The honesty and integrity of the British media has come under serious scrutiny in the recent past. Australian Media Tycoon Rupert Murdoch has been compelled to close down his “News of the World” when charged for its unholy methods of tarnishing the image of leading personalities and smear nations. Rupert Murdoch had to appear before a parliamentary probe committee and regret for the scam. Almost at the same time Another British media “The Economist” has published has carried a highly controversial report questioning India- Bangladesh relation, the emergence of Bangladesh, the genocide by Pakistan occupation army in 1971and the trial process of the identified War Criminals of 1971.

The report without any credible evidence has brought out an allegation that Indian Government sponsored the Awami League with money and advice to win the 2008 elections. Congress is in Indian state power, and there is a historic link between the Congrees and Awami League based on good wish or even blessings as both champion democracy. But how can a leading international media mention that Indian Government provided monetary support to Awami League? Do they have any credible evidence? Neutral observers and world media unanimously acclaimed the free, fair and transparent election of 2008 . Even no major objection was raised by any of the opponents. But how after two and half years later “The Ecomonist” could bring up such a serious allegation? This report has definitely undermined and in fact embarrassed both India and Bangladesh. The countries have every right to question validity and authenticity of the report. This is more pertinent at this moment since two friendly SAARC neighbors after years of mistrust and disbelief have started positive actions to resolved several outstanding issues – water sharing , enclave exchange, joint actions against terrorists, boundary disputes resolution, regional connectivity , trade rationalization . Some issues were fundamentally agreed during Bangladesh PMs Visit to India and most of the others are at advanced stage for meeting of minds of the highest level at the upcoming summit of two PMs in Dhaka in September 2011.

In Bangladesh there is a group of people who in everything smells some Indian fish .This group though do not hesitate to use Indian Garments, go for shopping to India or get medical treatment to India when required. They do not object to use dirty polluting Indian coal but they raise hue and cry when Government takes imitative to explore own sweet coal or explore for petroleum in the offshore. This group sure will be encouraged by such yellow journalism of “The Economist.
Economist report questioned visit of Congress Chief Sonia Gandhi’s visit to Dhaka in a satirical manner. Sonia was in Dhaka on invitation of PM Hasina to attend an international seminar on Autistics Children and to receive the highest civilian award [Posthumous] on behalf of Late Indira Gandhi for her motherly contribution during the liberation war. There cannot be any question if the chief of the two ruling political parties share ideas and opinions on the regional politics and government affairs anytime anywhere.

The report also questioned the crackdown of militant groups and terrorists by Bangladesh Government. The section of the report may be quoted here:

Ever since 2008, when the Awami League, helped by bags of Indian cash and advice, triumphed in general elections in Bangladesh, relations with India have blossomed. To Indian delight, Bangladesh has cracked down on extremists with ties to Pakistan or India’s home-grown terrorist group, the Indian Mujahideen, as well as on vociferous Islamist (and anti-Indian) politicians in the country. India feels that bit safer.

We will be extremely pleased if Economist can provide the credible evidence of the bag of cash that it is alleging to have been provided by Indian Government . If not Economist owe an apology to both India and Bangladesh.

From 2002 – 2006 Bangladesh became safe haven of terrorists. Finance Minister SAMS Kibria, popular MP Ahsanullah Master was killed by grenade attacks. Attacks were carried out against British High Commissioner in Bangladesh, Mayor of Sylhet, and MP Suranjit Sen Gupta. Finally terrorist under state sponsorship killed several Awami Leaguers including wife of Bangladesh President in a carnage and mayhem in front of Awami League Central office at the heart of the capital city. The terrorists became so organized that they could carry out simultaneous grenade explosion in 64 places of the country at the same time. People were killed at court buildings, cinema hall. It was alleged that some country’s intelligence agency unfriendly to both Bangladeshi progressive force and India setting up safe training shelter within Bangladesh trained terrorists and provided deadly weapons to carry out subversive activities within Bangladesh and India. A huge arm haul was confiscated at CUFL Jetty of Chittagong which was allegedly transited through Bangladesh for a separatist group of India. Present government very courageously took appropriate actions against the group. Government has also initiated actions to authentically probe all acts of terrorism of the past. Instead of admiring governments efforts Economist report has unfortunately criticized the admirable Bangladesh action.

The saddest part of the report is that it questioned the Bangladeshi initiative of conducting trials of identified war criminals. There can be any or many difference of opinion about the process of conducting the trials. But it is a long term legitimate demand of the Bangladeshis to try and punish the collaborators of Pakistan Army in carrying out genocide, rape, looting and arsening in 1971. Economist has unfortunately advocated for the alleged criminals under custody. The intent and purpose of the report is well understood.

The report also questioned about various outstanding bilateral issues resolution process. It has questioned regional connectivity. We cannot deny our geographical reality. We are surrounded by India from 2.75 sides. Any regional connectivity will benefit all nations. If India can connect its major regions with neglected Nagaland, Mizoram and Tripura through it how it harms Bangladesh? Why we are apprehensive that India will transport Army or Military gazettes through the corridor? This connectivity is for trade and commerce only. However, we are not fully aware about the details of the regional connectivity. It will not be wise to talk about it at this stage.

