
Comment
24
August 1954. D. Eisenhower the 34th president of the United States, signed an
exceptional law known as the "Communist Party Control Act." Through
this Act the Communist Party was banned in the United States. there was a
fierce debate about whether it was permissible to ban a political party
nationally in a country that valued freedom of expression. However, the law
argued in favor, saying that "democracy and terrorism cannot coexist. In
democratic politics, there is no path to change the government other than
through elections." Many sections of this 1954 law have been repealed over
the years and numerous states have also invalidated it. However, the law is
still in effect. According to this law, one of the world's leading democratic
countries prohibits the Communist Party. Not only the United States. The United
States is not alone in this. Many countries around the world have banned or are
banning political parties that support or engage in terrorism, violate the
constitution, or pose a threat to the state. In many countries, even after a
political party becomes extremely popular, it loses the right to organize for
fostering terrorism. One such neighboring country of the United States is
Canada. In 1940, the radical right-wing political party 'National Unity Party'
was banned in that country for the same reason, supporting extremism and
terrorism. In the world's largest democracy, India, more than 40 organizations
have been banned. All of these banned organizations are associated with
terrorism. The Communist Party of India (Maoist), the National Democratic Front
of Bodoland, the People's Liberation Army, the Popular Front of India, and the
National Socialist Council of Nagaland, among other organizations, challenge
the integrity and sovereignty of India. Therefore, these organizations are
banned. Bhutan is a country of peace. But in the 1980s, it experienced
political unrest and violence. During that time, the Bhutan People's Party
became popular, but it was eventually banned. Even today, Bhutan People's Party
remains prohibited. In 2003, the Communist Party in Bhutan was also banned and there
are allegations of militant activities associated with that organization. The
Cambodia National Rescue Party started violent political activities to
overthrow the government in Cambodia in 2017. The Rescue Party was banned on
various charges, including allegations of encouraging terrorism in politics. In
the past, there were instances of political parties being banned in Egypt in
2014 on charges of violating the constitution and involvement in terrorism,
including the "Anti-Coup Alliance" and the "Independent
Party." Many political parties have been banned in Egypt at various times.
Since the Second World War, all political parties in Germany that have
associations with Nazi ideology have been banned. If a political party is found
to have even the slightest sympathy for Nazism, it is immediately banned. Three
such political parties were banned in 1992. These parties were the German
Alternative, National Offensive, and the Nationalist Front. The German Workers
Party was also banned in 1995 on similar charges. In 2018, the Hong Kong
National Party was banned on allegations of terrorist activities. Due to their
radical right-wing politics, the Saint Party was banned in the Netherlands in
1998. There are many similar examples like these.
Let's talk about Bangladesh now. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party or BNP is undoubtedly one of the most popular political organizations in the country. However, from its inception, this political organization has been in violation of the country's constitution, democracy and laws. The foundation of the BNP is inherently illegal, unconstitutional and a hindrance to the fundamental consciousness of the Bangladeshi state. BNP was created in the cantonment. The founder of this party violated the constitution, seized power unlawfully. The party should have been banned as soon as democratic rule was restored in the country. However, that did not happen. This party won the National Assembly elections twice in 1991 and 2001. However, BNP has violated the constitution even while in power. They have supported terrorism and endorsed extremism. In October 2001, after winning the elections, they chose a ruthless path to suppress the opposition, using Nazi-like tactics. They unleash demonic rampages on minorities and innocent people. BNP’s involvement in the grenade attack on August 21, 2004 is now proven in court and the party should have been banned solely for this crime. Although the state did not show a red card to BNP, the people of the country clearly showed a yellow card to BNP in the 2008 elections. But still, the BNP did not learn its lesson. Before the 2013 elections, the BNP once again resorted to violence, burning and vandalizing across the country, and choosing the path of arson and terrorism. For the same crime the United States banned the Communist Party by law in 1954. Bhutan People's Party was banned in Bhutan in 1990 for the same offense. In 2014 the Independent Party was banned in Egypt for the same offense that the BNP had committed in 2013 and 2014. However, the government couldn't take constitutional action against the BNP at that time. This reflects the government's failure.
Many had assumed that after the so-called 2015 movement, the BNP would change its approach. They would feel that the people of this country do not favor violent and destructive politics. After the 2018 election, the BNP chose the path of peaceful protest. From 2022, the party continued to protest against the government through peaceful gatherings, meetings and various programs. However, on October 28, the BNP proved that they are indeed a terrorist party. The BNP has not learned from its past and it has not changed much. They seek to oust an elected government not through the ballot but through acts of terror and arson. A video of a member of the police force is being brutally beaten to death is now circulating on the social media. Those responsible for the attack are all associated with the local leaders of the BNP. Their identities are not hidden. Everyone knows their names and addresses. Watching the video will make anyone's heart tremble and will haunt anyone's nightmares. When you see the scene of that innocent person's child crying, you won't be able to hold back your emotions. No one can tolerate this crime. The way BNP leaders and activists stormed Rajarbagh Police Hospital is astonishing. Not too long ago, Israel attacked a hospital in Gaza in a similar manner. That attack was condemned as a crime against humanity. The world was shocked by Israel's aggression. The BNP has committed the same crime by attacking a hospital. It is a heinous crime. Through this attack, the BNP has lost its political rights. The Chief Justice of the country is the guardian of the constitution, the head of the judiciary. An institution. When an attack occurs at the residence of the Chief Justice, it is an assault on the constitution. If any political party attacks the constitution, it is considered a violation of the constitution, an act of treason. A treasonous organization cannot exist in any independent country.
