Mon 3 Sep 2007
… and then eternal peace prevailed in Bangladesh
Posted by Rumi under Bangladesh , Democracy , News and eventsMrs Khaleda Zia, an ex prime minister of Bangladesh for more than ten years, opposition leader for nearly 11 years, head of government’s wife for about five years, has been arrested this morning. After her bail petition got rejected she was sent to a subjail in the parliament premises. Also arrested was Khaleda and late president Ziaur Rahman’s younger son, Arafat Rahmahn Coco, who was sent to seven days remand.
(courtesy BDnews.)
This is the main news in BBC website.
This was reported at BDnews24.com,
Dhaka, Sept 3 (bdnews24.com) – A Dhaka court Monday refused bail to Khaleda Zia and ordered her into jail after security forces arrested the former prime minister early morning.
The court of metropolitan magistrate ABM Abdul Fattah remanded the BNP chief’s younger son Arafat Rahman Coco, arrested shortly after 7:30am along with her, in custody for seven days for questioning.
Khaleda would be kept in a special jail on the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban premises that also houses another makeshift prison where former prime minister Sheikh Hasina has been detained since July 16.
Personal staffers for Khaleda’s family, Yusuf and Amir, were also taken to court.
Khaleda arrived in court in sari and sunglasses and Coco was in jeans and T-shirt.
Security officials battled chaos in front of the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court for Dhaka.
The embattled former prime minister was driven away from her cantonment home to court in a Nissan Patrol car (Dhaka Metro Gha: 02-3327) in a security bubble.Coco was in a different car.
The move came hours after the Anticorruption Commission filed a corruption case against 13 people, including the former prime minister and the younger son.
Lawyers who defended Khaleda and her son in court were Abdul Wadud Bhuiyan, Sanaullah Miah, Masud Ahmed Talukder, Lutfe Alam and Khorshed Alam.
Prosecution officer Abdur Rashid represented the ACC in court.
Police and RAB officers and intelligence agents swarmed the road to the Shaheed Mainul Road residence of the BNP chief.
Another group of lawyers, led by Barrister Mahbubuddin Khokan, tried to push their way into court, but RAB officers stopped them, sparking an angry exchange of words.
Security officers put in place a huge security arrangement on the road to the CMM’s Court, but a huge crowd seemed to have stretched it.
Earlier in an exclusive phone interview with bdnews24.com a couple of hours before the arrest, Khaleda said: “I’m not afraid of arrest. People are with me. The case against me is false.”
Khaleda faces allegations of having a role in shady appointment of a private handling company, Global Agro Trade Company as a contractor for the Inland Container Depot in Kamalapur and Chittagong Port Container Terminal.
The ACC alleged that Khaleda used her influence illegally as prime minister in the appointment of the contractor.
In the build-up to the arrest, scores of security officers in plainclothes drove into Dhaka cantonment before dawn, as the arrest of the BNP chairperson loomed in the horizon.
Plainclothes officers arrived at the house at around 5:15am and asked Khaleda and Coco to “get ready” in a clear indication of arrest, house staffer Ruhul Amin told bdnews24.com at 5:40am.
At least 10 cars in the first batch drove into the cantonment shortly after 5am, followed by another convoy of up to 25 cars, witnesses reported from the scene.
In the rare interview with bdnews24.com, Khaleda said: “Against the BNP, there was a conspiracy in the past. Still there is. I hope BNP leaders and workers stay united.”
“I worked for people all my life. I’m passing the burden of justice to people as well. Please pray for me,” Khaleda told bdnews24.com by phone from home.
In another developement Khaleda expelled the estraged secretary of the party Mr Mannan Bhuiyan. Khandkar Delowar Hossain is tipped to be the successor of Mannan Bhuiyan. Brig Gen Hannan Shah will work as acting Chair while Khaleda specifically mentioned the name of Goyeswar Chandra Roy as the special advisor to the new GS and the acting president.
********************************************************************
A significant number of people have been blaming two main political leaders for all the vice of Bangladesh. Now as both the causes of the all the evil are effectively contained in jail cells, so a sun of eternal lasting peace is supposed to rise in the horizon today. People should start living in immense joy, peace and happyness. Nomore there should be any chaos, corruption, poverty, lawlessness, hunger, crime in this country. There would be everlasting peace.
Updates from Dhaka shohor blog:
September 3rd, 2007 at 5:46 am
All,
CTG has finally proved that they are neutral regardless which party supporters you are.
I admire CTG to take off head of the snakes so they can not bite anymore. I congratulate their strategies to move this country forward, there might be some hick-up in the process like not able to control the essential prices which
is clear conspiracy some of our corrupted businessmen plus price hike in the
international market.
This is the high time to get together to move this country forward for good. Every body
has a role to play regardless how little or how big you are.
Please join our hand to move this country. There might be few unhappy people who are affected by this CTG actions, but I feel sorry for their inconvenient.
CTG should provide free rations for the disadvantaged people as long as the price
of essential items can not be controlled. At least CTG should help those needy in this critical time of the country and keep them live.
Regards,
M. M. Chowdhury (Mithu), Chemical Engineer, USA
September 3rd, 2007 at 6:01 am
The new round of cases filed against Hasina and Khaleda — seems on a first look — were done after some ground work. Most importantly they were filed by DUDOK — the anti corruption commission and not by random business people on shoddy extortion charges.
So who replaced Mannan Bhuiyan? Never a dull day in bd politics.
September 3rd, 2007 at 6:05 am
A much delayed action, KZ should have been jailed onn 2/11.
I don’t think there is a single person out there who can deny that the immediate past BNP government was the most corrupt in Bangladesh’s history and Khaleda Zia headed this mafia government with the likes of Tarique,Falu,Babar,Saifur and sons, Huda and all her ministers. If there is justice she should spend the rest of her years in Jail.
September 3rd, 2007 at 6:06 am
Mr. M. M. Chowdhury,
Like you I’m happy to see corrupt people in jails.
But please do me a favour and stop blaming just about EVERYone for the price hike. “Corrupt businessmen”??? What corrupt businessmen? Who are these corrupt businessmen? If you have evidence, please go back to Bangladesh and stand witness against them. I will back you 100%.
Otherwise, stop wasting both your and our time. You are asking us to believe that a government that has moved against the two most powerful people in Bangladesh cannot move against a bunch of businessmen whose political godfathers are in jail.
Worse, you are trying to explain something as serious as inflation - on which people’s lives depend - with your almost unsupported speculations.
Frankly you know who I blame for the price hike? Jesus. Yeah, that’s right. About as absurd as yours.
September 3rd, 2007 at 6:07 am
Mr. Chowdhury
Could you please explain on what ground, while all the senior leadership of BNP are hiding or in jail, Mannan Bhuiyan enjoys a VIP privilege and security provied by the government?
What kind of neutral govt is this when Amir Hossain Amu has the loudest voice these days, while he is involved beyond doubt with billion taka misappropriation scheme in the food ministry while he was the food minister?
September 3rd, 2007 at 6:08 am
The following of due process for the cases involving these two leaders are absolutely critical and they needed to be provided with facilities where they are comfortable and treated with utmost respect. We must remember that these are the “queens” or “empresses” of our country. Any misstep in this regard can be a cause for a lot of commotion and trouble for the CTG, after all they are former head of states, and rightly deserve the honor and respect.
At the same time, we should let the law and justice take its own course, and show to everyone inside the country and outside that law is enforced equally and blindly for all citizens and anyone that involved themselves in corruption, specially the elected MP’s, must pay for their crimes and for the betrayal of public trust vested on them.
September 3rd, 2007 at 6:16 am
M M Chowdhury, blog comments are no place to put your CV/resume (yes, we had to take that out). Perhaps, you are trying to get some attention of some people in Bangladesh. But unquestioned lajurbritti has just brought the downfall of the other two parties. Don’t think you are doing the CTG a favour by doing that either. If they are listening to crticism, more power to the crtics who want to see the CTG successful as well. But no thanks to people like you who think all critics of any government are enemy of Bangladesh.
September 3rd, 2007 at 6:19 am
RE: # 4.
I am sure the CTG is able to put the corrupt businessmen in jail but it will require them to remain in power for couple of more years which is not feasible and something none of us want and precisely the reason they are mostly targeting the political godfathers.
Once the godfathers are put out of action, the corrupt business people will hopefully see the error of their ways and reform themselves.
The corruption drive should and must continue under the next elected government.
September 3rd, 2007 at 6:25 am
#8,
I’m sure of that the CTG is able to do that right now. As you’ve said, once the godfathers are out of action, there will be no more incentive for the businesspeople to be corrupt. I said the same thing in #4. Why would it take 2/3 years?