In conclusion we like to request the editor of “The Economist “ to clarify the issues raised in the report and address the Bangladesh response .If such kind of reports are regulary published who knows some day it may have to embrace the same fate as Rupert Murdoch’s “ The News of the World”.

Children Park – a type of real social business

(example of MOON PARK & MOON HOUSE)

This was also published in The News Today 09 Dec 2010 and other blogs

http://www.newstoday.com.bd/index.php?option=details&news_id=14376&date=2010-12-09

http://www.bdcomcn.com/English-Articles/children-park-a-type-of-real-social-business-of-moon-park-a-moon-house.html

 http://bangladesh-web.com/view.php?hidRecord=343086  



Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, of Bangladesh while addressing the prize giving ceremony of a painting competition at Dhaka Osmani Smriti Auditorium on October 18, 2010, has directed the authorities concerned to take immediate steps to recover all the children’s parks in the capital. The prime minister, according to UNB Dhaka, vowed to establish a safe and prosperous Bangladesh for every child.

Yes, there is no doubt that concerned authorities would try their best to recover all government children parks, no matter how successful they would be to maintain and keep the campaign according to given directives from the highest executive of the government. But I, like many others, am little wondered as to how much those local influential illegal occupants have gone regarding places like Children parks too. There is no need to emphasize the requirement of children parks for the over all development of a total Children. Considering their importance’s, government did their parts and hopefully would continue doing the best in this regard always. But we being the brothers and sisters, parents and relatives, teachers and lovers of every child also got to think and do exactly in the same way as our Prime Minister thought and gave directives.

Because the government can not establish more and more children parks all of a sudden, and because we all also have the morale and social responsibilities too for all the children, so, we got to also do some thing, either individually or being in a group. We may think of taking following measures to ensure so that more and more children get the facilities of Children parks:

1. Authorities of schools and other educational institutions may consider establishing children parks at their own premises, no matter how small or big those could be. They should also ensure the proper maintenances of all existing children parks.

2. Those who, specially at rural area, can effort to make few items of children park at their own premises may also make such facilities available for their own and local children. There are few such items directly related to physical exercises which don’t need lot of space, cost or electricity. Besides, such can be made with collective efforts too. Some one may also think of making the same at their roof top at city location too. The idea is so that every child gets the minimum facilities of Children Park.

3. Many rich people of our society already have hundreds and thousands of “Farm Houses” (bagan bari in bengali pronunciation) of their own. Those are indeed their spare houses out side the city areas mostly for their personal leisure and pleasure. Of course I am not trying to say any thing against their farm houses, however, would like to humbly suggest so that they could also think of making those, whole or part of those, in to some thing like children park for the local children and thus allow local children to play there either free of cost or with little ticket money. We always talk about social responsibilities and social businesses. Arranging such facilities for the children could be one of the best social responsibilities. Again the concepts of social businesses often emphasized by our Noble Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus are known to the whole world and also widely discussed. So, from that point of view too, some token ticket money may also be charged from incoming children, however, the ticket fee got to be within affordable limit of those rural parents too.

Frankly speaking, I won’t suggest any of above if I won’t believe on those totally. I use to always think in the past about these children park facilities for our rural poor children. That is the reason I tried to establish two such children park at my own according to my personal interest, planning, limited economic capabilities and efforts. Spending my pension money, I have established one Children park named Moon Park at village PIRUJALI in General Area Hotapara, Gazipur. The area is near writer Humayun Ahmed’s Nuhash Polli and really green and comfortable in all seasons.

Well, for this case, I tried to establish and experiences by myself first and then now trying to suggest some thing for others too. It is said in the religion also that you try to do the same first before you suggest the same to others. When ever, I heard or read about the social businesses expressed by noble laureate Dr. Yunus, tried to think and identify as to how many types of social businesses could there be, specially for a country like Bangladesh? I also tried to think always as to what maximum social benefits can be offered with what minimum charges from different types of social businesses. Well, there can be many different types, but, for me, I have desired to do some thing related to children’s health, enjoyment, excitement, mental growth, physical exercise etc, and so thought of establishing one children park for them as part of so-well-discussed social business.

Now at this stage, being little encouraged by the noble directives of honorable prime minister of Bangladesh, I have only one aim of mentioning this as an example and that is, so that others who are interested may also establish such children parks at different parts of our country. Besides, those who are already having their Farm Houses (bagan bari) may also become interested as well as feel responsible to tern their those farm houses, part or whole, into children park for the local rural children and allow them to play either free of charge or with little token ticket money.

