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Misusing the past

BanglaBhoot

RETIRED TTA
Apr 8, 2007
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WHY isn’t there more cheering in Bangladesh as the country gets ready to mark 40 years of independence? So far there have been few efforts to rouse the masses, though the government did confer a posthumous prize last week on Indira Gandhi, as a way of crediting India for helping create Bangladesh in 1971. Ties between the neighbours are warming, with India’s home minister, Palaniappan Chidambaram, just in Dhaka to sign a new deal that is supposed to bring an end to killings along their long, shared border. But there is little evidence yet of ordinary Bangladeshis rushing to celebrate. Perhaps this is in part a reaction to official efforts to commandeer the nation’s history for fleeting political goals.

Bangladesh’s birth—the secession of the eastern part of Pakistan from the western bit—was painful and bloody. No one is sure how many people died: the total was perhaps in the hundreds of thousands, though the wildest estimates talk of millions of deaths and of attempted genocide on the part of Pakistan. In March 1971 Pakistan’s army (dominated by soldiers from the western part of the country) and their Bengali allies did carry out massacres in a brutal effort to quell the secession. That failed, provoking a more intense push for the break-up, floods of refugees and finally military intervention by India. By December 1971 Pakistan’s forces were defeated.

In the process however, there were many more massacres, retaliatory killings and a host of other forms of score-settling, such as between Bengalis and “Biharis”, non-Bengali Muslims who had moved to the territory during India’s partition in 1947. Pakistani forces were responsible for a host of horrors, such as a massacre of intellectuals in Dhaka very late on. But as a correspondent of The Economist pointed out on December 25th 1971: “It is often forgotten that the bloodshed in the spring was not all one-sided, and that the east Bengalis killed thousands of non-Bengalis.” After the war, as Bangladesh struggled to come to terms with its new existence, little effort was made to account for who did what.

Now, however, some efforts are under way to reassess that history. The official effort, directed by the current government of Sheikh Hasina, is to start a process of war-crimes trials. The first of these is supposed to get under way in the next few weeks. In theory this is welcome, and could indeed bring wrongdoers to account, even four decades on. In practice, there are strong reasons to doubt the process. These trials are to investigate only seven individuals (so far), seven who sympathised with the idea of a united Pakistan, but who deny any criminal wrongdoing. The facts that they happen to be leading members of the opposition today, and that the government has taken little advice from human-rights groups or international war-crimes bodies, cast doubt on the purpose of the prosecution. Nor is it reassuring that Bangladesh’s judiciary looks increasingly politicised.

The trials also happen to come amid efforts by Mrs Hasina’s government to claim more powers by amending the constitution, which will revert to a version which the country had instituted shortly after independence. Apart from some outdated promises (a devotion to Socialism with a capital S) and apparently inconsistent ones (all religions are to be treated equally—though Islam is the state religion—while the state is also secular), the resurrected constitution will make it easier for Mrs Hasina’s party to control the running of the next general election in 2013. On top of that, it encourages a personality cult around the figure of Bangladesh’s murdered independence leader, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Mrs Hasina’s father. Now the late Sheikh Mujibur is to be hailed as the father of the nation, and his portrait must be put up in every office or business. It all smells of emerging autocracy.

Beyond the government, too, there is evident touchiness over unofficial attempts to reassess what happened at independence. For example a new book by an Oxford scholar, Sarmila Bose, has drawn vitriolic scorn by reviewers and historians of Bangladesh. “ Dead Reckoning: Memories of the 1971 Bangladesh war” is an effort by an Indian former journalist to interview Bangladeshis and Pakistanis who took part in, or were victims of, atrocities during the war. Her book is indeed flawed: it rushes to sweeping judgments and fails to offer much context for the snippets of interviews she presents. For its failings, the book deserves sharp criticism. Yet Ms Bose also does something rather admirable in raising difficult questions about the numbers of people who actually died in 1971, casting doubt on the official tally of 3m or so. And she speaks to perpetrators and victims on different sides, recording their testimony. In the process she provides a reminder that it is not for governments alone to write any country’s history.

Bangladesh looks back: Misusing the past | The Economist
 
Dhaka will respond to canard: FM

Dhaka, Aug 3 (bdnews24.com)
– Foreign minister has pooh-poohed the report on Bangladesh published in London-based The Economist, terming it 'baseless and a pack of lies'.

The Economist in its latest edition in the report titled 'India and Bangladesh: Embraceable You' narrated the growing geopolitical interests of India that force the country to seek better relations closer home.

"We will send a rejoinder probably tomorrow (Thursday)," Dipu Moni told the bdnews24.com on Wednesday afternoon.

"The report is disgraceful for an internationally reputed publication like The Economist," said an angry minister.