My only point was that Mr. Chowdhury’s “explanation” of inflation as a “conspiracy” is not simply wrong, but dangerous if it actually leads to policies that do not address the core reasons for inflation. This current inflation problem goes deeper than such simplistic notions.
September 3rd, 2007 at 6:31 am
Hannan shah acting chaiman, Khondokar Delwar Hossain new sec gen. Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan expelled. Two rival groups call press conference. Okay, so BNP splits. History revisited? Remember the Huda-Matin split from BNP in 84? Eventually BNP Matin merged with jp.
September 3rd, 2007 at 7:17 am
This government has failed on many sectors, price hike, eviction without proper rehabilation of hawkers. But the whole country also admires things that it has done: arrests of Hasina-khaleda-tareq-salman-salahuddin kader-falu-lalu-bulu gang.
No government has been able to give the judiciary independence, make Acc and Ec effective. Giving autonomy to Btv and betar.In no government’s term the Chittagong port’s productivity has increased to 80 percent, which is even greater than singapore.
Again from jute mills to many sectors, this government has floundered, but despite this we have the best government since independence. That only shows the failure of the others.
Its very natural that some ppl like Rumi, who it is very clear a supporter of the bnp, will feel bad. But we who live in Bangladesh are really tired of it. Last night when dhaka was rife with the possible arrest of KZ, a cng driver told me that he wished ‘ Fokoruddin’ stays for a few more years.
You may argue here that ppl have shown resentments in the recent protest. But believe me ppl’s angst do not die down in one and a half hours, the vandals were gone the moment the curfew was declared. I am not saying the whole thing was sexed up. Hawkers, students have resentment, anger, most of which were legitimate, but these ppl did not want to translate their angst into something so destructive. On the second day, after the mienoon bnp-al and Jamat men took to the street and vandalised.
The choice is before us: do we want to see the reign of the begums back? Do we want to see Tariq, falu, joinal hazari, Shamim osman back in action.
i just hope the government arrest all the corruption suspects, rehabilitate the hawkers and workers, try to control the kitchen market more, and demolish the rangs bhaban.
And of course hold an election according to the roadmap.
September 3rd, 2007 at 8:14 am
Dear Boishaki and other fellow bloggers,
To my children, I say, Khaleda Zia is my mother. Though I had never been in active politics I was a BNP supporter from the zero hour of BNP’s birth; and I respect KZ as my late mother. Because my late mother and Khaleda Zia became widow at the same age. I know how my mother had to struggle to raise us bieng widow. Khaleda had double-trouble raising the kids, BNP and the state.
I’m not upset by her arrest. If she is found real guilty and gets her due punishment it will be okay with me because I believe collective interest[group/party] is bigger than individuals; nation or country is bigger than parties and the humanity or the inerest of mankind is bigger than national interest. So if my country or nation goes against the humanity or mankind my stand will be against my nation even if I’m called traitor.
Boishaki,
I don’t agree with you that last BNP Government was the most corrupt in last 36 years of Bangladesh. To err is humans. Khaleda, perhaps, made mistakes and many of his ministers were involved in corruptions, but she was, I would emphatically say, 100 times better leader than Hasina. If you aren’t biased and look at the merit of corruptin charges against Hasina and Khaleda it will beobvious who was like what. Hasina always was vocal about Tariq’s and electricity related corruption but ironically now Hasina is behind the bar for Chadabaji with electricity mega contracts.
On the other hands, though Gen. Moin lectured like politicians, what he shouldn’t, that the past government had stolen 20 thousand crore takas from the sole electricity sector, the CTG couldn’t prove.
Hasina and her yes mem leaders, intellectuals and media stooges had been crazy to portray Tariq as the greatest AILBABA of the current era but as of now DUDOC could find any corruption of Tariq. I don’t say he [Tariq] is a clean man. He had, I’m sure, got some financial benefit for him using or abusing his position and raised fund for party. But his opponent, mainly the media very unfairly exaggerated his corruption too much.
There was one big charge against Tariq and the BNP government that Tariq and the business syndicates were responsible for price-hikes. Now Tariq and all his alleged syndicates are busted, why the CTG fails to contain the soaring prices!
Where most people of the country who can catch KALOM/pens [letterd] are corrupt and devoid of morality, it’s not easy to eradicate corruption. It’s easier said than done.
It deserves mentioninghere, when Bangladesh first became champion in corruption during Hasina’s last year of administration we scored 0.4 out of 10 [4%] in transparency score while according to the last report in the last year of Khaleda, our score was 2.0 out of 10 [20%] with 3rd position by score and 8th position by country. And it clearly indicates, if we believe in TIB report, Khaleda’s government was 5 times more transparent than Hasina’s. So by pen and papper, it is untrue to incriminate that last BNP government was the most corrupt one in last 36 years of Bangladesh.
Thanks.
September 3rd, 2007 at 9:10 am
More on the incident that instigated the case is here:
A report published in Daily Star in 2005.
http://www.thedailystar.net/2005/06/29/d50629012216.htm
According to sources, the cabinet purchase committee at first rejected the proposal of the Agroted as the firm did not have previous experience. But later it got the contract following the green signal from the prime minister’s office.
September 3rd, 2007 at 9:24 am
I wonder if several years downstream these folks will be cleared a la benazir when it is politically expedient for the authorities in the absence better leadership and a weakened grasp on state power.
Leaders, Amra apnaderke khujchi
September 3rd, 2007 at 9:44 am
I don’t say he [Tariq] is a clean man. He had, I’m sure, got some financial benefit for him using or abusing his position and raised fund for party. But his opponent, mainly the media very unfairly exaggerated his corruption too much.
And the winner of the “Biggest Understatement combined with Unhinged Paranoia Award” goes to…
*fumbles with opening envelope**
Bitterboy!!
September 3rd, 2007 at 10:25 am
I am thinking about the future of Bangladesh.
Think how the new leadership would be formed?
If the two leaders Hasina and Khaleda would be punished, how the AL and BNP would be rearranged themsleves?
The answer is : BNP and AL would be broken down into different groups.
And then who would take the chance of the breakdown of the two major parties?
September 3rd, 2007 at 10:33 am
Fugstar, quite often I have difficulty understanding your point. But I’m totally with you on number 14. In a not too distant future, one of these folks will be cleared of all charges as part of deals with the powers-that-be, and the other one will be heralded as an aposhheen netri. As they say, rajniti te shesh kotha bole kichu nai.
September 3rd, 2007 at 10:33 am
Bitterboy (post no. 12): ‘ To my children, I say, Khaleda Zia is my mother’
Sorry for the downfall of your ‘mother’ and two brothers. I hope they get justice.
September 3rd, 2007 at 10:34 am
Also see a post from the past..
http://www.drishtipat.org/blog/2007/06/19/khaleda-zias-legacy/
September 3rd, 2007 at 10:36 am
and here goes the inevitable supporter crying picture.
Sorry about your ‘mother’, bitterboy.
September 3rd, 2007 at 11:43 am
Contrary to my believe ‘History has shown that democracy is not a prerequisite for economic development’, I read last night in Jeffrey D Sachs’s famous book on Poverty alleviation that was forewarded by Bono. Where as democracy is must for everything and all chaos and anarchy created by our politics media supported them as a prerequisite to uphold the democratic rights.
If there is a free press there can not be a famine media also propagating.
Let me confess I am very biased against our media, main reason is, I consider them as most read and most literate group of the society and they bear an enormous power to move the society. Since they fail to perform, there originates my resentment. Also I believe that ‘corrupt consensus’ forms by many literates including a bigger portion of the media.
Media has been very loud and noisy on our corruptions, but many of it were not qualified as system, environment and geopolitics has a great role. Thereby it would have been wise had they educate people in a balanced manner, not only selling antagonizing stories.
The fable of corruptions and misuse of power against Khaleda, Hasina (now you see Ershad is out in the frame work) and their henchmen, should get no sympathy, but the way whole state craft’s image and function being put down is disastrous and a shame. That is all my pride is taken away and my nation with its mechanics presented as a total failure, which is not the whole truth. I am not ready yet to join the band wagon of this group.
While I accepted the arrest of the politicians, I would like to see the HC and Supreme court moved with its own strength to punish them. At the same time, I will keep myself and whoever like to join me, aware of the incompetency of the current regime. Who, despite all fusses (as one example) about 20 thousand koti taka churir galpa could not prove it yet, even 7 months on could not award a big or small contracts for erecting a power plant. In a deceitful behavior did not produce their own wealth account.
So Khaleda and Coco’s arrest comes as both good and bad news to me.
September 3rd, 2007 at 11:53 am
Finally KZ was arrested. Whoever thought that the CTG was in favour of BNP it is surely a great news for them. Can anyone confirm that CTG followed the due process to arrest her?