In a democratic state, the presence of multiple political parties with varying ideologies is normal. These parties will hold and advocate for different political beliefs. Their thoughts, consciousness, and ideals will shape public opinion. Different political parties will present their views to the people. The majority of the population will support the political party whose agenda they prefer, and they will cast their votes in elections. Those who win the people's votes will form the government. Those who cannot form the government will scrutinize the government's performance. They will point out mistakes and work to improve. This is the essence of democracy. Beating the police like snakes, setting hospitals on fire, or causing harm to innocent people is not politics; it is terrorism. Such acts of terrorism will not stop unless strict measures are taken against them. Terrorism and democratic politics cannot coexist. The main enemy of democracy is terrorism.
On
October 28, the BNP has proven that they are a terrorist organization. Just
like in sports, there are rules to follow. If you don't follow the rules, you
are shown a red card. Similarly, in politics, there are rules to abide by. If
the rules and laws are followed a political party must also face consequences. BNP
received a yellow card in 2008. Their crimes on October 28 are alarming. They no
longer deserve just a warning (yellow card). A red card is a must for them.
Syed Borhan Kabir, Executive
Director, Poriprekkhit
Email: poriprekkhit@yahoo.com
Comment
December
1998. A small news article on the inner pages of a daily newspaper - 'A farmer
commits suicide after failing to repay loans from Grameen Bank.' This incident
occurred in Sharsha, Jessore. Many farmers in this region had taken loans with
high interest from Grameen Bank. They hoped to repay the loans with the
proceeds from the new harvest. However, the devastating flood of 98’ ruined
everything. The farmers went to the Grameen Bank's office, hoping that at least
during the famine, they would be exempted from repaying the installment of the
loans. But the district office of Grameen Bank informed them that this was
beyond their authority. The burden to repay the loans intensifies on the people
affected by the wrath of the flood. Not only in Jessore but borrowers of
Grameen Bank all over the country were in dire straits. Many local Members of
Parliament from various areas brought this issue to the attention of the
Finance Minister. Considering the overall situation, the Finance Minister
instructed all NGOs to waive or to refrain from receiving it immediately.
Several small lending institutions like ASA, Proshika and several other
micro-credit institutions followed the government's directive. They waive one
month's interest during floods. Deferred payment of installments for two
months. But 'Grameen Bank' refuses to comply with the government's decision. In
this context, Dr. Muhammad Yunus, the Managing Director of the Grameen Bank,
describes how the bank's operations will be adversely affected due to a certain
decision. Without waiting for the government's decision or response, the
organization sends letters to all regional offices to maintain the previous
practice of collecting loan installments without any disruption. At this time,
a special team (force) was formed under the initiative of Grameen Bank to
collect the installments. Powerful, muscular youths from the area are recruited
into this team. They started threatening the borrowers by going door to door.
Then, they forcefully confiscate household items like rice or other assets if
necessary. They were often physically tortured to collect the installments. And
legal charges against the borrowers were frequent. From August 1998 to January
1999, Grameen Bank filed around 13,000 cases across the country to recover
installments. At least two hundred poor farmers were arrested in these cases.
They were taken to the police station and court with a rope around their waist,
as if they were any violent criminals. At that time, many farmers fled from
their land to escape the oppression of Grameen Bank. Rustam Mandal was a victim
of such ruthless exploitation. The news reported that Rustam Mandal had five
due weekly installments. Unable to pay the installment, a case was filed and an
arrest warrant was issued against him. Unable to find a way out, Rustam Mandal
committed suicide.
Rustam
Mandal was not the only victim. During the challenging period following the
flood, numerous farmers across the country resorted to taking their own lives
due to their inability to pay the installments of Grameen Bank. Mirza Azam, a
young member of parliament raised the issue in the national parliament on a
'point of order'. He stated, 'It's inhumane and unjust to drag a farmer to the
brink of suicide for a mere 200 taka.' He demanded the withdrawal of these
cases against the farmers. Mirza Azam also alleged that those who are
committing 'suicide' due to the inability to repay loans are essentially being
killed. After this issue was raised in the National Parliament, a heated
discussion ensued.
At
this time, a statement was issued from Grameen Bank led by Dr. Yunus. In the
statement, Grameen Bank completely denied allegations of harassment against
farmers. At the end of the statement, it was written that, "The law is
equal for everyone. There is no opportunity to differentiate the law for any
special individual." After 25 years, that incident has resurfaced before
my eyes, with Dr. Yunus at the center of international outrage and concern. On
August 17th, former U.S. President Barack Obama expressed his concern about Dr.
Yunus is being harassed. The letter, kept secret for 10 days by Dr. Yunus, was
published on August 27th by the 'Yunus Center.' On that day, 34 members of the
country's civil society expressed their concern about the government's actions
towards Dr. Muhammad Yunus. The next day, 160 prominent personalities from
around the world, including Nobel laureates, collectively wrote an open letter
urging the suspension of ongoing legal proceedings against Dr. Yunus. A day
later, Hillary Clinton declared on Twitter a formal battle against the
Bangladesh government on Dr. Yunus's behalf, calling on world leaders to stand
by him. As I read this passage with deep concentration, the scene of Rustam
Mandal's house flashed before my eyes. At that time in 1998, I used to program
an investigative report called 'Perspective' on Bangladesh Television. Based on
those news reports I did an episode on installment payment harassment. I had visited
the home of Rustam Mandal in Jessore. As they could not pay the installments,
the tin roofs of the house were taken away by the people of Grameen Bank.