“Moon Park” is a small eco friendly green garden which is also used for picnic or outing spot for those city people who may afford to rent it and be interested to enjoy the green nature as part of their rest and refreshment. However, the focus is always given to the local children’s playing and that is why the word “park” is associated with it’s name. Any one may be wondered to know that a local child may visit and play at Moon Park with only taka ten ($ US 10 cents only) per person. The Moon Park was inaugurated on 14 April 2010 (pohela boishak) through arrangement of boishakhi mela (local fair organized on the bengali new year) where all the incoming children along with their parents, friends and relatives were allowed to go inside and play with free of charge. Surprisingly the total presence on that very single day crossed the figure 2500 (almost 100% children of that general area) which really proved in my mind that, yes, our children really need such facilities. I also felt very comfortable inside for being able to make one such park for our rural children. The smiling faces of our rural deprived children are still in my memories, pictures of which can also be shared by readers from below web link:

http://picasaweb.google.com/113734232071731875096/MoonPark#

“Moon House” is also another such place, same eco friendly garden with children park facilities where children can not only play but also see life birds and fishes. No matter how many facilities children are enjoying inside but only taka 30 ($ US 40 cents only) is charged per person. It is designed to be a real safe house for the playing of children and that is why the word “house” is associated with it’s name.

It may be mention that the eco friendly green gardens of both Moon Park and Moon House are also attracting foreigners and as such contributing to the tourism in Bangladesh too. Hope the scope of tourism in this sector would also increase in future.

I hope both Moon Park and Moon House would be able to contribute for children’s playing in the long run as part of social businesses in real sense. I also hope that many other persons having similar feelings like me would also try to do some thing better for our children which are so necessary for their total development. Children would carry us forward, they are our future hopes and so we must do our best to do best for them.

For those who may be interested to know about Moon House and Moon Park for their picnic or outing purposes may also brows below web link:

http://www.moonhousemoonpark.com/

 email: moonhouse.moonpark@gmail.com,

Musa and Bangladesh

Guest: Musa Ibrahim, First ever Mount Everest Winner from Bangladesh – Part ONE

For Musa Ibrahim the fact that no one from Bangladesh had ever been able to conquer Mount Everest was just another reason to go for this daunting experience. Even with his heart set on bringing glory to his motherland, the quest involved tedious training and heartbreaking struggle to raise funds for the expedition. He received financial assistance from a few organizations but the major share came from his sister. Musa’s desperation to achieve his target by 2010 took him on a trail fraught with risks and danger. Here’s the first episode of Musa Ibrahim’s exclusive chat with Maskwaith Ahsan, Editor of e–Bangladesh.org, in which he has narrated his adventurous flight.

Part-1:

String of disasters in china caused by floods and mudslides killed thousands and displaced many. The recent mudslides have leveled an area and raised death toll. China’s proud of becoming the nearest economic power to US is dismayed by these disasters one after the another. Cyclones devastated Bangladesh for many centuries and the latest ones are Sidr and Aila. Floods destroy crops and livestock on a yearly basis in this nation. Many around the world perceive that this nation remains under water.

Aid effort is slow in the context of Pakistan. Non government agencies working round the clock with their limited capacities. While governments of developing countries are seemingly accused for their inefficacy to handle tragedies, existentialism boost humanity to revive as it happened in the post Tsunami’s communities in the Asia-Pacific. Political leaders often appeared alike celebrities delivering relief to the distressed people and having snap shots in the media. Mainstream media apparently broadcast tragedy with enormous enthusiasm. However, people survive, grow and revive in the face of difficulties. This is the spirit of humanity that overcomes trauma of losing livestock as well as relatives and repeatedly ‘pushing the boulder up the mountain’.

Nature’s fury is observed from Pakistan to China leaving thousands to mourn for their loved ones. Scientists are searching for causes of such a monster flood and they mostly blame ‘climate change’ in line with IPCC’s hypothesis. IPCC has tons of scientific materials along with lots of graphs and tables to explain changing climate and the future of the planet. Other group has claimed some sort of cyclical process of earth changes through couple of thousands of years. Whatever the hypothesis is, human miseries out of these apocalyptic disasters are quite visible in the recent days.

Policy thinkers tirelessly developed mitigation and adaptation strategies besides organizing conferences. Cop 15’s climate change accord is one of the outcomes of international community’s effort to hold governments accountable. National plan of actions are out there in the hand governments containing nice words as well as lots of commitments and strategies to protect citizens from adversities of such disasters. Multilateral and bilateral donor agencies are quite busy to negotiate with governments of developing countries on how to accumulate  and spend fund as well. Rights based organizations are busy how to hold these governments accountable and transparent to be little kind with their citizens.

Natural disaster is no more a national concern. The scale of catastrophe disturbs global conscience. Volcanic eruptions, frequent earth trembles, heavy monsoon, floods and super cyclones have hit nations indiscriminately for last couple of years. Some may worry that none of the strategies, policy measures and fundings could be much worthy if nature demonstrates such a havoc. People, governments and markets are racing against time to air the bubbles of economy. Making money is the indicator of progress and prosperity in the chase pool of modernity. Thus, reduction of carbon emission appears to be an issue that governments do not like to think or talk much. Adaptation is a humanitarian talk in the down town. Climate change undergoes academic rigour and investigation. Time is ticking, wider scale apocalyptic disasters are causing more and more casualties, which gradually threats the very existence of human species.