September 3rd, 2007 at 2:12 pm
i think KZ’s arrest is not something unexpected. she has to face the music.
however, i expect that the unconstitutional, unelected, undemocratic ‘military-driven’ bangladesh government will learn a lession from mrs. zia’s life : that is, history doesnt forgive those who misuse their power.
September 3rd, 2007 at 2:22 pm
Criticizing me and CTG are everybody’s right in democracy. I do appreciate for your criticism about what I have said about not able to control the price of essential items in Bangladesh.
What I have said with facts and real examples, I do not need to go to in details. You may agree or disagree thats upto you. The bottom line is that the price in international market has increased regardless where we live. Few big businessmen are not opeing LC or importing essential items because of fear or consipiracy, jury still out there, therefore there is a vacuum created by these businessmen, which help to increase the prices further more.
The buying power of general people did not increase in Bangladesh significantly as per world inflation rate. So poor or general people are hit hard in this situation.
Bangladesh have done increase the buying power of approx. 1% of the people with corruption and was able to buy BMW or other expensive cars where a regular Ganrments worker did not get enough salary increase with inflation rate.
I hope that I was able to clarify my stand and I am not randomely accusing anyone or any group, everything is supported by facts and reseach. You may not agree with my facts which is perfectly ok.
Thanks,
M. M. Chowdhury (Mithu)
September 3rd, 2007 at 2:42 pm
I hope CTG knows the root of KZ’s power. They have started the most critical power game played in the history of Bangladesh. Many army officers will not take it easily. After all entire ZIA family is in jail!
I am sure they will not get justice. In the process few people will pay dearly.
These arrests will bring Zia and Sheikhs closer. I don’t have an iota of doubt that these two leaders and their loyal will come back to power. Not necessarily as PM or COL but most certainly as the head of the power houses. However, they should realize no matter how different they are their fortune is tied together. Future of Bangladesh is gloomy but not hopeless. When they come back, they will not lead the old bitter rivalry.
And people who are happy with these arrests remind me Pastor Martin Niemöller’s poem, written about the Nazi regime.
First they came for the communists,
and I did not speak out—
because I was not a communist;
Then they came for the socialists,
and I did not speak out—
because I was not a socialist;
Then they came for the trade unionists,
and I did not speak out—
because I was not a trade unionist;
Then they came for the Jews,
and I did not speak out—
because I was not a Jew;
Then they came for me—
and there was no one left to speak out for me.
September 3rd, 2007 at 2:47 pm
Rumi #5
I don’t say the CTG has been doing all best. They have some mistakes and misteps by now. But they are fairly neutral or at least balancing. It’s not possible to take all the steps together especially about busting drive as there needs some judiciary processes with. Tha’s why, someimes it seems they are over-doing with one and little lenient to others.
I believe, they will at some point go after ABDUL AND AMU after they finish using them for weakening BNP and AWL. And I’m hoping for that show.
Thanks.
September 3rd, 2007 at 3:13 pm
MRA (22),
She did not get bail because the case was taken under Emergency power. As you know, this was challenged by Hasina and high court granted her bail. However, eventually supreme court stayed the bail until High Court resolves the case on whether this case can be tried under emergency. How that case is resolved will determine largely the future direction of these two ladies. However, this case, along with a new one from Hasina, was not filed some random business people with chequered history unlike last time. Both of these cases were filed by anti-corruption commission on a specific charge. On Khaleda’s case, the issue was discussed in Bangladesh newspaper in 2005. So this is nothing that was made up either. Whether due process is followed depends entirely whether you consider the special powers of emergency as rule of law.
September 3rd, 2007 at 3:15 pm
Well done and congratulations to the CTG. About time that these grotesque figures are held accountable for their misdeeds. Baap’er talluk ar shami’r talluk banae to onekdin khaise…
September 3rd, 2007 at 4:33 pm
To everyone who’re really gleeful that Begum Zia has been arrested, I counsel tolerance: her lot will ultimately be decided by how the common people of Bangladesh regard her. This arrest, and the subsequent trials, won’t change her ultimate fate, one way or another.
I’m really not impressed that the ACC has filed a case as opposed to a businessman. I think it means that the CTG has run out of businessmen who’re willing to file cases on the government’s behalf. Newspaper reports used to appear alleging corruption about almost every major deal that the BNP government implemented, so I don’t think the fact that this port deal has been written about in the newspapers is really that relevant. As far as I can tell, the case revolves around the fact that two firms both fulfilled terms of a contract, one was cheaper than the other one, but the more expensive one got the contract. The government will have a very difficult time proving in the High Court (not the lower ones) that any wrong-doing did actually take place. It’s SOP for Bangladesh government agencies to write bid letters in language obscure enough that the purchasing authority can virtually pick whichever company they choose, and then cite one of the technical criterions to justify their choice.
September 3rd, 2007 at 4:48 pm
I am sorry, I never visited this this sparkling blog. But I am disapointed to discover that almost all the contributers surfed on the surface of the troubled time of Bangladesh without being aware of the river at the sea-bottom. If you remeber this Army is being controlled by the forces in and outside the country that crushed ‘71 born Bangladesh and remodelled it Bismillah polish. Their main target is to keep this land and people subjugated for their own purposes. To that end they are using Religion following the lesson from the British colonialists who could rule a whole subcontinent through manipulation of religion of ignorant people. The designers of 1975 created BNP (a little later when Zia was successfully made acceptable by the volatile Bengalees) in order to keep AL and other pro-Liberation forces at bay so that Jamat can build its castle and amass its troops. To me, Khaleda-Hasina hysteria will soon die and Yunus-Quereshis will be given a chance to work till the Masjid Shomaj gets ready to take over finnaly when the call, ‘Power to the Soviets will be replaced by ‘Power to the Mosque’
Rononklanto
September 3rd, 2007 at 5:04 pm
About time. They should have arrersted these two corrupts at the same time. Then support behind the CTG would have remained uniform. Better late than never.
Yes I am “gleeful”.
September 3rd, 2007 at 5:22 pm
News of khaleda’s arrest is not a big deal in blogosphere… why am i not surprised?
Expect to see some more solid cases against these two ladies!
September 3rd, 2007 at 6:19 pm
Interesting to see that we, Bangladeshis, judge situation by heart; not by brain. None of the allegations are proved against KZ or SH, though some bloggers are ready to hang them till death!
It will better for all of us to analyze situation without any bias or attacking anyone personally.
September 3rd, 2007 at 6:44 pm
Mr. M.M. Chowdhury #24,
Nothing personal was meant in any criticism of your words (#4). But you did manage to hihglight a very paranoid, conspiracy-ridden mindset which has done nothing to help Bangladesh through its many crises from 1972 onwards!
Within the span of 12 hours, you have gone from saying:
“there might be some hick-up in the process like not able to control the essential prices which is clear conspiracy some of our corrupted businessmen plus price hike in the
international market.”
to saying:
“Few big businessmen are not opeing LC or importing essential items because of fear or consipiracy, jury still out there, therefore there is a vacuum created by these businessmen”
Essentially, from a “clear conspiracy” at 5:46 am, you’ve come to the conclusion that “the jury is still out” on whether there is any conspiracy or whether its natural fear of the authorities at 2:22 pm.
This is the classic “shoot first, ask questions later” approach. Let me be clear: it makes for VERY BAD POLICY PRESCRIPTIONS. If there is a conspiracy, why arrest the businessmen by all means! If it’s fear, then arresting businessmen right now will simply worsen inflation.
Let me add quickly: the CTG has not listened to its cheerleaders like you. Kudos to them! Proves that there are cool, intelligent heads in the government. I’m just worried about the nature of their supporters and their constant search for “conspiracies” to explain everything going wrong.
Coming up next: “global warming”, real threat or a “conspiracy” by NRB bloggers? Stay tuned….
September 3rd, 2007 at 8:07 pm
#33, I am not sure what is your problem, if I take hard line, then say I am too ouline from the facts, when I trying to be middle, you say I didn’t take hardline.
You know why Bangladesh is in trouble because people like you whose mindset is always trying to find fault, can not provide the solution. We as Bangladeshi never like other to be sucess like you are working against me like cats and mouse for so long. Even tough I do not care much about you since you are pre-mind set for long time.
Anyway I think we should be moderate and take what is good and discard what is bad even though it may go against our will and wish.
I hope if you are smart you know what I have meant. Do you know how CTG is workring against so many odd and conspirators? Since you do not have any ideas and I do not need to disclose what the info that I have. All I can say conspirators never like Bangladesh become successful in social and ecomonomical arena.
CTG has so much stuff that they just can not give you all the information as an ordinary people like you for the security reason.
Just take my word.
–M. M. Chowdury (Mithu)
September 3rd, 2007 at 8:20 pm
Million Dollar Question:
Now that supporters of AL & BNP are either rejoicing or crying with Hasina, Khaleda along with few other front line leaders out of the game, who like arise as new leaders from the ashes?