Rustam Mandal's daughter was pale, in despair. His wife, a widow, was grieving
deeply. In an interview with the regional manager of the Rural Bank in Jessore,
he said, ‘There is no option to withdraw the case.’ International pressure to
withdraw the case against Dr Yunus. And after the death of Rustam Mandal, there
is a legal excuse to continue the case of collection of installments. What is
the truth? Is the law equal for everyone?
Article
27 of the Constitution of Bangladesh states, "All citizens are equal
before the law and entitled to equal protection of the law." So, why two
different policies for Dr. Yunus and Rustam Mandal?
Former
Attorney General Advocate Aminul Haq Amin used to fight against the allegations
of corruption against Ershad. On the day he passed away, he had gone to the
Appellate Division of the Bangladesh Supreme Court in the morning to oppose the
bail in a corruption case against Ershad. At that time, this fearless
individual became agitated. He said, ‘If a farmer cannot pay 10-taka
installment, they tie rope around their waist and send them to the jail. Due to
a lack of money, that farmer cannot go to court. And by embezzling crores of
state money, big crooks hire barristers and get out through loopholes in the
law. This is not justice.' As he was leaving the Appellate Division, he
suffered a heart attack and passed away. I remembered the words of Advocate
Aminul Haque again in the lamentation of some prominent people about Dr. Yunus.
The statement made by 160 world-renowned personalities on behalf of Dr. Yunus
has been published on their website by Chicago-based public relations
organization "Cision PR". These 160 individuals have been invited to
sign a declaration through a contact form on the website. Cision PR is one of
the renowned global communication firms, headquartered in the United States.
The firm specializes in promoting any brand, company, organization, or
individual skillfully. It has branches in 170 countries worldwide and
communicates in 40 different languages. This organization works on enhancing
the image of over a thousand clients. My question is, who gave them the
responsibility of getting the signatures of so many prominent people to prepare
such a statement on behalf of Dr. Yunus? How much did it cost? Earlier, a
statement of 46 people on behalf of Dr. Yunus was published in the form of an
advertisement in an influential media of the United States. Crores of money
were spent on that advertisement campaign. is Dr. Yunus trying to influence the
judiciary with money? Why can't a case be filed against him? Is he above the
law? Earlier, the Nobel Peace Prize winning economist had fought in several
cases. Those cases were filed by Dr. Yunus himself. Due to crossing the age
limit, he was sent to retirement from the position of managing director of
Grameen Bank. He challenged the government's decision and had faith in the
judiciary at that time. Why is it different now?" However, Dr. Yunus lost
in that case. The Supreme Court of the country declared the government's
retirement notification valid.
In
the fiscal year 2020-21, Dr. Yunus donated all the money from his personal
account to the Yunus Trust. NBR (National Board of Revenue) claimed a 15%
donation tax during that time. Dr. Yunus objected to making this donation and
filed a case against NBR. On May 31st, Dr. Yunus lost in three income tax
reference cases. He then deposited over 12 crore taka (more than 120 million
taka) to NBR through a pay order. Now the workers of Grameen Telecom have filed
a case alleging violation of labor laws. Now the workers of Grameen Telecom
have filed a case alleging violation of labor laws. Dr. Yunus wanted to settle
the case out of court with money. Money transactions were also done in illegal
ways. The case has reached the Supreme Court and now proceeding in the Labor
Court on the order of the Supreme Court. Dr. Yunus has filed a case, and there
are no issues with that. However, when the workers file a case, there is a problem.
What kind of justice is this! I believe most of the people who signed the
petition to stay the case against Yunus do not know a single thing about it.
They have been misled into this matter. Former American First Lady and
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has a separate bias towards Dr. Yunus. She
is always enthusiastic about doing something special for Dr. Yunus. When Dr.
Muhammad Yunus retired from the position of Managing Director of Grameen Bank
in Bangladesh, she violated all protocols and called the Prime Minister of
Bangladesh. United States always talks about the rule of law. However, they
themselves often ignore the rule of law for their own interests. They
constantly talk about human rights in the United States. But they do not
consider it a violation of human rights to deny workers their rightful wages.
So, does the rule of law mean granting freedom to individuals like Dr. Yunus
who are loyal to the United States?
