Home >> South Asia >> India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal  Email  Print Question of the time Sunita Paul - 4/24/2008 Severe controversy is continuing in the small South Asian neighbor on the point of whether next general election, which the present military backed interim government is committed to hold by December 2008, could be held under State of Emergency. A large number of local and foreign experts have already expressed their opinion stating that election within State of Emergency is impossible. But, one man, like many of the lap dogs of the present interim government sees no problem in letting the next general election be held keeping the State of Emergency very much active. Why such stand against the wind? Answer is simple. He is the 'leader' (in fact proprietor) of a party with maximum 300 people named Gwano Shwatru (not the real name).
Bangladeshi authorities were already angry on the newly appointed ambassador of the United States in Bangladesh, James F. Moriarty who categorically demanded immediate lifting of the State of Emergency.
The new US ambassador to Dhaka urged Bangladesh's army-backed government to lift a state of emergency and underlined Washington's concern that democracy be reinstated by late 2008.
"An election will be extremely difficult under a state of emergency and it needs to be lifted," Ambassador James F. Moriarty told reporters.
The US viewed credible elections by the end of the year as "very, very important," he added.
"We do want a return to democracy and we do want that election to be held by the end of this year."
Bangladesh has been under emergency rule since January 2007 when elections were cancelled following months of political unrest over vote-rigging allegations against the outgoing ruling party.
The interim government took power the following day and has pledged to hold fresh polls after completing a massive corruption crackdown.
The anti-graft drive has seen scores of high-profile politicians arrested on corruption charges.
They include the two most recent prime ministers -- Sheikh Hasina Wajed of the Awami League and Khaleda Zia whose Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) led a coalition government until October 2006.
Moriarty also called on the government to address criticism of its human rights record.
"I will make this (human rights) a major issue. There has not been sufficient progress," he said.
Earlier this year, Human Rights Watch reported that security forces routinely tortured detainees and were beyond the control of the caretaker government.
A report by the New York-based group detailing the arbitrary arrest, detention and torture of journalist Tasneem Khalil said the government had failed to tackle the longstanding problem of state-sponsored violence.
It added that it was not acceptable for the government to claim the human rights situation was no worse than under previous governments.
Amnesty International in January accused the authorities of failing to protect human rights and to be accountable for its anti-graft campaign.
South Asian politics is always very muddy and nasty, so the politicians are. Today I shall write about rather a well-known individual, enjoying quite global projection for his brilliance as a profession. Of course, for obvious reason, I shall have to use alternative name of the person as well all the references, to be made in this write up. But, as always, I have confidence in my readers, and they will certainly be able to invent the real man behind the nick name.
Dr. Dalal, who is a loving jamaibabu (son in law) of a Pakistan aristocrat family, became a household name in Bangladesh during the war of liberation in 1971. His (Dalal's) in laws in Pakistan are by nature 'upstarts' and 'free thinkers' as far as religion is concerned. What stands for 'free thinker' in today's world? An atheist or a non believer? All the same, isn't it?
Dalal Hossain was living in Pakistan as a jaigir of the aristocrat family. During his stay, eldest daughter of the family got divorced from her husband, because of her non-family behavior. Later, Dalal was rather delighted to marry her in exchange of heavy amount of dowry.
Dr. Dalal's role during the war of independence of Bangladesh is extremely dubious. Many people saw him right in Dhaka even on the sad night of 25th March in 1971. But, right after arrest of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Dr. Dalal Hossain simply disappeared. It is rumored in Dhaka (in fact spread by some of the close people of Dr. Dalal) that he too was arrested. Such information is also available on a number of online information sites, including wikipedia. But, after an investigation into the matter, it was revealed that no one named Dr. Dalal Hossain (in fact his real name was searched) had ever been arrested by the Pakistani troops. Why? Because, Dr. Dalal's in-laws have extremely close relations with many influential officials with Pakistan army. After the independence of the country, Dr. Dalal came back to Dhaka with Bangabandhu with a broad smile on face, as if; he is the real hero of war of independence of the country. Many people now starting thinking that, this man was planted inside the government of Bangabandhu in order to ultimately sabotage his government. And, no doubt, conspirators could not find a better match than Dr. Dalal Hossain to be an wolf in sheep's skin.
It is also learnt from various confirmed sources that, the present military backed dictatorial regime in Dhaka were searching for a so-called heavyweight lawyer to give them the precise suggestions as to how screw up Bangladesh's constitution thus prolonging the tenure of this government for infinite period. And, they were successful in finding the right man for the right job. Dr. Dalal gave his opinion stating that the present government shall remain valid till holding of the next general election. And, no one except God will be able to reply as to when such election may take place. It is also learnt that, Dr. Dalal was heavily compensated for such nasty role.
Unfortunately, the present regime in Dhaka is surrounded by bunch of sycophants like Dr. Dalal. Due to wrong suggestion by these elements, the government is continuing to take series of wrong and devastating decisions, which may ultimately result in endless sufferings to the nation. The last decision came just Tuesday afternoon when Bangladeshi foreign ministry asked the country representative of United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Dhaka to leave the country in one week. This is clearly a case of expulsion of an UN official.
It may be mentioned here that a large number of Bangladeshi troops are in UN Peace Forces in a number of countries. Income from such job is not at all small for a comparatively poor country like Bangladesh. Many critics are saying that Dhaka was given instigations in taking the decision against the UNDP officials, in order to ultimately annoy United Nations. On the other hand, it may be very coincidental to recollect some of the past incidents in the world centering expulsion of UN officials. Iraq's former autocrat Saddam Hussein expelled one of the top officials from an UN organization just months before attack of allied forces. Dictator Noriega also did the same thing. Now, Bangladesh has done this. Did they at least consider the possible reaction from United Nations on such drastic action? On the other hand, understanding that the present regime in Dhaka are under strong influence of elements like Dr. Dalal Hossain, one may even raise a simple question – people like Dr. Dalal are working on whose assignment?
We do not want Bangladesh to be either isolated from the world or to face severe financial or otherwise constraint due to any unexpected reaction from the international agencies or communities. But for sure, Bangladeshi rulers are increasingly turning ignorant in understanding many of the elementary points in upholding the overall interest of the nation. Every nation has the right to be proud of their independence and sovereignty. So the Bangladeshis have. But, under the present unique type of government in Bangladesh with military's increasing role, how far Dhaka can sustain by flexing muscles to international community is a question of the time.
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