(Note: Please keep in mind that Dr. Yunus has already been ejected, Dr. Kamal may not be acceptable by all because of his detachment from the mass. So that leaves who!??)
Cheers
September 3rd, 2007 at 9:53 pm
“CTG has so much stuff that they just can not give you all the information as an ordinary people like you for the security reason.”
I heard it before! Did not I? hmmm
September 3rd, 2007 at 10:26 pm
Arif, AsifY (36),
Yeap you heard it in the film a few good man. Remember Jack Nicholson’s monologue?
Here it is:
Jessep: You can’t handle the truth! Son, we live in a world that has walls. And those walls have to be guarded by men with guns. Who’s gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinberg? I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You weep for Santiago and you curse the Marines. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know: that Santiago’s death, while tragic, probably saved lives. And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives…You don’t want the truth. Because deep down, in places you don’t talk about at parties, you want me on that wall. You need me on that wall. We use words like honor, code, loyalty…we use these words as the backbone to a life spent defending something. You use ‘em as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom I provide, then questions the manner in which I provide it! I’d rather you just said thank you and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon and stand a post. Either way, I don’t give a damn what you think you’re entitled to! .
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Few_Good_Men
September 3rd, 2007 at 11:01 pm
#35 Sufibaba
you have forgotten about the “Shotloks”. Jamat is still out there. You know our internet intellectuals have already “proved” that how jamat is better than anybody else. You know Hasina’s Marcedes is a symbol of corruption, Shajahan Chy’s car is the symbol of islam. Never forget, in 1971, they faught against the indian occupation army, they will fight against who talk against Jamate Islam. GC Dev gese jei pothe Shariara Kobir Jabe shie pothe.
September 4th, 2007 at 12:57 am
Sufibaba #35
Here’s a scenario :
1. Given latest charges against KZ & COCO were laid by DUDOC, they’ve done some groundwork and can be thought of as on more solid ground. Most likely they’ll be found guilty and jail terms.
2. On the other hand CTG isn’t doing too well with TZ charges. THings are on shakier ground and they are having difficulty therefore no sentencing yet. Given the whole family is in jail. Some sort of deal will be brokered where mother and younger son will remain in jail but Tareq will be free. Hence your BNP leader from the ashes.
3. On the other hand, SH will be charged and jailed. There will be kondol within senior AL leadership. They’ll be needing the blue blood badly. Sk. Rehana’s path is blocked by DUDOC ongoing investigations. So Don’t be surprized to see Joy Wazed on a flight to Dhaka ( Can you imagine the headline…” Ami amar ma o desher gonotontroke bachatay eshachhi”…)
A wild scenario indeed. Just when we thought we were close to get rid of family dynasty. We’ll be in with Gen X dynasty.
September 4th, 2007 at 1:06 am
[...] still remains whether this will pave the way towards restoring democracy in Bangladesh. Rumi writes in Drishtipat Blog ironically: A significant number of people have been blaming two main political [...]
September 4th, 2007 at 1:07 am
#34
When I joked, “Coming up next: “global warming”, real threat or a “conspiracy” by NRB bloggers? Stay tuned”, little did I realise that Mr. Chowdhury #34 would oblidge me in this glorious fashion:
“You know why Bangladesh is in trouble because people like you whose mindset is always trying to find fault, can not provide the solution.”
Yes I confess. I AM the trouble with Bangladesh. If I hadn’t spoken about inflation, then there would not have been any inflation.
My “problem” is that people like you have been enabling corrupt leaders to run and ruin Bangladesh for the last 16 years.
That’s my problem.
But then again, I’m an ordinary person and not someone with privileged information like you. Apparently the quality of your information is really low, for you to change from “clear conspiracy” to “jury still out” in less than half a day.
Lastly do me a favour: stop using “security reasons” to cover up the utter illogicality of your arguments. It cheapens our security discourse (another very important thing that no one should take lightly). I heartily recommend reading the fable about the boy who cried wolf in this regard.
Ps. Solution to inflation: make Bangladesh Bank autonomous, announce RIGHT AWAY when the BDR special markets will end, build up the food buffer once again, restore the informal markets so that poor people can at least earn and for GODS SAKES send a strong clear message to food importers that the government is with them instead of shouting out about “corrupt businessmen”.
September 4th, 2007 at 2:41 am
With the arrest of Khaleda and Hasina and the commencement of their trials the role of the judiciary will no doubt come under greater scrutiny. Being a party in a litigation through our legal system is not for the faint hearted and should be avoided at all cost unless you have mamas and chachas in high places.
Like every government institution the judiciary in Bangladesh is highly politicized, thanks to manipulation by our previous governments. Prior to 1/11 we saw how Mr. Moudud influenced the judiciary in Mr. Erashad’s corruption case using Mr. Fayezee high court bench to prevent Ershad from contesting the scheduled election.
Another unprecedented interference was perpetuated by the then chief justice himself, who stayed the proceedings challenging the legality of Iajuddin assuming the role of chief adviser.
Post 1/11 we have seen the supreme court appellate division stay many orders passed by high court benches. Hasina’s bail petition is a prime example which the high court approved and the supreme court appellate division stayed. Was the SC influenced by the CTG?
Our judiciary has sentenced thousands of people to prison terms and probably hundreds to death. An average joe doesn’t stand a chance when they are in a litigation with a “connected” person. But we as a nation have settled for the status quo.
I am sure (IMO) the CTG can influence the outcome of Hasina/Khaleda corruption trial, either againts or in their favor. If the CTG stays neutral the verdict will ultimately be passed by supreme court judges who’s loyalties are debatable.
Is it possible for KZ and SH to get a fair trial?
September 4th, 2007 at 3:10 am
#35.
I don’t what is your credential, but it seems you are not a logical person.
Anyway, this sort of stuff won’t take anywhere. We still need to asses the situation in logical manner. I do believe KZ or SH should be considered guilty only after fair trial. If media label them “guilty”, it does undermine the justice system. Is it not the current MBG trying to achieve?
Let the court of law decide who is guilty or who is not.
And “CTG has so much stuff that they just can not give you all the information as an ordinary people like you for the security reason.
Just take my word.”
Who are you? If you are a part of the inner circle of CTG, then tell us. Tell us what do you know. Fascist govt usually do all type of corruption, torture to mass people in the name of “Security Reason.”
September 4th, 2007 at 3:41 am
The Chief Justice’s order to stay the proceedings of the case wasn’t unprecedented, Dr. Kamal Hossain once got a similar stay order in similar circumstances on behalf of Kazi Faroque of Prashika.
It is ironic though, that the present Chief Justice, Ruhul Amin, and the Acting Chief Justice, Fazlul Karim, were appointed to the Appelate Division by Sheikh Hasina, bypassing K. M. Hasan and Mudassir Hossain. Now it is these two gentlemen, who denied their patroness bail.
An interesting little primer, I think, for anyone curious about the intersection of politics and judiciary in our country.
September 4th, 2007 at 5:59 am
In the polarized Bangladeshi political culture, I am definitely not part of KZ’s globe. Not even close. In fact I live 180 feet apart. The minute they have arrested her and denied her bail- I am sure most of the Bangladeshis have forgiven her. Even, I felt sad for her debacle. None of the BD media were sympathetic to her. Although denying her bail plea is utter injustice and it is beyond of my comprehension how a corruption case came within emergency periphery. I sincerely wish her best wishes.
September 4th, 2007 at 6:14 am
Financial Times reports thus. Many would recall that it was FT that first reported of the minus-2 formula back in Feb.
Former Bangladesh PM arrested
By Jo Johnson in New Delhi and agencies
Published: September 3 2007 17:15 | Last updated: September 3 2007 17:15
The army-backed crackdown on Bangladesh’s notoriously venal ruling class entered a decisive phase on Monday with the long-expected arrest of former prime minister Khaleda Zia on corruption charges.
Mrs Zia, leader of the Bangladesh National party, and her younger son Arafat Rahman were taken from their Dhaka home to court and remanded in custody, pending investigation by the government’s anti-graft body, officials said.
She joins Sheikh Hasina, her bitter rival and another former prime minister, and more than 170 other senior political figures who have been put behind bars since the military-backed caretaker government declared a state of emergency in January.
Mrs Zia’s detention came hours after the anti-corruption commission filed charges against Mrs Hasina, the head of the Awami League, accusing her of taking illegal payments from a private electricity firm.
Mainul Husein, the administration’s law and information adviser, said the arrest of Mrs Zia, who served two terms as prime minister, proved that “no one is above the law” in the government’s drive against corruption.
The arrest of Mrs Zia and her son came after the commission accused her of illegally influencing the selection of an operator for two state-run container depots in 2003, during her second term in power, which ended last October.
