Drishtipat Blog

Famous documentary filmmaker from the left John Pilger writes on Moudud Ahmed.

“There are striking similarities between Moudud’s case and that of the Malaysian opposition leader, Anwar Ibrahim, who this week all but overturned the old, autocratic regime. Both were framed in order to silence them. The difference is that Anwar Ibrahim’s case became an international cause celebre, whereas there is only silence for Moudud Ahmed, locked in his cell, ill, without charge or trial.”

That the charges against Moudud about possessing alcohol is ridiculous, no doubt. Surely he deserves due process and proper court verdict. But the way Pilger has portrayed him in this piece as a national hero is quite laughable.

I wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry after reading this write up. Cry because i had such high respect for Pilger and how he let me down and laugh because when you think of defenders of democracy or people power in Bangladeshi context, Moudud is the last person that comes to mind. Of course, let the man give his due rights and process, but please don’t tell me he is the champion of democracy in Bangladesh. Rather he is the symbol of what has been wrong with Bangladeshi politics — immoral, “nitihin rajneeti”. Moudud Ahmed, is one singular politician who has the distinguished record of serving under all governments under different parties. Translation: he is a shameless political chameleon who has not winked one bit in changing parties and supporting dictators and autocrats under different times to get political benefit. I wish John Pilger did his own due dilligence first rather than just depending on Moudud Ahmed’s wife’s testimonial about him.

I spoke to journalist Afsan Chowdhury about this and here is what he had to say.

Moudud bhai always had a loyal bunch of friends abroad.They have stood by him from 1973 onwards after his first arrest by Sk. Mujib. It goes back to his work in the UK before and during 1971 for the cause. He was the unofficial post-master general of the Mujibnagar government which again is another story.

Pilger is an old friend and Moudud bhai has again taken advantage of that as he will in future. Kuldip Nayar once did a full page when he arrested by Ershad. I recall a rather funny story involving Prof. Rottormund of Heidelberg University, his mentor.

He came down to Bangladesh after making the President of W. Germany call Ershad and ask that Moudud be released. He even arrived in Dhaka to plead his case only to find out that not only had his student been released but was on his way to become a minister. Moudud bhai told him that he was a politician and as a politician he had no options but to be in politics. And without power there is no politics. Rottermund was very hurt and puzzled and never offered him a fellowship again. It was hilarious.

We go back to our civil liberty committee days and can tell him what i want. Once at a DS roundtable I made a lot of nasty remarks about politicians and law ministers and human rights. Hhe said, “I don’t understand why Afsan is accusing me personally for all that has happened. This was done by the governments.However SPA will have to stay and we need it to govern.” That law was applied to take him in this time.

Moudud bhai is completely amoral. And his foreign friends always lend him a hand. Personally charming and given his past totally insane in my opinion.

Indeed, very few people will disagree with this assessment except good old foreign friends who have been charmed by his offensive. Undoubtedly Moudud will be back in the limelight soon. His “skillset” will be badly needed for the upcoming Kings party.

Now as his wife is asking the “world to know” what’s going on in Bangladesh, here is what he said 3 years ago about our own awareness campaigns during abuse of rights while he was in power. Indeed, reports such as Pilger’s were actually defined as propaganda by him.

Govt to take action against propaganda thru’ internet
UNB, Dhaka
February 20, 2005

The government is going to take necessary steps to prevent ‘malicious’ propaganda against Bangladesh that blights image of the country at home and abroad.

“We’ve a lot of information that vested quarters, taking advantage of internet, are engaged in propaganda campaigns against the country, tarnishing the country’s image. And we’ll have to face it legally and politically,” said Moudud Ahmed, minister for law, justice and parliamentary affairs, yesterday. Without naming any party, he said those defeated in the 2001 general elections are now trying to “destroy the country’s image through malicious propaganda in a planned and motivated way”.

He cited a ‘mysterious’ circular issued by a New York-based organisation of expatriate Bangladeshis that urged all expats for sending protest letters to Bangladeshi missions abroad against ‘lawlessness’ in Bangladesh.

The organisation also prepared a “draft protest letter” and sent it to its members with a note of caution: “Don’t circulate this alert after Sunday, February 20, 2005.”

A policymaker of the ruling party indicated certain ‘mystery’ behind such note of caution. He said if they really want to mobilise opinion of the expatriates, they can express their observations regarding Bangladesh at any time — there is no need to create any bar fixing the date in the circular.

He said they have downloaded such cyber-propaganda from the internet.

Moudud said as the government’s positive activities are not being highlighted in the media accordingly, vested quarters are taking advantage of the technology to turn the tide in their favour.

He said the government is going to enact a cyber law so that the latest technology can be used in positive and effective way for development of the country.

“Despite ongoing propaganda, when any foreigner visits Bangladesh, they find contradiction between it and real scenario of the country,” the law minister added.

He urged all at home and abroad to refrain from “malicious propaganda”.

As for Pilger’s reputation. Well, he definitely lost a lot of fans in Bangladesh. Here are just a few reaction from Dhaka.

“For people who talk big about the rights of the poor and the marginalised to then pontificate from on high and on behalf of those
without any morals principles or minimum humanity beggars belief.”

Another one –

“It is with utter disbelief that I went through the article! I shed more than a tear as I read each incredulous line - tears because one more idol turns out to have feet of clay. I’ve been a follower of sorts of John Pilger since a very young age, I think starting from his “Palestine is Still the Issue Campaign” over 25 years ago. To see him stoop to such sensationalism and clouded journalism is really unacceptable …. painful.”

May be because he has lost his pair of glasses or may be he is getting old. Nothing else can explain this type of delusional writing. Has anyone seen his glasses?