Pakistan Burning in Water

Whenever the issue of trial of war-crimes is raised, the killers and collaborators now turned politicians are seen to treat Bangabandhu with great respect. The Al-Badar leaders say, ‘it was he who resolved the issue by declaring general mercy, so it is meaningless to discuss this issue and give much importance now. Their political allies and intellectuals sing the same song, in addition to this more horrible and fabricated stories are added. Their absurdities know no bounds. Across generations they have spread rumors like: Bangabandhu enjoying a meal (Khichuri) with top-collaborator Shah Azizur Rahman at Comilla Cantonment, he went to the Jail with his own car and received Khan A Sabur at the Jail-gate. These are the stories which have been used to wash the brains of our generation. Common people treat these with their utmost ignorance and we are habituated to listen to them.

For my personal interest, I have studied the issue of the controversial General Mercy. To start with the only document I could find was a old paper-cutting of New York Times, where in a few sentences it was said that some 30 thousand collaborators had been freed including the imprisoned Governor Malik along with some of his helpers.

Such a big incidence, what an important decision! Would not there be an official document at least? After searching for it long, I could not recover anything from the known persons working on trial of war-crimes issue or from collectors, who have been documenting our freedom-fight. The general mercy was a Presidential order; so it should be included in the government Gazette. It must be in the Annual Lawyers’ guide. I could not find it in any of the records. The authorities do not archive many documents of 1973/74 anymore. Files and documents are vanished. A Lawyer of the Supreme Court accuses ex president Ziaur Rahman directly as he himself had built the Shishu Park (children’s park) to hide the memorial of surrender of Pakistan Forces. Similarly he himself had given the order of burning all the records of war-criminals into ashes. There is nothing in the Bar council Library now.

My only support was a few lines. Bangabandhu declared general mercy, this is right; but he did not forgive the killers, rapists and plunderers. the question now is where is my proof? Those who raise this question do not provide anything; even those accused as war-criminals exonerated by this general mercy do not provide any document too; then? On November 30 in 1973 Bangabandhu made this declaration. A press-note was supposed to be published in the newspapers on the following day. I started searching for those papers. And Jisan emerged as my rescuer.

I started working with some dedicated youths after I had joined Daily Adhinayak (yet to be published). These youths have the ability to play any serious role in the field of literature and cultural activism – Jisan is one of them. I gave the responsibility to two persons to collect the news in archived newspapers published after this declaration had been made. When Ajit Das entered the National Archive, he was deterred with a new requirement, an approval from Home Ministry to get to the documents. At Bangla Academy, Jisan faced the same sort of hindrance. Prior to this, he had failed to enter PIB archives too.

What follows here supersedes any Spy thriller-story. With an expired Library Card, Jisan entered the Underground Archive of Dhaka University. He found the expected newspapers with the help of some known staffs enduring the mosquito bites. However, some student leaders got interested in Jisan’s adventurous works. They even took his interview (read cross-examination). These student-leaders have only memorized their respected leaders’ names and lack knowledge about their leader’s history and deeds. So they became feeble before the smartness of Jisan. With trembling hands, he shot photos of the newspaper articles with his Samsung Mobile. He could take the required snaps just before the charge of the battery depleted. When he had handed me over the photos from his mobile via blue-tooth, he said: “Pial vai, give me another four days. I will transcribe each line and come back”.

I suppressed my utmost wish of hugging him in pleasure. With a subdued excitement I came back home. With the photos and clippings I started my works and could not bear waiting for another two days. I zoomed the photos in and out to understand what was written; and then transcribed that myself. The decision of uploading the clippings in You-tube was taken much earlier. I selected the photos finally, made AVI files using converter and then gave it a complete shape by making it a bit slow using the movie-maker and adjusting its brightness.

Achieving this would have been impossible if Jisan was not with me. In this age of free flow of Information, I will forever remember his active role in finding the historical data for a Bangla Blog with my gratitude. Let us see now what it was in the Declaration of General Mercy; what it was written in its coverage; who they released.

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Report on General Mercy Declaration: The Doinik Bangla, December 01, 1973

Heading: General Mercy Declaration on Punished Prisoners under Collaborator Act

Sub-heading: Bangabandhu’s urge to the persons received mercy for the engagement of Country’s Betterment: No Mercy for the Killers and Rapists.
—————————————————————————————-
Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh has declared a general mercy for the convicted and punished prisoners under the Collaborator Act. Persons who have been imprisoned under the Collaborator Ordinance (Special Tribunal) 1972, against whom there is a warrant or those who are wanted and those who have been punished will be imposed this general mercy and soon they will be freed. Yet those who have killed people, raped and set fire or caused to damage people’s homestead with explosives or convicted for damaging water-transport whatsoever will not be considered under this act. A Governmental press-note issued on Friday night last says this General Mercy.