The selection allegedly cost the government $145m.
Mrs Zia said the charges were part of a “conspiracy to tarnish the image” of her and her party. “We have done nothing wrong. This case against us must be lifted,” she said.
The two former prime ministers have dominated Bangladesh’s politics since the restoration of democracy in 1990. They head the country’s two biggest parties and their supporters have frequently engaged in violent street clashes.
The army has played a critical behind-the-scenes role in Bangladesh since January 11, when it sacked a caretaker government packed with Mrs Zia’s allies and summoned technocrats to form a new one.
The two women have been blamed for promoting a culture of political corruption. The authorities, backed by the powerful armed forces, have vowed to clean up the country’s politics before holding new elections by the end of 2008. A spokesman for the Indian foreign ministry said: “We would hope that the people of Bangladesh will be enabled to choose their representatives in a free, fair and democratic process.
“In our view, the early and full restoration of democracy, due process of law and respect for individual rights will contribute to the evolution of a stable, democratic and prosperous Bangladesh.”
Analysts said the interim government – led by bureaucrat Fakhruddin Ahmed – had lost much of its early popularity as a result of its preoccupation with weakening the political opposition at the expense of its declared reform and anti-corruption agenda.
Maria Kuusisto, an analyst at Eurasia, a political risk consultancy, said: “The public now suspects that the government campaign against the political parties will lead to the military’s formal return to politics.”
Barred from organising public rallies, the two parties have in recent weeks used their student wings to pressure the interim government. Protests in Dhaka and five other large cities have drawn support from sections of the general public.
For five consecutive years from 2001 to 2005, Transparency International ranked Bangladesh as the most corrupt country in the world. It moved down to third in 2006.
Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2007
September 4th, 2007 at 7:18 am
#6 khilji # 43 Boishakhi
I strongly agree that due process is necessary for the two Ex PMs. I would also say, highest security measure should be taken. So that any “wanna be” or self proclaimed judge does not try to serve ‘justice’. The physical proximity of two PMs makes the situation more vulnerable. Make sure that ‘unruly’ processions do not get into the area and create situations for crossfire.
I do not know whether any or both of them are guilty or not, I think this is a huge tactical mistake.
#12 bitterboy
Probably he has given his youth, like many others, believing a doctrine and unconditionally surrendering to the leadership. Let’s not hurt him on an honest confession.
Bangladesh was ruled by three parties, AL, BNP and Army. Will the third party be ever accountable? Might be they were “honest” like Jamat.
September 4th, 2007 at 9:33 am
40 Banglar man: Its possible to see TZ and Joy, if there is no corruption verdict against them, why not let them run, just because they are scions of the dynastic families, we cannot exclude them under existing laws. But its a definitely funny scenario, as you have pointed out.
43 Boishakhi: You have a valid point there, this is the reason I suggested a future NSC that will be able to over ride the judiciary. As for the current purpose of judging KZ and SH, we have to make do with what we have. But these judges or jury whoever is involved in the process, they would better follow the due process with extreme extreme caution (emphasis intended), considering that they would be deciding the fate of the two most iconic and powerful figures of our nation. I would say that these two are probably the last of their kind in Bangladesh, I hope, as TZ or Joy, none really have it in them to follow their mothers foot steps.
48 SC: The move seems risky, but I think the CTG will be able to handle it, if they do everything else correctly and if the judiciary does a really fair trial.
AL and BNP had their cadres and so did Jamat, but it has lucked out now because maybe not many of them had as much chance to get involved in corruption, or may be they are not corrupt, someone with more knowledge can elaborate on this. I think in a free election, Jamat will not get much vote, support is still quite low for extremists, if I have the right impression.
Coco seemed ill, he probably needs medical treatment. But KZ looked composed and calm even in this difficult situation. Barrister Mainul is the funny man as always, he finds great humor in many things it seems, but lately he is trying to be more serious. General Moeen seems intelligent and of the thinking type, not your typical head strong army man - just my impression of different personalities from TV footage.
In 1990 or 1991, during the last days of Ershad, before the fall of his govt., I had the chance to meet TZ in a bank’s Industrial Credit Division, where we were both trying to get loans. He seemed nice and polite. I told him that I admired his late father and had brief conversations with him on other topics. He seemed to have a favorable impression of me and called me several times, perhaps he was looking for a good friend. But I never took him up on his offer of friendship, as I knew that political parties were involved with goons and the environment is dirty. But to this day, sometimes I regret, maybe I should have sacrificed my personal taste and may be I could be a good friend, confidant and guide for him.
The point I am trying to make is that the political environment must be made clean gradually, free from chanda baji, armed or unarmed cadre bahini, vote-buying, making money from using MP or ministerial positions etc., otherwise honest good people will not get involved in politics, as it will be beyond their means or taste.
September 4th, 2007 at 5:47 pm
we are only 8/9 years behind our former rulers,
Nawaz Sharif and Bhutto are returning to politics while Hasina and Khaleda just started
their vacation. The defeated force of 1971
( both inside and outside) will not miss this opportunity and will take full advantage of this situation.
#12,Bitterboy
Khaleda is 100 times better than Hasina !!
Did you read interview of Khaleda’s PS few months ago? She used to take all decisions according to her 2 sons’ “abdar” and completely ignored other politicians who were MPS and ministers. When Coco went to Bangkok with his friend, BD ambassador there refused to give his friends VIP teatment, Coco complained to his mother and she removed the ambassador from his position immediately.
At the end of BNP’s first tenure,they tried to stay in power by holding a “dummy” 15th February election, last year also they tried to make a puppet CTG by appointing Iajuddin as chief advisor.We did not see this kind of drama at the end of awami league’s tenure.
Awami league appointed Shahabuddin as president, Have you forgotten the treatment Badruddaza received after khaleda Zia dismissed him?
Law and order was horrible during awami league’s tenure, but they did some good work in rural development and education. BD’s primary school enrollment for girls was highest among south asia during 2000-2001, even better than India, It fell again during BNP’s regime.
Khaleda Zia blocked Bangabondhu Murder case,
During her tenure, there was no progress on this murder case, a great leader should not be so sympathetic for those who killed women and children.
After last election, Khaleda zia had clear majority to form the Govt, but she put 2 war criminals in her cabinet, she made us ashamed as a nation when she allowed Nizami and Mujahid to place our national flag on their cars. Indians and Pakistanis asked me how come war criminals became ministers, I could not answer.
She kept aside honest and capable leaders of BNP
and made Milon and Babar ministers in her cabinet.We learned a new definition of an english word “crossfire”.
about corruption, I would say both are accused, so lets wait for the court’s verdict.
I am not saying that Hasina is much much better than khaleda, But its hard to believe that Khaleda is 100 times better than Hasina.Actually ,None of them practices democracy.
September 4th, 2007 at 7:04 pm
#50 Borsha:
If you look at the overall situation and compare between KZ & SH regime, any reasonable person would support the comment made by Bitterboy. Then again, I am not saying KZ was perfect, but her regime was less evil than SH.
September 4th, 2007 at 8:48 pm
>>If you look at the overall situation and >>compare between KZ & SH regime, any reasonable >>person would support the comment made by >>Bitterboy. Then again, I am not saying KZ was >>perfect, but her regime was less evil than SH.
What is the definition of a ‘reasonable’ person? Jodi kichu mone na koren- please share some indicators on which you can show your beloved regime has done better than the previous regime.
September 4th, 2007 at 9:07 pm
#51, Jodi Kichu Mone Na Koren
I admit that I am not reasonable enough to support Bitterboy, will you please tell me some evil things of AL regime , except poor law and order situation. Do you have any answer to any of the points I mentioned in my previous post?
Infact, during Khaleda Zia’s last tenure, BNP was made weaker as a party while Jamat gained strength and became stronger.Nizami-Mujahid gang are the biggest beneficiary of khaleda’s
last tenure. Supporting war criminals to confront awami league does not sound reasonable to me.
September 4th, 2007 at 10:08 pm
tacit #45,
Very good primer.
To add some spice into it, here is the following,
When KM Hassan and Mudassir was superseeded by Ruhul Amin and Fazlul Karim, supreme court Bar association brought out an unprcedented angry and huge rally in supreme court. There was no ‘vangchur’ there though. As a result, KM Hassan and Mudassir had to be included in the appellate division. The persons who led that movement was none other that Barrister Nazmul Huda, the then president of Supreme court Bar association. Nazmul Huda’s deputy was Barrister Aminul islam et el.
What an irony, the fate of Nazmul Huda ( 7 yrs jail so far) and Aminul haq ( 33 yrs jail so far) now hang on Ruhul Amin and Fazlul Karim, as both the cases will sure reach the higher courts.
September 4th, 2007 at 10:18 pm
http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=2738
A good move by the CTG. Just goes to show that the CTG is more sensible than its supporters on DP.
