While Sarmila Bose’s research
has generated many responses, is it enough or should we take a more formal approach. While some has said there is overreaction on this, some like the following poster, does not think it is enough. The following is from an email:

For last couple of days I have been going through the
articles written in response to Sarmila Bose’s
controversial paper that came in the Bangladeshi
media. Most of the articles gave me an impression that
the authors did not have chance to read the original
paper. Their reaction was more generic than specific
(except the one written by Masuda Bhatti in Daily
Janakantha). I also read the rebuttals posted on
Drishtipat site. Most of them sounded too modest to me
though they correctly noted that Bose started her
research with some predetermined conclusions. To my
surprise none of the notable intellectuals or
political personalities (except Rashed Khan Menon)
spoke against this paper. Though this is not the first
time the history of our liberation war is attacked but
I believe no one earlier tried to question the
massiveness of the genocide and other violence in the
name of research. Another point that bother me is,
this is an ongoing project and current conclusions are
just preliminary findings (Bose mentioned it at the
beginning of the paper). Haven knows what she has in
her mind for final conclusions.
I was wondering if Drishtipat can organize an online
campaign to protest against it. Is it not possible to
launch a web page like stop violence portal site? It
will contain Sarmila Boses’s original paper and the
articles written in protest. People can be requested
to send their comment to this site. This site can be
advertised through other Bangladeshi sites and
Bangladeshi News papers. At the end of the campaign
these comments can be sent to Sarmila Bose as well as
to the institution she is working with.
This campaign can be organized to show the popular
reaction. Since Bose is doing the research at the
academic level, it will be more effective if some one
(or group of researchers) can challenge her form the
same level. Flaws in her investigation, absurd
arguments, and very unconvincing interpretation need
to be pointed out by people who are well known for
their authority on this topic. Bangladesh government
can take the initiative, but that is not going to
happen. What makes me more concerned about this paper
is the peril that pertains to this type of propaganda.
If we failed to react duly, some utterly distorted
hypothesis about our liberation struggle might get
accepted at the international level.

Thoughts?