Writer:
Editor in chief, Bangla Insider
Email:
poriprekkhit@yahoo.com
Comment
On Tuesday (June 6th) I had a meeting with a government official at 10 in the morning. However, even after 10:30, there was no sign of him. He is an important government official. Seeing the delay, I called him. He said, "Brother, I'm coming. There has been no water at home for seven days. I went to a relative's house with my wife and children to take a bath. How can we survive in this heat?" He arrived an hour and a half later and said, "The water pump in the apartment has been damaged due to load shedding. We don't have the financial capability to buy a new pump in this inflationary market. What should we do in this situation?" Having to go here and there like a refugee to take a bath. He informed me that the previous day he had to take his family to the office to take a bath there. Needless to say, when a mid-level government official is in this situation, it reflects the condition in which we, ordinary people, are living. Load shedding is becoming scarier day by day. Earlier people were unhappy. But now, they are gradually becoming outraged. Who knows when this dissatisfaction will erupt? That day an Awami League leader, who regularly goes to talk shows, was saying, 'Brother, I don't like going to talk shows anymore. What do I say about electricity? Why should we take the blame for the misdeeds of a few individuals? Those in the ruling Awami League who are in the field, those who talk to people and are connected to people are now not worried, but scared. The State Minister of Power and Energy has been in charge of the ministry for a solid 9 years. There is even a 'lifelong' adviser in this ministry. I don't want to criticize all of this. I have no desire to bring up the mistakes of the adviser and the minister. But I am shocked and surprised by the state minister's expression of grief. The State Minister of Power expressed sorrow regarding load shedding in parliament and press conferences. In psychology, there is a widely discussed topic called "body language" or nonverbal communication. The true, sincere, and heartfelt feelings of a person can be understood through their body language. There is no need to show Nasrul Hamid's expression of sorrow to a psychologist for an in-depth analysis. Without a psychologist, it can be said that his expression of sorrow is artificial and insincere. The reason is that he has no connection with the people. The State Minister of Power is a perfect advertisement of what happens when a public representative is disconnected from people. Payra power plant has been shut down due to lack of coal. He himself said that coal imports did not go well due to 'incoordination'. Whose incoordination? Who or what has trapped coal import in a web of long bureaucracy? The state minister has to give answers to these questions. Everything in the power sector is shrouds in mystery. Inconsistency in everything. Every person who has been crushed by the tyranny of load shedding knows about the limitless corruption in the power sector. And there are words in the air. Who stole thousands of crores of money, who bought a shopping mall in Dubai, who bought an entire village near Dhaka? There are also reports in newspapers that there is no load shedding where the electricity advisor’s house is located. Now these things are being discussed openly, and there is a controversy surrounding it. Some very common question comes to mind. Let's stick to the topic of the Payra Power Plant. In 2016, the PDB contracted to purchase electricity from Payra. This electricity plant was built with a loan from the Exim Bank of China. Interest rates are much higher than World Bank, IMF. The first unit of the power plant came into production in January 2020. And the second unit started working in August of that year. Although electricity generation started, the power transmission lines were not established. Therefore, the public did not receive electricity. But according to the agreement, PDB (actually people) had to pay a large amount of capacity charge every day for one and a half years. Payra power plant has become a loss-making company in the beginning. Regarding the enormous subsidy in the power sector, who benefits from it? Is it an innocent mistake or intentional looting?
In the terrifying reality of load shedding, the present government's 14-year success story has turned into a description of failure and deception. The common people are becoming restless. So, no matter how many times the State Minister of Power uses the term 'accidental,' this is not a sudden accident. It is a premeditated implementation of a planned blue-print to destabilize the government. A conspiracy against Sheikh Hasina. Whenever the State Minister for Power and Awami League leaders talk about load shedding and looting of the power sector, they talk about BNP-Jamaat rule. On Tuesday, in the National Parliament, the same broken record was played by the State Minister. The BNP-Jamaat alliance fell into public anger because they could not provide electricity, there were protests in Kansat, people gave their lives. BNP has received the punishment for their failure. Isn’t the Awami League government is being pushed to the same situation now? 'Electricity in every household' was one of the biggest achievements of this government in the past 14 years. Sheikh Hasina illuminated Bangladesh from darkness. The people of this country had forgotten about load shedding. Chargers, IPS, generators, and other equipment gradually became unknown. But the power sector again took Bangladesh in 2002. The pride and achievements of the Awami League government have been reduced to dust by advisers, state ministers and bureaucrats. A few days ago, I was looking at a list of people working in various organizations in the power sector. The family identity of a large part of them is related to BNP-Jamaat. During their education, they were members of Chhatra Dal or Shibir. Some of them are engaging in rampant corruption without any boundaries. With a large sum of money, they have obtained important and influential positions. They are now destroying the electricity sector. Awami League's election manifesto talks about "self-reliance in energy”, but the bosses in the sector has no interest in it. For example, 200 billion cubic feet of gas has been discovered in Elisha in Bhola. This gas alone can meet Bangladesh's gas demand for 10 years. However, due to various excuses, the gas is not being brought into the country's gas grid. The reason for this is corruption. By not importing, the above-mentioned earnings will be shut down. That's why there is no interest in gas exploration from the energy department. Load shedding has become a recent outcry for the common people. But the outcry over the cost of living has been going on for the past four years. The heat in the market over commodity prices is more intense than fire. Recently, the Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce has been appointed on a contractual basis. Undoubtedly, his presence is indispensable. If he is not present in the Ministry of Commerce, it will collapse. If not, how can he be appointed under the contract as a Secretary of the ministry, which has failed and is incompetent in controlling commodity prices? The issue of commodity prices is somewhat like a circus or magic. Sometimes the price of rice increases, sometimes it's chili, sometimes onions or sugar. The Commerce Minister himself has admitted that the market is under the control of a 'syndicate'. In the meantime, for a few days, sugar and soybean oil have disappeared from the market. The Commerce Minister is helpless. The Secretary seems like a resident of another planet. Recently, there has been a scarcity of onions, leading to a skyrocketing price in the market. For a month, there was a flurry of letters about importing onions and engaging in bureaucratic exercises. It's a cunning manipulation to embarrass the government. Planning Minister himself criticized the decision of the Ministry of Commerce. After ECNEC meeting on Tuesday, the Planning Minister said, "We have reached a decision to import onion after 15 days. Now the price of onion has started to fall. If the commerce minister had decided to import onion earlier the price of onions per kilogram would not have been 90 Taka." The current government came into power after winning the election in 2008. It was a global recession at that time. Food prices were rising all over the world. There was a crisis of rice in different countries, causing an outcry. In the midst of such a situation, the Prime Minister took the responsibility and took control of commodity prices astonishingly. At that time Colonel (Retd.) Farooq Khan was the minister in the Ministry of Commerce. When he was unable to handle the situation, Sheikh Hasina quickly changed the minister. Jatiya Party GM Kader is given the responsibility. He handled the situation with extraordinary skill. The one-sided election of 2014 was also accepted by the people of this country, a major reason for this was the bearable situation of commodity prices. There was stability in the economy. After the election in 2014, Awami League heavyweight leader Tofail Ahmed received the responsibility of the Ministry of Commerce. During this time, he maintained control over the prices of commodities with expertise. In 2015, there was volatility in the global edible oil market. Tofail Ahmed kept the market under control by calling the traders and talking to them. That is the job of ministers. Tipu Munshi got the responsibility of this important ministry after the 2018 elections. I don't want to re-write what happened in the market during his tenure. The government or the Ministry of Commerce has no control over the market in Bangladesh. Syndicates control the market. If the ministers cannot sit in the driving seat of the ministry, then the bureaucrats turn into monsters. They do whatever you want. That is what is happening now in the Ministry of Commerce. In the end, the loss is to the government. Awami League's image is being destroyed. Just as looters and conspirators have crushed the pride of Awami League with electricity, incompetent bureaucracy and looter syndicates have ruined the government's pride with commodity prices.