September 5th, 2007 at 1:32 am
That’s a good point, Rumi bhai. I personally think both these cases should be quashed at the High Court (especially the conviction for Aminul Haque, 33 years for supposedly being overheard on a cellphone?) along with Anwar Hossain Monju’s 5 years for keeping beer and Abul Hossain Khan’s seven years for keeping ninety bullets. But if they’re not, it’ll be interesting to see how things play out in the Appellate Division.
September 5th, 2007 at 1:52 am
With the CTG’s expressed intention to get these two ladies out of the picture, the latest news is hardly surprising.
What no one seems to know with any certainty is where are we heading. It seems unlikely to me that AL and BNP, without the two netris, will be effective political forces in galvanizing mass support. As much as educated class decry dynastic politics, all indications are that dynastic pull remains strong at the grassroots level, despite all the attempts to discredit the two netris. I don’t see any one else emerging as a national leader in the short run. It appears to me that we are in for highly unstable political times–perhaps a lot of coalitions and fractured government is in the offing, with periodic intervention from the armed forces during periodic crises; or perhaps a re-emergence of the netris, re-invigorated and energized.
Crisis is likely since a viable democracy requires strong institutions like an independent judiciary whose arbitration on important matters are accepted by all. Democracy without strong institutions is like a game without a referee. It is the failure of an acceptable referee that led to the 1-11 crisis in the first place.
Hopes that the present CTG would put judiciary in order have faded fast. Independent judiciary is not going to be achieved simply through an eleventh hour promulgation; instead a sitting government has to live by the constraints of an independent judiciary.
In it’s zeal to put the house quickly in order in the manner it sees fit, the present CTG does not seem to want to be constrained by the niceties of due process. The courts are seemingly acting according to the dictates of the government. At a time, when the Pakistani chief justice is making headlines with his courageous rulings, our supreme court seems to be busy staying high court orders that the government does not like. All this time, rights are being routinely trampled. The joint forces seem to be all powerful. The power of selective corruption investiation seem to have muzzled the press and civil society as well.
The oft-heard refrain from the supporters of the army backed CTG is that we have to let this government succeed, or else we return to the bad days of pre 1-11 when the country was facing a civil war. Indeed, given the options that stare us, the present CTG may still be the best bet.
However, this does not stop me from wondering–why is it that our people always has to choose between bad options? Either we have to embrace the old dynastic order, or we have to keep quiet even as people are being “remanded” ad-nauseum. Why is it that in order to achieve good objectives, we always seem to embrace less than acceptable means? Was it too much to hope that a government with good intentions will also act wisely and follow due process?
September 5th, 2007 at 2:54 am
Tanveer bhai (57),
Remember the old adage ‘road to hell is paved with good intentions’? And it’s not ‘why we embrace less than acceptable means to achieve good objectives’. Rather, it is ‘we fail to achieve good objectives because we embrace less than acceptable objectives’.
I think you do raise some important points though. If the netris’ command over the party bases are strong, then what should the parties do when the ban on politics is lifted? Should they campaign on the platform of ‘netri mukti’ and try win the next election? In the 1990s, Jatiya Party tried this strategy, and Ershad went from a pariah dictator to kingmaker. Or should they boycott the election because the playing fields won’t be level? In the 1980s, BNP tried this, resulting in the rise of Khaleda.
September 5th, 2007 at 6:05 am
Borosha # 50,
I try not to hurt people as I know and believe the quote “Manusher Mone Deona Aghaat she Agaat Kabaar Ghore.” I feel bad when I say speak bad of Hasina because it might be the cause of pain for thousands of core Hasina cadres. I try not to be very bitter to Hasina fans.
I don’t see iota of human attributes in Hasina. I know talking bad or backbiting about an individual is seen. But the more a person is a celebrity, the more he or she loses the right to remain private. All the celebrities become public entities.
Sheik Mujib, Ziaur Rahman, Hasina, Khalida so on are no longer private individuals. We have the right to critcize them. If someone reads Aamar Faashi Chai of Motiur rahman Rentu he can have some idea of Hasina. Even if the fraction of whatever said in there
is true Hasina is bad person. She has no quality to be a leader or be admired but her big Kopal that is, she is the daughter Of Sheik Mujib.
With over all judgement I can’t appreciate the leadership of Sheik Mujib. Given that, Sheik Mujib had many commendable qualities of leader and human. Had she something of her father, I could lend apprecation to her. If she is a sane person or leader, how could she have said, quote,” JE JAATI TAAR JAATIR PITAAKE HOTTA KORTE PARE TAADER KOPALE DHUUKHAY THAAKBE-NA THOE KI THAAKBE.”
How come! a prime minister can pass dirty vulgar sexually connotated comment on other prime minster, not once, scores of time. There is nothing shameful in this world
Hasina can’t do for her own good.
We know how she dragged once most honored justice Shahbuddin to be her president and
then she humiliated him when her party flunked.
This is the woman who once cursed Dr. Kamal Hussain as the neo-Mustak, the new traitor whereas Dr. Kamal brought her from India to become the president of AWL.
This i the woman who commented on Quader Siddiqui “CHAGOLE KI-NA KHAYE PAGOLE KINA BOLE” whereas Quader was only individual who protested the killing her family and self-exiled.
Hasina is the leader who introduced Laagatar Hrtal being trained from Noinetaal of India. She is the leader who instigated her cadres to kill ten of opponent should one of hers gets killed, otherwise to stay at home wearing bangles.
She is Hasina who didn’t hesitate to
kill people burning alive in bus.
It’s her inhuman illogical logi-boitha movement that killed about a dozen and desacreted the dead bodies in histrical ignominable way.
Our unfortunate nation witnessed first coup due to the colossal mistake of Hasina’s father. And the third [hopefully the last]coup was the result of Hasina’s mischief] and what she most shamelessly bragged about.
KZ is just not hundred times better, rather Hasina has nothing any good to be compared with Khaleda.
September 5th, 2007 at 7:32 am
Bitterboy,
Almost everything you said about Hasina is true unfortunately.
Even worse for you (and your “mother”) is that almost the same can be said about her. Let’s not forget that it was the same KZ who was ready to strike deals with Ershad. If you blame SH for maligning Quader Siddiky, then what do you say to TZ embracing Ershad with KZ’s blessings?
September 5th, 2007 at 9:35 am
“Backbiting is not allowed except where the individual is a celebrity. Than Allah says it’s ok”
“Can I substantiate the authenticity of what I say of another? - Why should that matter. It sounds like the truth to me”
September 5th, 2007 at 11:05 am
Borsha (post no 50):’When Coco went to Bangkok with his friend, BD ambassador there refused to give his friends VIP teatment, Coco complained to his mother and she removed the ambassador from his position immediately’.
Correction: It was actually the Bangladeshi Consul General in Hong Kong, not the Ambassador in Bangkok.
The Consul General actually did not ‘refuse’ to give VIP treatment to the friends of Prince Coco (no govt. officer could do that during that regime), he simply did not receive the fax message regarding the visit of His Majesty’s entourage. That justifiably angered bitterboy’s mother, and as such the beyadob Consul General was kicked out of his post!
September 5th, 2007 at 11:54 am
A Decent Proposal:
Not sure if this is the right forum to post. During latest drive against corruption, it seems 90% of Bangladeshi population are either corrupt or working against the country (or, anti-govt)!
Current CTG/MBG taking bold steps to counter/remedy the situation by arresting those people. Soon there won’t be enough space. So, here is what the govt (CTG/MBG/National Govt) should do:
1. Mandatory military training for youths and serve in the armed forces for at least two years. Though, this is not new in western countries, it is a new concept in Bangladesh.
2. Turn one in every five residential place throughout the country as a sub-jail. This step will help to solve the imminent problem.
3. Hire a new advisor for Jail ministry to look after the detainees.
4. Expand army to restore law and order situation. “Bloody Civilians” are no good. If all person between the ages of 20-35 can be hired in the BD Army, problem of corruption and unemployment can be eliminated.
5. All political party or activity should be banned.
September 5th, 2007 at 3:24 pm
Khilji (49): ‘But to this day, sometimes I regret, maybe I should have sacrificed my personal taste and may be I could be a good friend, confidant and guide for him (Tareq Zia)’.
Oh, Khilji, why didn’t you accept TZ as your frined? If you did that you’d have been TZ’s friend, philosopher and guide instead of Mamun, you could’ve saved TZ, Coco, KZ and even BNP from their downfall…
That reminds me Bejamin Disraeli. He was asked to define the difference between misfortune and calamity. He replied: “If Gladstone fell into the Thames, that would be a misfortune; and if anybody pulled him out, that I suppose would be a calamity.”
