Daily Star letters are always interesting reads…One such exchange


Hasina’s stand
Shadabul Mujib Los Angeles, US

Opposition leader Hasina has characteristically publicised to international community that Bangladesh is a heaven for Islamic terrorists. In her recent press commentary, she suggested that an international investigation into the recent serial bomb blasts be conducted. I must ask why she is carrying on the smear campaign against our homeland that brings unwanted attention and scrutiny from international community. Her comments only cause embarrassment to Bangladeshis living at home and abroad.

In her press release, she also demanded that the prime minister relinquish her office immediately, as the public has lost confidence in the government. What she has failed to realise is that the citizens have also lost confidence in the opposition. We have a prime minister whose government consists of left wing ultra neo liberals, who are responsible for corruption, and on the other hand, we have a major opposition leader who is utterly conservative and absolutely incapable of controlling her mouth. She will go to any lengths to tarnish the image of Bangladesh. Rather than calling for national solidarity, and show of strong resolve, she is out in public and among journalists to tarnish our image, culture and secular democratic values that we cherish since 1971.

What she had suggested is wrong. Bangladesh is a progressive & self correcting democratic country in the South Asian region. It is an icon of freedom, and a symbol of progressive movement. Hindus, Christians, and Muslims are free to express their opinions, and choose their own religions, and way of lives. Women are the fastest growing working class that has an active role in today’s economic, social, and political arena. As a result, in the last decade and a half, Bangladesh had two female prime ministers.

The reply:

Hasina’s stand
Sanjoy Kumar Nath, Chittagong

Mr Shahabul Mujib writes (Wed Aug 31) that the leader of the opposition, among her many crimes, is out to tarnish “secular democratic values that we cherish since 1971″. How, by speaking out against religious fanaticism and indiscriminate bombing is the leader of the opposition tarnishing the values of 1971? Perhaps his disgust would be better targeted at those who share the stage with those who worked against our independence in 1971.

He goes on to add, “Hindus, Christians, and Muslims are free to express their opinions, and choose their own religions, and way of lives.” I would like to ask Mr Mujib, who lives in the comfort of Los Angeles many thousands of miles away, whether he has been to the villages of the extreme corners of Bangladesh where over one and a half crore Hindus and Christians live, where women are afraid to leave their homes on their own, where property owners live in constant fear of confiscation under the enemy property ACT and where voters are afraid to participate in elections.

We fight alongside our Muslim brothers against the common evils of poverty, unemployment and political violence and share the dream of glory for our beloved Bangladesh, but we don’t need the patronising ignorance of the elite abroad.

Mr Mujib, if hearing unpleasant truths about our country embarrasses you, come and stand beside us and spend your energy on correcting those things, but do not attack the victims.

My question is how many of you know what they are talking about when they are referring to four main principles of 1971 or the enemy property law etc..