After the ECNEC meeting last Tuesday, Planning Minister MA Mannan admitted - 'Inflation has reached an unbearable level.' He said, 'It is a matter of shame for me.' The economic crisis has now exposed the dilapidated, impoverished face of the country. Everyone expected that this year's budget will focus on reducing inflation, recovering from the economic crisis. But I have considerable doubts as to how much this budget can control the downward trajectory of the economy. Moreover, the release of vague information regarding income tax and foreign trips has provided an opportunity for spreading rumors and creating confusion. It is like not having a Finance Minister at all. One great fortune of Bangladesh is that most of the time we have had good Finance Ministers. Tajuddin Ahmad, Saifur Rahman, Shah AMS Kibria, Abul Mal Abdul Muhith—each of them has played a significant role in advancing the country's economy. Some more, some less. Finance Ministers of Bangladesh are considered the second most important individuals after the Prime Minister in terms of leading the country's economy. There is a stark contrast between the former Finance Ministers and the current one. Abul Maal Abdul Muhith gave the last budget of his life by working 18 hours a day for a month. He spent sleepless nights and held meetings after meetings with stakeholders. And now we have found our Finance Minister on the day of the budget. "Where have you been all this time?" we wonder. In the economic crisis of the country, our Finance Minister is absent from any meetings with the IMF or celebrating 50 years of relationship with the World Bank. Finance Minister is sick. Why should he bear the burden of ministry if he is sick? The Prime Minister also has a 'Lifetime' economic adviser. 14 years ago, he could be seen in seminars and symposiums, discussing with intellectuals. He is also invisible now. In the terrible economic crisis, the economy is now in the hands of the bureaucrats. How much do these bureaucrats see the interests of the country? There is no political thought to deal with economic problems. The Ministry of Finance is not concerned about elections. Attempts to solve the crisis in a bureaucratic manner are only deepening the problem. Can you imagine that Bangladesh was one of the top five countries in the world in terms of continuous growth under this government. That emerging economy is now in shambles. The prevailing economy is now facing a serious crisis. The Ministry of Finance has taken measures against loan defaulters and money launderers. What action has the Ministry of Finance taken against defaulters, money smugglers? It can be heard that people from the opposite side of the government are sitting in many important places in the Ministry of Finance. The bureaucrat, who became a government official in the 2001 elections and played the role of BNP cadre, is now the secretary of an important department of the finance ministry. They constantly make various schemes to embarrass the government. Bangladesh is currently facing a dollar crisis. In the recent ECNEC meeting, the Prime Minister instructed to quickly release foreign loan projects, stating that it would bring in dollars. When the Prime Minister made this statement, the Planning Commission became busy organizing how to freeze the foreign loan projects. I just want to give an example. One of the largest projects in the country's livestock sector is underway with World Bank loans. I was shocked to read the description of an evaluation meeting on the first amendment of this project. The recommendations and guidelines adopted in the project evaluation under the chairmanship of a member (secretary) of the Planning Commission are contrary to the government's agreement with the World Bank. If these recommendations are ultimately accepted by ECNEC, the World Bank will terminate the agreement, citing breach of contract. This is a direct violation of the contract because the money borrowed from the World Bank cannot be used in another account. However, the Secretary (member) has proposed utilizing the funds from the World Bank project to implement another government project. There is no reason to think that the secretary does not know the rules of the World Bank. I believe this is planned so that the World Bank cancels the agreement and stops lending. Through the syndicate of the newly formed Awami League government, this individual has become the Secretary. After becoming Secretary, those who are loyal to the Awami League were started an uproar. But it didn't work. Now he has emerged in his true form. The emergence of such ghosts within the administration has created more and more loopholes. The government has reached the end of its term and has been entrusted with the task of ensuring public satisfaction and gaining people's trust. However, the incompetent and ignorant behavior of some ministers, along with their self-interest, has complicated the situation. Some are behaving like idiots. Recently, Mukta Sultana, a student of Eden College, came to Facebook Live and burnt all her academic certificates. It is a punishable offence. However, a state minister hired her for a job. Has the minister lost his ability to assess the severity of the situation? I also saw the minister's spouse criticizing his husband's childishness. Now there is a daily occurrence of such heinous acts like burning certificates. Will the minister give everyone a job? Why would ministers and state ministers resort to such cheap tactics earn some fame? The opportunists who have been killing the administration are now revealing their true faces. Sheikh Hasina, alone, has tirelessly worked towards the dream of Bangabandhu's Sonar Bangla, a prosperous Bangladesh, over the past 14 years. However, those who do not desire this have now embarked on a mission to destroy this achievement using all their might. In these 14 years, the BNP-Jamaat alliance failed to involve the people in their movements. But due to the actions of certain individuals within the government, people are now losing faith in the government. As soon as the boat reaches the port, some are leaking the boat. Some ministers and bureaucrats have embarked on a mission to sink the boat.