The publication has undermined the friendly relationship between Bangladesh and India, transparent trial process of the International Crimes Tribunal, and free and fair election held in 2008.

"It seems to me there is a smear campaign going against Bangladesh."

The report says, "Not much noticed by outsiders, long-troubled ties between two neighbours sharing a long border have taken a substantial lurch for the better. Ever since 2008, when the Awami League, helped by bags of Indian cash and advice, triumphed in general elections in Bangladesh, relations with India have blossomed."

GOVT BINS REPORT

The report is not only rejected by the government but also by the people of Bangladesh, Dipu felt.

"People know that the Awami League did not win the election as it got money or advice from any country, rather the people elected to form the government," she said adding, "They elected the government."

A vested quarter is trying to protect the killers of 1971, 1975 and August 2004 grenade attack, and those who patronised terrorism and militancy in the country, she asserted.

"The magazine is acting as mouthpiece of the perpetrators and published several reports one after the other," she asserted.

CAMPAIGN AGAINST BANGLADESH

The minister said they (The Economist) seem to be engaging in a campaign against Bangladesh and the government.
Citing an earlier report, she said they opposed the war crimes trial.

"If we add up all of this, it seems they are campaigning against Bangladesh and its government," she said.

Dipu stressed the government is trying war criminals with cooperation and advice from everybody.

"It is the demand of the whole nation and we are holding the trial after 40 years of independence," she added.

HUMILIATING FOR THE NATION

The minister said The Economist has humiliated the entire nation by making derogatory comments on the free and fair election of 2008.
"People elected us through a free and fair election…but the way the report described the election is humiliating for the whole nation," she said.
"It is not acceptable when a paper like The Economist made tries to undermine a democratically elected government of a country," she added.
She did not rule out a vested quarter behind the 'Smear Bangladesh' campaign.

TRANSIT FACILITY

The minister lamented that the writer of the report has no knowledge about international practices on transit.

"Whoever wrote the article has no idea about (international practice of) transit," she said.

The report said, "Some in Dhaka, including military types, suspect it is intended to create an Indian security corridor."

"Before signing the transit agreement, we will indeed take into account the security aspect," she said.

The minister said, "When there was no transit agreement, 10 truck-loads of arms were hauled.

"Those who are now talking about security issues are actually trying to protect the culprits of 10-truck arms case."

CORRUPTION CHARGE

The foreign minister said even the military-backed caretaker government did not find any corruption-related allegation against Sheikh Hasina.
The report said, "She (Sheikh Hasina) would then be replaced by her Nemesis, Khaleda Zia, of the opposition BNP. Mrs Zia's family dynasty, also corrupt, is as against India as Sheikh Hasina's is for it."

The report used words 'also corrupt' but there is no comparison between Hasina and Khaleda, Dipu said.

"Leader of the opposition took money from the exchequer to educate her children but neither of the two sons could get even a 'minimum degree'," she said.

They are engaged in all sorts of corruption and it is proven not only locally but also internationally, she contended.

"The court has given verdict in a money laundering case (against Coco) and the proceedings of other cases are ongoing."

Comparing the two families, Dipu said the two children of Hasina are well educated without taking any money from the state.

"Children of the prime minister are not only highly educated but also established in their profession," she said adding, "They are working for the country without asking for any return."

The prime minister's son is helping the government in building 'Digital Bangladesh' with his knowledge, while the daughter organised an international seminar on autism in Bangladesh.

"The autism conference has exalted the image of Bangladesh internationally," she said.

The only similarity between the families is that their mothers have held the post of the prime minister of the country.

"I don't like to criticise others, but when magazines like The Economist publish such a report, I can't help it."


Dhaka will respond to canard: FM | Bangladesh | bdnews24.com
 
Dhaka will respond to canard: FM

Dhaka, Aug 3 (bdnews24.com)
– Foreign minister has pooh-poohed the report on Bangladesh published in London-based The Economist, terming it 'baseless and a pack of lies'.

The Economist in its latest edition in the report titled 'India and Bangladesh: Embraceable You' narrated the growing geopolitical interests of India that force the country to seek better relations closer home.

"We will send a rejoinder probably tomorrow (Thursday)," Dipu Moni told the bdnews24.com on Wednesday afternoon.

"The report is disgraceful for an internationally reputed publication like The Economist," said an angry minister.

The publication has undermined the friendly relationship between Bangladesh and India, transparent trial process of the International Crimes Tribunal, and free and fair election held in 2008.

"It seems to me there is a smear campaign going against Bangladesh."

The report says, "Not much noticed by outsiders, long-troubled ties between two neighbours sharing a long border have taken a substantial lurch for the better. Ever since 2008, when the Awami League, helped by bags of Indian cash and advice, triumphed in general elections in Bangladesh, relations with India have blossomed."