Prime Minister Shaikh Mujibur Rahman says, Government has declared this general mercy for the people arrested and convicted under Collaborator Act so that people from all corners can enjoy the Victory Day 16th December together indiscriminately and take oath to build our country. Bangabandhu has ordered the Home Ministry to take necessary steps so that these persons can get released from Jail soon and join the victory festival coming on 16th December. The persons freed are urged to be united with spirit of victory and are requested to take the responsibility of working as a safe-guard for our independence.

While speaking in the declaration ceremony, Bangabandhu says, all will forget their bitter past and leave their previous activity and start working in unison and establish an unequal instance of patriotism, he believes and hopes.

Bangabandhu says, through much blood, sorrows and sufferings, tears and tortures we have achieved our independence. At any cost we have to preserve this independence.’ He hopes that this Independence Day will open a new horizon of peace, happiness, prosperity and welfare.

Prime Minister says, some people, in association with invaded force, opposed against our freedom fight. They were arrested under the Collaborator Act. Among them many are familiar persons. As they were associated with Pakistani Force and helped them technically, people of Bangladesh suffered an indescribable miseries.

Bangabandhu says, these people have been arrested and imprisoned for long. He thinks that they are repented deeply. They are certainly remorseful for their pas activities. He hopes, after they have been freed, they will forget their past misdeeds, work with a new oath for building our nation and establish a new instance of patriotism. Yesterday the press-note issued from the Home Ministry is as follows:
—————————————————————————————-

Press-note: Prior to this, Government has considered the matter of Mercy of those who have been arrested under Collaborator Ordinance 1972(Special Tribunal) PO No-8, 1972, or have been convicted and paid their sufferings; government is making the new declaration in this regard:

1. Except the fields of crimes and persons described in the article no: 2

a) The persons arrested and convicted under the Criminal Act Section 401 of 1898 are being given released and, if there is no complain under any rule or act, except this order, under the general mercy, they will be freed from jail soon.

b) According to this order all cases under trial in any special tribunal or in special magistrate will be withdrawn. If there are no other cases against them pending, they will be freed from jail under this general mercy.

c) According to this Act, all cases filed against any person and the inquiry will be withdrawn and if he is not convicted otherwise under any acts whatsoever will be freed from jail. According to this act all warrants, summons or any notice served against him to crock his assets will be withdrawn. In that case the persons have to be free from other cases. If any proceedings are completed in absence of the persons and if he remains still absent, he will be freed from jail only when he surrenders and beg mercy and declares his loyalty, only then this general mercy will be eligible for him.

2. Persons convicted under the section 302(Killing), section 304, 376(rape), 435(cause damage by using bullet or explosives), Section 436(Burn Homesteads), and Section 448(set fire in water transport or explosion), According to the Criminal Act will not be considered under this act.

Banglar Bani or Ittefaq are equally same at their reports which will be seen in the video footage. There is other surprising news in the Donik Bangla on the same issue: regarding of being set free of Shah Azizur Rahman who later would be the Prime Minister of Bangladesh in the hand of Zia and of Sarsina’s Peer Shaheb who would be given the Independence Medal during Ershad regime. It said: According to an especial order made by the Bangladesh government, PDP Leader Shah Azizur Rahman and Sarsina’s Peer Shaheb have been released. Due to the cause of collaborating with Pakistani invaded forces they were arrested. .

It has been cleared that high profile collaborator like Governor Malik and Shah Aziz were not handed outside the Dhaka Central Jail. After they had been arrested, they had been there before they were freed. So there is no way to believe this story that Bangabandhu called him from jail and together he ate khichuri with him. This is altogether false.

On December3, in the Daily Ittefaq came the follow-up of the news of the decision of General Mercy where all people welcomed the decision. There was an important news. Home Minister Advocate Abdul Malek Ukil clarified the about the persons had been arrested under Collaborator Act. Under the Heading: Total Number of People arrested under Collaborator Act were 37 thousand 4hundred and 71 seventy-one, it had been written that on the perspective of declaring the mercy,

Yesterday while conversing with journalists, Home Minister Mr. Malek Ukil says this. He says, after the list of the persons arrested under Collaborator act verified with the order of general mercy, he has given approval to free all persons arrested under its jurisdiction. He says, according to the Collaborator Act number of total convicted persons is 37 thousand 4 hundred and 71 among which. Among these people, cases against 2,848 persons have been settled of 752 persons have been convicted and 2096 have been released. He says, in a newspaper the number of arrestees under collaborator act is 86 thousand which is not true; rather it is exaggerated. Home Minister says, many student leaders arrested and convicted under this act will get released. He says, life-imprisonment awarded former Governor East Pakistan M A Malek will get released along with his cabinet members. The persons among others will get released are Dr. Kazi Din Mohammad, Dr. Hasan Jaman, Dr. Sazzad Hossain, Dr. Mohor Ali(All are Collaborators and University Teachers) and Khan A Sabur. Home Minister says, persons freed will get back their properties and enjoy all facilities given to a citizen. The story that Bangabandhu himself went to receive Khan A Sabur has been solved through this news.