They
need to be identified. They must be removed from their responsibilities. Within
the Awami League, there are many competent idealistic and principled leaders. Those
who will show competence in this difficult time and help the Prime Minister to
overcome the crisis, should be brought forward. The government's political
image must be improved by reducing authoritarianism and dependence on bureaucracy. This will reassure the
people. Time is running out quickly. Without the support of the people, no
political party has any other asset.
Comment
Rashed Chowdhury - a confessed murderer, the freak killer. On August 15, 1975, the father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was killed along with his family by some despicable people. And National and international conspiracies were behind this heinous murder in history of Bangladesh. Rashed Chowdhury is one of those who directly committed this worst incident. After the brutal murder on August 15, 1975, the murderer Mushtaq gave the killers OF Bangabandhu impunity. Moshtaq's illegitimate government promulgated the Indemnity Ordinance. In the face of army discontent and disorder, Mushtaq was deposed on November 3, 1975. In a series of coups and counter coups, Ziaur Rahman seized power on November 7. Zia was one of the masterminds of the August 15 conspiracy. So, he seized power and upheld the Indemnity Ordinance. Those directly involved in the murder were sent abroad in a special plane. Once in power, Zia rewarded the murderers with diplomatic jobs. This is another horrible chapter in history. Ershad came to power after Zia's death. He also milked the self-confessed murderers of the Father of the Nation. Those who were doing diplomatic jobs were promoted. Even after the fall of Ershad, the murderers were out of everyone’s reach. In 1991, Bangladesh had its first time in the country under a non-partisan caretaker government. BNP won that election. In the Parliament of 1991, the Awami League and BNP agreed and returned to the parliamentary democracy system. But BNP did not agree to repeal the Indemnity Ordinance. The path to justice for the killers of 75 remained blocked. Begum Zia gave another round of promotion to the murderers. Meanwhile, murderer Rashed Chowdhury was transferred to Brazil. Awami League won the 1996 election and came to power. Rashed Chowdhury escaped from Brazil and took refuge in the United States, the biggest guardian of democracy in the world. It is their utmost responsibility to protect the world human rights. The country tends to find if any country has violated democracy or human rights. If democracy is not restored, the US punishes like a strict class teacher.
Even the slightest deviation of human rights does not escape the attention of US officials. They punish with various sanctions. Sometimes I think, what would happen to world democracy, what would happen to human rights without US. The worst murderer in the history, who himself portrays his devilishness, entered the country which is such a defender of human rights.
Many thought this is it. Rashed Chowdhury will not be able to escape anymore. United States spends so much and does so much work to promote human rights in the world. The most brutal self-confessed murderer has gone to their country! There is no way for the batter to survive. We were sure that Rashed Chowdhury is no longer safe. I kept waiting, when will I get the news that he has been arrested. Has Rashed been sent to Guantanamo Bay prison or elsewhere? But surprisingly, the self-confessed murderer Rashed Chowdhury got political asylum in the United States. He moves freely here and there in the United States. The then US President was Bill Clinton. During a visit to the US, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina requested to the US officials that the self-confessed murderer should be sent back to Bangladesh. Clinton promised to look into the matter. That's it until then. Awami League came to the charge of running the country and revoked the Indemnity Ordinance. The proceedings of the trial of Bangabandhu's killers began. Instead of a special tribunal, Sheikh Hasina took a bold decision to proceed with the trial of Bangabandhu's murder under conventional law. A long legal battle ensued. A few of the killers were arrested and brought to justice. But some were absconding including Rashid, Dalim, Noor Chowdhury. Among them, the murderer Rashed Chowdhury was sitting in the lap of the US, the contractor of human rights. The trial process of killing Bangabandhu went on for a long time. On the other hand a diplomatic initiative began to bring back the self-confessed murderers, who have escaped abroad, and bring them to trial. Abul Hasan Chowdhury was the State Minister for Foreign Affairs during that period. Along with Sheikh Hasina, he also met the US President. Later, in an interview given to a daily, Abul Hasan Chowdhury said, "I remember President Bill Clinton telling Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the Oval Office, 'I don't want to see them (the accused) stay in this country.’' Sirajul Haque, the lawyer for the state in the Bangabandhu assassination case, was an optimistic person. He told me that if the trial is conducted under the customary law, there will be no question in abroad. It will be easy to bring back the murderers.' But until the Awami League government left power in 2001, Rashed Chaudhuri remained in the US. The BNP-Jamaat alliance came to power in October 1, 2001 elections. Meanwhile, Bangabandhu's murder case was under trial in the High Court. Barrister Maudud Ahmed became the Law Minister. He admitted in his own book (How Was I in Jail, page-141) that his government stalled the trial in the Supreme Court. The BNP chairperson blocked the trial of this heinous murder, while on the other hand reinstated the fugitive murderers. Meanwhile, the United States, the protector of 'human rights', decided to grant political asylum to the self-confessed murderer in 2004 while granting him citizenship in 2006. Awami League came to power for the second time under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina in 2009. The government took the initiative to finish the trials of Bangabandhu's murder. Sirajul Haque passed away on October 28, 2002 with the grief of not seeing the execution of the murderers of Bangabandhu. Anisul Haque took responsibility to finish his father's unfinished work. After the judgment of the Appellate Division, the argument for repatriating the fugitive murderers became stronger. Meanwhile, the government strengthened diplomatic efforts to bring back the murderers including Rashed Chowdhury. Those who were arrested were executed. I had hoped that the US would at least return Rashed Chowdhury quickly as justice was secured through a long legal battle. Bangladesh made a written application to the United States