September 5th, 2007 at 6:22 pm
Well well well…
Seems like the jury just came in. And the verdict is “lack of confidence” and “fear”. Didn’t hear much about any sort of “conspiracy”!
http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=2844
I think CTG supporters who cry out “conspiracy” at every wrong turn and label any criticism of their performance as “anti-state” or ignorant since critics don’t have “privileged information” better start explaining themselves. An apology or two wouldn’t go amiss.
September 5th, 2007 at 7:34 pm
# 59 Bitterboy
Thanks for telling us about Hasina and all her misdeeds. I thought that you would come up with some answers related to the the points I mentioned about Khaleda in my previous pos(#50).
Hasina is a bad leader , that does not make khaleda a great leader.
Khaleda is also responsible for killing people.
During her first tenure, poor farmers were killed when they were holding a procession demanding fertilizer. during her second tenure, Sony, a buet student was killed in BUET campus
when her caders Muki(from BUET) and Togor(from DU) were fighting over tenderbazi.
Khaleda’s men created Bangla Bhai to confront “shorbohara” and terrorized the nation.
Khaleda Zia celebrates her birthday in a grand fashion on 15th August, though actually she was not born on that day.She started to do so after awami league Govt declared 15th August as national Mourning Day.Is this how a great leader shows respect to another great leader?
She is responsible for distorting our history.
Sheikh Mujib committed many mistakes as a ruler.
But no one can deny Shiekh Mujib’s role in our
freedom movement.You cannot tell our history without mentioning his name.We became independent under the leadership of awami league.During Khaleda’s tenure, national media
used to tell us a different version of our liberation war where Mujib or awami league do not have any place.
Khaleda became the prime minister right after Ershad’s fall. It was a new starting point for us. She could have started a new culture in our politics, she could have appointed VC’s in Universities who do not have any allegiance to any party, she could have asked “chattrodal” leaders to refrain from chadabazi and tenderbazi, but she did not do it.If she could have avoided the “doliyokoron” of all Govt institutes, I would appreciate her and call her a great leader.
I understand that you respect khaleda Zia like your mother. However, for people whose family members were killed by Pak army and Razakars, , Khaleda Zia is someone who rehabilitated those war criminals.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:28 pm
#66
The problem with us is that we make comment without knowing the facts in detail. Please get the facts before portray someone “Sadhu” or “Saitan.”
September 5th, 2007 at 9:50 pm
#67 Jodi Kichu Mone Na Koren,
Please correct me If I have twisted the fact or let me know the “facts” that I do not know.
I am not trying to portray someone as “sadhu” or
“saitan”, I just gave my thoughts on why I think Khaleda Zia is not a great leader and I am interested to know why other people think that she is a great leader!!
September 5th, 2007 at 11:13 pm
60 htb: I note your sarcasm, but what you say could be true, we would never know what could have been. History is full of oddities:
- death of Ogedei Khan in 1241, son of Chiggis Khan, saved Western Civilization from total annihilation. After killing 50,000 Teutonic Knights of King Bela of Hungary, Mongol cavalry of 300,000 horsemen were waiting in Buda and Pest (persent day Hungary) and getting ready to attack the rest of Europe. At the news of Ogedei’s death, the army went back never to return, this is one of reasons stated as the most responsible for the rise of Renaissance Europe and its subsequent planetary domination, since their region were one of the few contemporary empires or world powers that remained unaffected by the Mongol onslaught, whereas China, Muslim Khorezm Shahi and Abbasi Khilafat were devastated. Although 3 of the 4 mongol Khanates accepted Islam (the 4th one is Yuan China), the religion of their turkic soldiers and subjects, the glory days of pre-mongol Islamic High civilization in Central and Western Asia were never to return. Many escaped and did find a sanctuary in Delhi Sultanate, where the Khilji’s repulsed several large Mongol cavalries
- death of Amir Timur:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timur
“By 1368, the Ming had driven the Mongols out of China. The first Ming Emperor Hongwu demanded, and received, homage from many Central Asian states paid to China as the political heirs to the former House of Kublai. Timur more than once sent to the Ming Government gifts that could have passed as tribute, at first not daring to defy the economic and military might of the Middle Kingdom.
Timur wished to restore the Mongol Empire, and eventually planned to conquer China. Mongol khan Enkh sent his grandson Ulzitumur, also known as “Buyanshir.” Timur made alliance with Mongols and prepared all the way to Bukhara. In December 1404, Timur started military expeditions against the Ming Dynasty, but he was attacked by fever and plague when encamped on the farther side of the Sihon (Syr-Daria) and died at Atrar (Otrar) in mid-February 1405.[2] His scouts explored Mongolia before his death, and the writing they carved on trees in Mongolia’s mountains could still be seen even in the 20th century.”
History is made by individuals, sometimes well known, sometimes hidden.
September 6th, 2007 at 12:08 am
Correction to post 69 above: Chiggis is a typo, it should be Chinggis.
Also, a few interesting factoids:
15% of Central Asian population carry genes from one male who lived in the early 1200’s.
Almost 50% of Russians carry mongol genes and are habitual drunkards because of it.
http://moderntribalist.blogspot.com/2005/11/russian-alcoholism-and-mongoloid-gene.html
Todays Russia, China and India were unified at the expense of a lot of blood shed by Chinggis Khan’s descendants. Unity is not natural for the human animal, but in the end it can be beneficial as large units can have advantages against small ones. But best of all is to be left alone, like Japan and Western Europe, where societies had time and space to evolve undisturbed and become efficient performers with good internal cohesion between internal parts. This is the essence of my own “historical continuity hypothesis/theory”.
It can be used for so many situations: removal of Saddam was ok, but removal of Bath Party and the Iraqi Army was a disaster, so the US, Bush, neocons, all must suffer the consequence of going against an elemental law.
September 6th, 2007 at 1:01 am
I ask the adherents of both Khaleda Zia as well as Sheikh Hasina, if there ever was time to stop launching ad-hominem attacks on the political “other”, now would be the time. Supporters of the current CTG take great glee in pointing out how it is the refusal of these two ladies and their followers to compromise that made this CTG possible in the first place. Let’s not exaceberate this situation any further.
September 6th, 2007 at 2:17 am
After readying all the comments, it seems to me that few people do enjoy puting gas on the fire as long as Bangladesh is concern.
Those pessimistic people could not come with any soultion, but were able to increase the tension among people for no reason. I even do not see any their personal achievement either by playing with fire.
–M. M. Chowdhury (Mithu)
September 6th, 2007 at 2:55 am
# 71,
Let me get this clear. According to you:
1) Arresting people for a conspiracy you cannot prove or know anything about = good for Bangladesh.
2) Saying that arresting people will make inflation worse and advising against it = putting gas on the fire.
Apparently the CTG agrees with me, but then surely you know that having read all the comments and finding my link above. I suggest you go back to Bangladesh and stop them from “playing with fire”.
September 6th, 2007 at 4:58 am
Tacit,
I’m no supporter of the regime. But I also think “it is the refusal of these two ladies and their followers to compromise that made this CTG possible in the first place”. Even if there were conspiracies, and there may have been, if the two ladies compromised even in December, we wouldn’t be where we are today.
Next year, when one of these leaders is released because ‘ain nijer goti te choleche’, some of her supporters will hail her as a people’s hero and the other one as the vilest mother of all corruption. At the same time, the supporter of the jailed netri will say that their leader is the true hero of the resistance against this dictatorship, and the other one is the traitor who sold out.
I agree with you that “if there ever was time to stop launching ad-hominem attacks on the political “other”, now would be the time.” Unfortunately, I’m not sure this is likely to happen any time soon.
September 6th, 2007 at 5:10 am
Boroshsa # 66
I know when I talk the truth, it will taste too bitter to our people and they will get hurt as most lettered people from top to bottom are liars. That’s why sarcastically I took the bitterboy pseudonymp. I love loyalty to Lord and honesty with people. I loathe lying and hate hypocrisy.
I wonder, how the country survives and thrives with the liars and thieves occupying all the powerful swing chairs. We are a ill-bred nation and have profound proclivity to immorality, lying and corruption and compromising to social-ills. I’ll give examples of lying and dishonesty by two men of very very high stature.
Sheik Mujib lied to the nation and defrauded with people to agrandize his role in liberation war. When I try to stress on and prove it people brush away saying all politicians do the same and no one do politics without lying. So, if politics is the profession of lond-headed liars how can we expect those liars and dishonest cohort will serve the people honestly and sincerely! Are we not bunch of losers!