Finally, I am quoting the speech given by Bangabandhu broadcast and telecast on Radio and Television on 15December: after the revolution we did not kill those who were arrested and convicted as the enemies of liberation; rather we have forgiven them. We do not believe in the policy of jealousy and revenge. Consequently, those who were arrested and convicted under the Collaborator act have been shown a general mercy. They have been given all sorts of civic facilities as they would have enjoyed before. I believe, if persons misguided by others and followed the path of jealousy are repented will also be given same opportunity to build this nation.

Many things have come in consequence of the perspective of general mercy declaration. Those issues have been discussed and published. But the main thing I have not gotten as reference in any winterers’ writing. If this writing meets up that deficiency, my endeavor will be fruitful. Mine personal notion is, after the General Mercy Declaration had been made, Collaborator Ordinance was a bit mended, which is called amendment. But even after this, why it is not present in the gazette will always be an illusion.

Source: Doinik Bangla, Doinik Ittefaq, Doinik Banglar Bani and Bangladesh Observer. News Clippings have been used in the footage.

Courtesy: Ikram Neoaz Faraji Jisan

Further Reading: 1. A blog post written in Bengali.

NOTE: The whole write-up is a translation of a blog post written in www.amarblog.com.

Translation: Mr Safaet Hossain and his team translated the content from the Bengali blog post into English (edited by Rezwan).

-
Omi Rahman Pial [http://omipial.amarblog.com] is a well-known figure in Bengali Blogsphere.He is also an historian of Bangladesh Liberation War and an activist demanding the trial of war criminals.

Sad but true, this cabinet meeting was headed by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Her press secretary Abul Kalam Azad told reporters, “According to the cabinet decision, no structures or institution will bear the name of the illegal autocratic ruler Ziaur Rahman following the High Court verdict regarding cancellation of the Fifth Amendment.”

Cabinet stated the justification for this renaming process by simply pulling the strings of religious sentiments. They said since the people of the country respect Sufies and religious figures and wish to keep their memories alive, and many important establishments had been named after them, the renaming is in conformity with the tradition of the naming process of the important establishments as well as in keeping with the sentiments of the public mind.

So, Awami league once again pulled the string of religious sentiment that runs against fundamental principles of the party.  According to the constitution of Awami League “The fundamental principles of the Bangladesh Awami Leagues  shall be Bengali Nationalism, Democracy, Secularism”

Fifth Amendment:

On 6^th April 1979 Fifth Amendment was passed in the national assembly. This Act amended the Fourth Schedule of the constitution by adding a new paragraph 18 thereto, which provided that all amendments, additions, modifications, substitutions and omissions made in the constitution during the period between 15 August 1975 and 9 April 1979 (both days inclusive) by any Proclamation or Proclamation Order of the Martial Law Authorities had been validly made and would not be called in question in or before any court or tribunal or authority on any ground whatsoever.

The changes in between 15^th August 1975 to 9^th April 1979 changed the secular characteristics of Bangladesh constitution. Among the changes, in the preamble of our constitution, the addition of Bismillahir Rahmanur Rahim was one. A historic war for national independence was replaced by the words” a historic war for national independence.”

In the same proclamation order, idea of secularism was axed from the constitution and according to the article 8 of our constitution:

[(1) The principles of absolute trust and faith in the Almighty Allah, nationalism, democracy and socialism meaning economic and social justice, together with the principles derived from them as set out in this Part, shall constitute the fundamental principles of state policy.

(1A). Absolute trust and faith in the Almighty Allah shall be the basis of all actions.]

had become our national norm.

Before passing this order, all the citizens of Bangladesh were known as Bengali but now according to article 6 of our constitution (2) [The citizens of Bangladesh shall be known as Bangladeshis.]

Article 12 of the constitution was omitted altogether and that omitted article was to implement the principle of the secularism,

a)      Every form of communalism

b)      Granting any religion political status by the State

c)      Abuse of religion with political ill-intent

d)     Any oppression over a person of a particular religion will be uprooted

Article 38 of Fundamental rights of people was modified and   “… but on the condition that no person will have the right to participate in any activities of or  to become member of  any communal institution or association or any institution or association that has set up the process of forming political parties based on religious identity or of such association or institution that holds any symbolic or literal resemblance to any religion in its name or title.”

was deleted from the constitution by the second proclamation order III of 1976.

What about the reaction of Government on Fifth Amendment?

The implication of returning to the constitution of 1972 will retain in the constitution the abolished Article 12 and the original form of the amended Article 38. The implication will also extend to the undertaking of effective measures as to the political abuse of religion and to the reconsideration of the existing scenario where the state supports a particular religion and promotes the said religion in its foundations.

But Prime minister Sheikh Hasina said:

“The words “Bismillah-Ar-Rahman-Ar-Rahim” in the preamble to the constitution and declaration of Islam as state religion will remain as they are, since they reflect the beliefs of the people”  Government is trying to establish the spirit of the constitution of 1972 and as well as keeping intact the amendment that are directly opposing the secular spirit of that same constitution.