many times to get Rashed Chowdhury back. Alas! The caretaker of human rights, The United States kept silent on this matter. The United States grants citizenship to an immigrant under the Immigration and Nationality Act. Since May 24, there has been a lot of discussion about this law in Bangladesh. Under this law, the United States has announced a new visa policy in Bangladesh. The Act contains detailed provisions on how an immigrant can become a US citizen. The law says it is not enough to stay in US for getting citizenship, a person must fulfill at least 20 conditions at any given time. Important among these is that a person convicted of any criminal offense (regardless of the country), human rights violator, murderer, will be considered ineligible for citizenship. Not only that, even if an immigrant obtains citizenship by concealing any such information, if it is proved in the future that he obtained citizenship with false information or concealment of information, his citizenship will be revoked and he will be deported from the United States. Be clear, there are no ifs and buts in law. A country that upholds human rights so highly must have such kind of law. But, in the case of Rashed Chowdhury, was this law has been applied? No, it didn’t.
In 2018 and 2020, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina wrote two letters to the then US President Donald Trump. Trump asked the Attorney General's office to look into the matter. But after Joe Biden became president, everything stopped. Now, when the Foreign Ministry of Bangladesh contacted the US State Department, they said that the matter was not theirs, but that of the Attorney Office. The law minister himself contacted the US Attorney's office, asked for time. But in the past year and a half, the US Attorney's Office has not responded about it. This is how it goes. When the caretaker of human righs doesn’t deports a self-confessed and Supreme Court convicted murder. Then Canada also does not send back murderer Noor Chowdhury. Canada's argument is that since the death penalty is prohibited in that country, they will not extradite a person sentenced to death. Rashid, Dalim and other fugitive murderers are also being held in different countries, as the US has given asylum to a murderer. Readers, close your eyes and think, a person killed the US president and took refuge in Bangladesh. How long do you think Bangladesh could keep him? Would it be scandalous to give him Bangladesh citizenship? But the United States can do everything. What they do is right. Whatever they say is the law in this world.
Now when there is an excitement among the Bangladeshi politicians over the US visa policy, I remembered the case of the murderer Rashed Chowdhury. I took a moment and remembered the long history. After the announcement by US Secretary of State Blinken, the leaders of the two main opposition parties are screaming out as it is their 'victory'. Awami League leader Obaidul Quader has discovered that Mirza Fakhrul can’t sleep over this. Mirza Fakhrul is no less. He has researched that 'Awami League's tone has softened.' Soon after the announcement of the new visa policy, Awami League, BNP and Jatiya Party leaders visited the US ambassador's residence. The US got what it wanted in less than 24 hours.
The United States wanted a loyal allegiance among all political parties, an absolute authority in the politics of Bangladesh. Dominance over the politics of Bangladesh. The political uproar over a visa policy may seem like 170 million people in Bangladesh are crazy about going to the United States. If you don't get a US visa, there will be a tragedy in Bangladesh. The US ambassador is also encouraging. During an event recently, he said, "Visa policy is not a concern for those who want fair elections."
I want to ask the US ambassador, a rickshaw puller who drives the rickshaw in the sun during the day also wants fair elections. Will the rickshaw-puller get a US visa? Or the young genius of the village who is studying despite much difficulties or the village farm laborer or a widow who destroyed due to the debt of Dr. Yunus, They all are in favor of fair polls. Will they get a US visa? Many people who already applied for visas to the US are rejected. Does the list of names of those who are not granted visas by the United States for various reasons are also published? But it will be done in this case. Humiliating them publicly is one of the objectives of this visa policy. The United States State Department's website provides a count of how many (non-immigrant) visas are issued to each country each year. The list shows that in 2013, 28 thousand and 80 Bangladeshi citizens were given visas by the United States. In 2014, a maximum of 35 thousand 25 people were given visas. Last year, 29 thousand 202 people got US visa from Bangladesh. In the last 10 years, approximately 200,000 Bangladeshis have received US visas while about an equal number of applicants were also rejected. The US visa policy is not a headache for ordinary citizens. This visa policy has created instability for those who are important in various fields of the state,. The big head of the administration admits his children in the United States, has his wife also living there. But he lives a bachelor life in Dhaka. They send all the money there and cover themselves with the cloak of 'honesty'. This visa policy made them upset. Politicians, who made a second home in Canada, built a palace in Begum Para, kept their wife and children there, who plan to fly there "if something happens" in the country. The US visa policy has left them worried. The businessman, who was close to Hawa Bhaban has now become a bigger Awami League than Awami League itself. He has become a so called new soldier of ‘Sheikh Mujib Army’ by flushing out banks and smuggling the money to USA, Canada. US visa policy is suffocating news for him. The United States made this visa policy willingly. Democracy, voting, human rights are not destroyed by the common people. These were destroyed by a handful of greedy thieves, robbers, opportunists. They are in all parties. They poke their noses in every administration during any governments. They are the ones who question elections, weaken democracy. The US visa policy is aimed at them. Therefore, this visa policy can be appreciated. If they don't muddy the waters with democracy and elections, then there is no reason why democracy-loving people in this country should not have free, fair and impartial elections. But the problem is elsewhere. In almost all cases, US policies and laws are clear like water. The US administration takes the shape of the container in which it is placed. For example, according to the law that declared the visa policy, the murderer Rashed Chowdhury is not supposed to get citizenship. But the despicable killer is still living in the United States.