Okay, forget the lampoonic politicians, one late judge who was the cheif justice of supreme court and president of the country for almost two years as a big benefactor of mine once advised me to get a house in Dhaka city by any means, honest or dishonest. And not my well-wisher deceased judge was the onlly a crooked one, so are all judges. If not, how the pannel of judges passed the verdict on Sheik Mujib murder case saying 15th august event of 1975 was mere a isolated ruthless criminality by a deralied junior army gangster and denied the event as coup. Whereas in the other so called land-mark verdict another pannel recognized all the events were coups and all the post-cuop governments including that of August 1975 as illegal. Everybody in the world know that was a coup. And even the same crooked judges who in the court denied the event as coup, while outside the court they always term the event as coup and opines 15th August 1975 brought a political upheaval in the country. They are none but liars, crooked and corrupt. We see the dramas in court, one corrupt reads the verdict against the other. All but travesty of justice!
Borosha, if the founding father or judges including cheif justice can lie, who the heck, Khaleda Zia’s PS is an honest guy, not a liar. Borosha, If the same person would tell good about KZ and bad about SH, you wouldn’t have refer to him, rather would have commented gosh! he is KZ’s PS and Sheer liar as you don’t like her. When we see something in favor our esteemed belief, then even our enemy is honest,nd if not in favor, the friends are foes and liar.
[edited for foul language]
Through winning noble peace prize DMY glorified the whole nation but we note how meanest way this evil SH disgraced him cursing him as SHOODKHUR.
That’s why even many of her party men opined that Hasina’s tongue is poisonous, a big problem for AWL. And that’s why Shafique Rahman once said,” When Hasina talks it’s like, her mouth gushes all the dirt and scums of drains.”
Hasina is not only the liablity for Sheik family but also is a liabilty and disgrace to the entire nation.
Thanks.
September 6th, 2007 at 9:14 am
You say Hasina’s mouth is dirty but all I’m reading is how your mouth is capable of matching this dirt quid pro quo and then you try to wrap yourself up in a bubble of self-professed piety and good virtue.
September 6th, 2007 at 4:51 pm
Dear Admin,
It’s utterly unfair or injustice to me because you deleted part of my post # 75 [AAJ JE MAAJAR ZEARATER JONNAYE SAARC NETAADER NIYE JAOYA HOYECHILO SHEY KOBOREY ZIA-R LAAS AASE NA SHEAL-KUTTA AACHE KE JAANE] as it was foul to your judgement. The part you took off was not of mine. It was a quote of great Shiek Hasina.
So other bloggers who’ll read my that post, as they can see part of it deleted as foul, they’d hold a bad impression that I’m a foul-penner or foul-mouthed guy. And as Ayon # ,76 already blamed me as such.
Kadombini Moria Proman Korilo Je Shey Morey Nai. Likewise, here, dear admin proved that his sense of offensive/foulness/vulgarity is far better than Sheik Hasina.
I loudly appreciate your sense of foulness.
Thanks.
September 6th, 2007 at 5:13 pm
Bitterboy (76): ‘We are a ill-bred nation and have profound proclivity to immorality, lying and corruption and compromising to social-ills’.
Thanks for admitting what you are. No wonder you consider KZ your mother!
September 6th, 2007 at 5:55 pm
#75 Bitterboy,
Thanks for the clarification, I did not know that SHiekh Mujib is a liar, Khaleda Zia’s PS is a liar and most of the educated people of Bangladesh are liars.If you can put some light on the lies told by Shiekh Mujib about liberation war, it would be very helpful.
I asked about Khaleda Zia, you again came up with Shiekh Hasina, Hasina is not a great leader,we all know that. I want to know what makes you believe that khaleda Zia is a great leader.She got the opportunity to become the prime minister for 2 terms. Please give me some examples or major decisions by her that really helped Bangladesh to move forward.
My comments about 15th February election, Bangla Bhai ,BUET student Sony and about supporting Razakars, do you think these are lies too?
As you mentioned, I want to believe Khaleda’s PS because he speaks against Khaleda Zia, can I apply the same theory for you? You want to believe Motiur rahman Rentu because he speaks against Hasina!!
September 7th, 2007 at 6:47 am
Track Record of BNP:
The BNP-Jamate Islami combine came to power in 2001. Since coming to power there has been some alarming trends.
* Alarming rise of Islamic extremism
* Human rights abuse
The Hindu and Christian minority under attack: they are traditionally seen as vote bank for the secularist forces
o Ahmediyas, a Muslim sect, are under attack. Islamist sectarians are calling for them to be declared officially as non Muslims. The publication of their books is being banned.
o Although there is press freedom in the national and electronic media, journalists nonetheless face serious repercussions from the Government when reporting from rural areas. The Committee to Protect Journalists has named Bangladesh as the most dangerous place for journalists after Iraq.
o The largest private terrestrial network Ekushey TV was shut down — showing technical irregularities.
o Wiretapping
o Extra judicial killing
* Progressive, secular NGOs funds are being blocked – whilst 800 new Islamic NGOs were given permission. All this without much monitoring of transfer of funds.
* Rise of Extremism and suicide bombing. At least 3 leading members of the Awami League and numerous progressive intellectuals have been murdered by the extremists.
* Politicization of the administration resulting in Islamisation and in long term damage to the impartiality of the institutions of State
* Massive corruption and serious breakdown of public service sectors
Election Predictions for 22/1:
In the past three elections, Bangladesh has not re-elected the incumbent government. Once again, independent polls by leading newspapers have shown that the popularity of the ruling BNP-Jamat coalition has gone down seriously because of corruption, failure to provide basic services such as power and water and serious price inflation. A former BNP pollster known for his polling prowess after predicting the 2001 results to perfection, has forecast a likely two-third majority for the Awami League– in a fair election. However, there are serious and credible allegations that votes will be rigged to give the victory to the BNP led Islamic alliance.
Election Engineering Allegations:
In the past three elections, Bangladesh has successfully gone to the polls under a non party caretaker government. However, this time, the process has come under serious questions.
* Massive politicization of the administration.
o Civil servant backed government officials have been on high speed track to promotions allegedly to influence election mechanisms. Promotions that take normally 10-12 years are being given to the people who back the government in 1-2 years
o Workers from the student wing of the BNP have been inducted in the police force throughout the country. The normal three year training program has been cut short to 18 months so that they are in charge during the election in January 2007.
o The Constitution has been amended to raise the retirement age of the justices without any discussion in the parliament. As the last retired chief justice from Supreme Court becomes the head of caretaker government, this change paved the way for a BNP favoured justice to be the caretaker chief adviser.
* Election Commission and Voter List
o The four Election Commissioners have been accused by elements of civil society, the press and the Opposition of bias for the BNP
o The Election Commission’s approach was highlighted by a failed attempt to recreate the voter list.
Instead of updating an existing list, they decided to create a new voter list. The list was flawed and had about 115 million unaccounted for voters when compared with the previous census data.
o Supreme Court intervened and said creating the list was invalid.
o The list was then updated amid serious allegations of incompetence and irregularities. the new voter list showed even more unaccounted voters (140 million). National Democratic Institute (NDI) of the USA under former U.S.Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle reported:
“A voters’ list containing two thirds of the population strains credibility”. NDI further stated that if no corrective measures are taken by the commission to fix the list, then the election will not credible.The European Union also passed a bill asking for reconstitution of the commission.
Caretaker Government:
* Caretaker Advisory council which is currently in power for three months to hold election is alleged to be biased towards BNP and accused of not making changes to depoliticize the administration to create a level playing field as its headed by a BNP men.
* Although it is supposed to be headed by non partisan chief justice, it is currently being headed by the President appointed by BNP. The president appointed himself as the chief adviser to the caretaker government arguably violating the constitution.
* Although the interim advisory council has agreed in principle to repair the voter list and has reconstituted the Election Commission, the unwillingness by the chief advisor to take any meaningful decisions has had the effect of reinforcing the highly unsatisfactory status quo on the Election Commission. A recent report from Bangladesh Economist Association reported the following (Nov 22nd):
o 1107 government officials who are directly involved with the election process and critical to having a free and fair election are mostly partisan BNP members. Election commissioners, UNOs are people who manage the election process and vote counting locally.
o Out of nine deputy election commissioners at least five were selected by BNP
+ 83 district election commissioners of which majority are partisan towards BNP
+ Out of 450 Upajila Nirbahi officers(UNO), 324 are BNP appointees of which 25% have criminal cases against them.
+ The key election related ministries are still headed by political appointees from BNP.
They reported as saying, “When wrong decisions are taken consciously and delays in taking decision that reflects the people will become the norm, there is reason to believe that there is conspiracy behind it”.
* The rest of the 10 Advisers (who are deemed non partisan) and the chief adviser are routinely out of sync. They are alleging that the president is taking all the decision unilaterally without keeping the advisers counsel which he is bound to do by constitution.
* High level officials of the interim administration were recently caught on camera meeting with the BNP leaders at a secret meeting where they allegedly discussed elections. Again, at minimum, this undermines the perception of impartiality.