So, this is the truth. We, the people of Bangladesh, respect the religious leader; therefore, why not, as a token of this respect, change the name of our country? Say for example, instead of calling it Bangladesh, why don’t we call it as Dewanbagidesh, or any thing like this?

Awami League never moved away from its roots:

On 23 June 1949, Bengali nationalists from East Bengal broke away from the Muslim League, Pakistan’s dominant political party, and established the All Pakistan Awami Muslim League.

Awami League, as a political party, claims it upholds secularism, and most of the Awami inclined intellectuals simply wants Awami league to follow this secular path. All the intellectuals of Bangladesh wish and want Awami league to become a party that leads the fraction of Bangladesh population which supports secularist view; but, in essence, this particular party never moved further away from its roots and always in practice has nurtured the Muslim sentiments as its party policy.

In fact, Awami League has never really overcome their religious roots. In practice, it uses the religious sentiments of people to stay in power. And, this is precisely the point where it looses its idiosyncrasy from Jamaat e Islami and other non-secular parties.

Actually the spirit of 1972’s constitution was to establish a secular state which would have no state-religion, which aimed for the state not to patronize any religion and should not use religious sentiment of people politically. But Awami League is failing to follow that course of secularism and using the religious sentiment of people to justify its misdeeds. Instead of being called Awami League, we should at least recognize their effort of Islamizing this country by renaming it as “Allama Awami League” and also to respect the believes of  our countrymen start a political movement of having a Islamic name of our country.

Photo : The National Parliament of Bangladesh, by Amdadul Huq,DrikNEWS.

[An E-Bangladesh report.]

E-Bangladesh has received a statement from journalist Jahangir Alam Akash, now imprisoned in Rajshahi central jail. The statement along with a note by another political prisoner were smuggled out of the prison and passed to E-Bangladesh. Translated by Rezwan from Bengali.

Statement by Jahangir Alam Akash.
General Secretary, Rajshahi Journalist Union.
Staff reporter, Dainik Sangbad.
Bureau chief, CSB News.
Freelance Journalist, Deutsche Welle, German Radio.

Why the lawsuits

]]> http://www.ebangladesh.com/2007/10/31/tortured-jahangir-alam-akash/feed/ 8 http://www.ebangladesh.com/2007/10/31/email-details-assault-on-delwar/ http://www.ebangladesh.com/2007/10/31/email-details-assault-on-delwar/#comments Wed, 31 Oct 2007 01:07:57 +0000 E-Bangladesh http://www.e-bangladesh.org/2007/10/31/email-details-assault-on-delwar/ [Update: Coup in BNP.]

– BNP secretary general Khandaker Delwar Hossain, from a hospital bed, has described to newsmen how he and his family are now under threat, The Daily Star reported.

– Akhter Hamid Paban, son of Khandaker Delwar Hossain, arrested Tuesday night, bdnews24.com reported.

[An E-Bangladesh report.]

In an email to E-Bangladesh a close relative of BNP secretary general Khandaker Delwar Hossain has detailed how a DGFI team led by Brigadier General ATM Amin assaulted Delwar Sunday evening. According to news reports, Delwar himself told newsmen: “They came into my house on Sunday night and told me that I would have to agree to resign from my post, accept the new chairperson and secretary general of their choice, and would have to join Monday’s standing committee meeting, or else the lives of my family members and my own would be in danger.”

I had a chance to talk to him [Delwar]. He is seriously in danger both in health and in fear. Brigadier General ATM Amin [of DGFI] and some other high official threatened, abused him verbally and assaulted him physically.

Brigadier General Amin started slapping him and he fell down. Amin repeatedly told him to go to Saifur’s [Rahman] house and resign there from his post and accept Saifur as acting chairman and Mannan [Bhuiyan] as acting secretary general. If he was not on time then his sons will be arrested as Yaba dealers and will be killed in “crossfire.” Brigadier General Amin and others also threatened to kill him [Delwar] through medications/injections. Brigadier General Amin also threatened to put his two daughters in jail with false cases.

Delwar is ill and he had several heart surgeries. Last year, there was a lungs surgery due to cancer. So, under torture and intimidation, he felt sick. He has requested me to inform all patriots, nationalist forces that his life and his family’s life is really in danger.

He also requested to pass this message to Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and other international human rights groups seeking intervention that can save his life and as well as protect our beloved motherland.

I have already called many news papers in Bangladesh but most of them said the felt sorry but have limitations. Therefore, I am here and asking for help.

]]> http://www.ebangladesh.com/2007/10/31/email-details-assault-on-delwar/feed/ 25 http://www.ebangladesh.com/2007/10/29/dgfi-engineers-bnp-coup/ http://www.ebangladesh.com/2007/10/29/dgfi-engineers-bnp-coup/#comments Mon, 29 Oct 2007 20:42:10 +0000 E-Bangladesh http://www.e-bangladesh.org/2007/10/29/dgfi-engineers-bnp-coup/ M Saifur Rahman “acting chairperson.”

Hafiz Uddin Ahmed “acting secretary general.”

6 standing committee members held hostage at gun point.