According to the Immigration Act, a former chief justice convicted of corruption is to be deported from the United States. He is fine. A military officer, who was in the news for 'Crossfire' during his time in RAB, who pushed through everything during the 1/11, he lives in the United States under what principles? Seven murders pardoned in this world for unconditional US loyalists. Hamid Karzai's unbridled corruption is not a crime. But Chile's Allende has to die for not surrendering to the US. So the question is whether these laws and policies will apply equally to everyone in Bangladesh? Those who are sitting civilly in Bangladesh with US citizenship. Those who want to create a situation like one-eleven. They want to establish a long-lasting undemocratic government in the country through the process of depoliticization, they are the enemy of democracy, the main obstacle to fair elections. Will they be covered by this policy? Who will determine who is against for a fair election? The US loyalists in this country? The reason for all these questions is past experience. In post-independence Bangladesh, the United States applied laws and policies biased to their interests, as evidenced by their declassified documents. A review of these documents shows that the United States did not send wheat in 1974 to Bangladesh by applying Section 103 (d) (3) of PL 480. That section of PL 480 was applied at the time to allegations that sacks of Jute had been exported to Cuba. The declassified documents contain conversations between Henry Kissinger and the then-Assistant Secretary of State Tom Edes. Both Bangladesh and Indonesia exported goods to Cuba, but Kissinger stopped sending 74 thousand tons of wheat to Bangladesh excluding Indonesia.
US declassified documents show the killers of the 75 had been in contact with the US embassy since 1973. On July 11, 1973, Major Rashid went to the US Embassy and talked about the purchase of arms on behalf of Ziaur Rahman. Newbery, then an official at the US embassy, must have known that a mid-level military officer could not come up with an arms purchase proposal like this. In 1974, the murderer Farooq officially informed the US Embassy of his plan to stage a military coup in Bangladesh. The then US Ambassador Davis Eugene Boster reported this information through his message number 2158 in Washington. The US documents revealed that before the August 15 tragedy, the killer Farooq visited the US embassy several times. However, the declared policy of the US is that they do not support illegal seizure of power and military coups in any country. But on August 15, 1975, there was tacit acquiescence of the US in overthrowing an elected president, killing him along with his own family. Not only in Bangladesh, the US overthrew elected government in many countries and put their preferred puppet government in power. The US has imposed sanctions on RAB over human rights issues. But they did not raised any voice against the biggest human rights violation in the history of Bangladesh. They did not seek abolition of the Indemnity Ordinance but gave citizenship to murderers. A little deeper analysis shows that when the US becomes overly interested in a country, when policies are made about a country, it faces a big disaster. It sees power shifts. Attempts are made to bring the US-backed government to power. However, in countries those stand firmly on their self-respect, the leaders of those countries who can awaken and unite the people in this matter, can take a position against the will of the US. Just like Mahathir's Malaysia or the Turkey. The US made every effort to defeat Erdogan in the Turkish elections. But Recep Tayyip Erdogan's strong leadership and popularity prevented that. Another strong leader Sheikh Hasina is well aware of US intentions. That is why she was speaking harshly against the US. But the complacency of some Awami League leaders after the visa policy upsets me. Bangladesh saw what the American fans of Awami League did in 1975. Fears loom that Bangladesh is moving towards another August tragedy?
Comment
Half-educated people pose a greater threat to the well-being of a country compared to the uneducated or illiterate. An uneducated person is aware of their limitations, leading them to be receptive to the counsel of others. They give due importance to the advice offered by educated people and refrain from imposing their decisions on others. In contrast, semi-educated individuals lack an awareness of their limitations. They perceive themselves as superior, exhibiting disrespect towards wise individuals. Despite their limited knowledge, they exude immense confidence and consider themselves scholars. Unfortunately, these half-educated individuals disregard valuable advice from others, potentially placing themselves, their families, society, and the state in significant crises.
24 August 1954. D. Eisenhower the 34th president of the United States, signed an exceptional law known as the "Communist Party Control Act." Through this Act the Communist Party was banned in the United States. there was a fierce debate about whether it was permissible to ban a political party nationally in a country that valued freedom of expression.
Many thought this is it. Rashed Chowdhury will not be able to escape anymore. United States spends so much and does so much work to promote human rights in the world. The most brutal self-confessed murderer has gone to their country! There is no way for the batter to survive. We were sure that Rashed Chowdhury is no longer safe. I kept waiting, when will I get the news that he has been arrested.