GOVT BINS REPORT

The report is not only rejected by the government but also by the people of Bangladesh, Dipu felt.

"People know that the Awami League did not win the election as it got money or advice from any country, rather the people elected to form the government," she said adding, "They elected the government."

A vested quarter is trying to protect the killers of 1971, 1975 and August 2004 grenade attack, and those who patronised terrorism and militancy in the country, she asserted.

"The magazine is acting as mouthpiece of the perpetrators and published several reports one after the other," she asserted.

CAMPAIGN AGAINST BANGLADESH

The minister said they (The Economist) seem to be engaging in a campaign against Bangladesh and the government.
Citing an earlier report, she said they opposed the war crimes trial.

"If we add up all of this, it seems they are campaigning against Bangladesh and its government," she said.

Dipu stressed the government is trying war criminals with cooperation and advice from everybody.

"It is the demand of the whole nation and we are holding the trial after 40 years of independence," she added.

HUMILIATING FOR THE NATION

The minister said The Economist has humiliated the entire nation by making derogatory comments on the free and fair election of 2008.
"People elected us through a free and fair election…but the way the report described the election is humiliating for the whole nation," she said.
"It is not acceptable when a paper like The Economist made tries to undermine a democratically elected government of a country," she added.
She did not rule out a vested quarter behind the 'Smear Bangladesh' campaign.

TRANSIT FACILITY

The minister lamented that the writer of the report has no knowledge about international practices on transit.

"Whoever wrote the article has no idea about (international practice of) transit," she said.

The report said, "Some in Dhaka, including military types, suspect it is intended to create an Indian security corridor."

"Before signing the transit agreement, we will indeed take into account the security aspect," she said.

The minister said, "When there was no transit agreement, 10 truck-loads of arms were hauled.

"Those who are now talking about security issues are actually trying to protect the culprits of 10-truck arms case."

CORRUPTION CHARGE

The foreign minister said even the military-backed caretaker government did not find any corruption-related allegation against Sheikh Hasina.
The report said, "She (Sheikh Hasina) would then be replaced by her Nemesis, Khaleda Zia, of the opposition BNP. Mrs Zia's family dynasty, also corrupt, is as against India as Sheikh Hasina's is for it."

The report used words 'also corrupt' but there is no comparison between Hasina and Khaleda, Dipu said.

"Leader of the opposition took money from the exchequer to educate her children but neither of the two sons could get even a 'minimum degree'," she said.

They are engaged in all sorts of corruption and it is proven not only locally but also internationally, she contended.

"The court has given verdict in a money laundering case (against Coco) and the proceedings of other cases are ongoing."

Comparing the two families, Dipu said the two children of Hasina are well educated without taking any money from the state.

"Children of the prime minister are not only highly educated but also established in their profession," she said adding, "They are working for the country without asking for any return."

The prime minister's son is helping the government in building 'Digital Bangladesh' with his knowledge, while the daughter organised an international seminar on autism in Bangladesh.

"The autism conference has exalted the image of Bangladesh internationally," she said.

The only similarity between the families is that their mothers have held the post of the prime minister of the country.

"I don't like to criticise others, but when magazines like The Economist publish such a report, I can't help it."


Dhaka will respond to canard: FM | Bangladesh | bdnews24.com

idiots.jpg
 
Heard of Fai and ISI funding?

Clever, what?

:lol:

At least you can't accuse The Economist of being funded by the ISI. It is unusual for The Economist to carry two articles on Bangladesh within such a short time. Both articles are very damaging for the AL.
 
At least you can't accuse The Economist of being funded by the ISI. It is unusual for The Economist to carry two articles on Bangladesh within such a short time. Both articles are very damaging for the AL.

Its a blog for gods sake. We don't take those things seriously. And we all know Economist is very anti-india. So no point discussing it.
 
Surprised that Indians have nothing to say!

Rejoice in your independence or cry because the date marks the end of your servitude to the Pakistani Punjabi/Pushtun ruling class. It is your country. Do what you will to it. How does it matter what we think? Jamaatis are all the same whether in Bangladesh or elsewhere.
 
every time i see these type of anti-india articles in Bangladesh Defence.I go :lazy:
have to give credit to the poster for his perseverence to find anti-india articles.:cheers:

but i have to say..
This section has more anti-india aricles than Bangladesh related articles.
Please rename this section to Anti-india defence. Or better move this as a sub-section to india defence.
 
every time i see these type of anti-india articles in Bangladesh Defence.I go :lazy:
have to give credit to the poster for his perseverence to find anti-india articles.:cheers:

but i have to say..
This section has more anti-india aricles than Bangladesh related articles.
Please rename this section to Anti-india defence. Or better move this as a sub-section to india defence.

How's the article anti-Indian?
 

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