Khandaker Delwar Hossain, ASM Hannan Shah missing.

DGFI — ATM Amin and Chowdhury Fazlul Bari — behind the coup.

“An absolute violation of the BNP constitution.”

[An E-Bangladesh report.]

Bangladesh’s military intelligence agency has engineered a leadership takeover in BNP — one of the largest political parties in the country — after holding 6 out of the 14 standing committee members hostage at gun point for several hours. In a dramatic turn of events, former finance minister M Saifur Rahman has declared himself acting chairperson and Hafiz Uddin Ahmed acting secretary general of the party.

Meanwhile, seating BNP secretary general Khandaker Delwar Hossain has disappeared from a hospital in Dhaka. Unconfirmed reports say that Delwar and BNP chairperson’s adviser ASM Hannan Shah were abducted by intelligence operators. Both were last seen with major ranking intelligence officers who surrounded them.

In an email to E-Bangladesh, a highly placed source close to pro-Khaleda Zia faction of BNP detailed how a DGFI [Directorate General of Forces Intelligence] team led by two of its most influential deputy director generals — Brigadier Generals ATM Amin and Chowdhury Fazlul Bari — held top BNP leaders hostage to engineer a coup:

Tonight two DGFI officers Brigadier General Chowdhury Fazlul Bari and Brigadier General ATM Amin rounded up 6 out of 14 standing committee members of BNP in the house of Mr. Saifur Rahman. The two Brigadier Generals are reportedly forcing Mr. Saifur Rahman to take over the post of acting chairperson and make Mr. MK Anwar secretary general and strip Mr. Khandaker Delwar from his present post. They are also proposing to bring back Mr. Mannan Bhuiyan back in the party and keep him in the standing committee.

So far, Mr. Saifur Rahman has refused to accept this proposal. So have Dr. RA Gani, Mr. Shamsul Islam and Tanvir Ahmed Siddique. Mr. Saifur has also questioned the very presence of Mannan Bhuiyan, the expelled secretary general. The DGFI men are holding them at gun point and want it to be done by tonight.

Earlier, last night, DGFI team went to Delwar’s place and threatened to arrest his sons and daughters and imprison him for life if he did not resign from his post.

This has happened after General Moeen’s return from abroad. He reportedly was angry at Bari and Amin for delaying this plan so far. The civilian part of the caretaker government is helplessly watching this event as a spectator only.

Another BNP leader has pointed out to an E-Bangladesh correspondent that the coup “is an absolute violation of the party [BNP] constitution.” “On many counts. Standing committee meeting can not be convened without chairperson’s order, so the meeting that took place was illegal. There is no provision of ‘acting chairperson’ or ‘acting secretary general’ plus nobody in the party has the authority to nullify any decision by the chairperson.”

Earlier, vernacular daily Amader Shomoy, regarded by many as a DGFI mouthpiece, scooped about a “dramatic change” in BNP. News agency bdnews24.com reported about the meeting at M Saifur Rahman’s Gulshan residence that started Monday evening: “to reach conciliation between the two factions of the troubled party.”

As Saifur emerged from the meeting he told newsmen at a hastily arranged midnight press briefing, “I have been made the acting chief of the party in the absence of the BNP chairperson because I am the most senior leader of the party

]]> http://www.ebangladesh.com/2007/10/29/dgfi-engineers-bnp-coup/feed/ 22 http://www.ebangladesh.com/2007/10/23/financial-statement-confirms-trust-bank-loan/ http://www.ebangladesh.com/2007/10/23/financial-statement-confirms-trust-bank-loan/#comments Tue, 23 Oct 2007 14:34:27 +0000 E-Bangladesh http://www.e-bangladesh.org/2007/10/23/financial-statement-confirms-trust-bank-loan/ [An E-Bangladesh report.]

E-Bangladesh has confirmed that General Moeen U Ahmed’s Taka 99,69,215 loan amount at the end of 2005 that is stated in the Trust Bank prospectus is consistent with the loan amount stated in the bank’s 2005 financial statement. The audited financial statement for 2005 available on the Trust Bank website indicates that loans to directors of Trust Bank at the end of 2005 was Taka 10,974,435. This is the same loan amount indicated on page 20 of the Trust Bank prospectus.

[Click image to enlarge: Section 8.2.1 of the "Auditor's Notes to the Financial Statements" showing the 2005 loan amount in the left column.]

On the Trust Bank prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the total loan amount to directors at the end of 2005 is given as Taka 10,974,435 of which Taka 9,969,215 was loaned to General Moeen U Ahmed and Taka 1,005,220 was loaned to Brigadier General Shawkat Hossain.

[Click image to enlarge: Page 20 of the Trust Bank prospectus showing 2005 loan amounts to directors.]

Trust Bank’s financial statements from 2003 and 2004 available on the Trust Bank website also show that there were no loans outstanding to any directors at the end of years 2003 and 2004, before General Moeen U Ahmed joined the board of directors.

[Click image to enlarge: Section 1.3 of the Financial Statements for 2003 and 2004 showing no loans to directors for both years.]

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