IMC India - Fascism on the rise in Bangladesh

Fascism on the rise in Bangladesh
By Ketuk 30/09/2002 At 06:05

Latest Fascist Development In Bangladesh: Public Gatherings Banned At Historic Central Shaheed Minar

Dhaka, Bangladesh: Since the October 1st fraudulent elections sanctioned by Jimmy Carter in Bangladesh, the Islamists and Semi-Islamist BNP have been turning Bangladesh into a fascist nation. Many have already fled the country to India and the lives of the rest have become unbearable. In a latest development the Central Shaheed Minar (Central Memorial for the Language Movement Martyrs) which is one of the most historic spots of the country has been declared offlimits to all public gatherings. This came about right after the hellish police brutality in the University of Dhaka, the country's largest university and BUET, the countries premiere Engineering University.

In defiance of the government ban different organisations vowed to hold a rallies there. The organisations united under the banner of Bikkhubdho Nagorik Somaj (BNS, Agitated Citizen's Society) have called for a rally on the 1st of October. People who want to participate in the rally have been asked to meet infront of the National Museum (North entrance of the University).

This date marks the first aniversary of the frauduilent elections that brought the present government to power. The rally will be presided by language movement hero, Abdul Matin. 40 famous personalities have given their full support to the rally and said they would establish the right for free movement at the Shaheed Minar. Jatiyo Ainjibi Forum (National Lawyer's Forum) have also extended their support.

Meanwhile two other groups have declared programs at the same time at the Shaheed Minar. Bangladesh Community Primary Schools Teachers' Association and Jatyatabadi Samajik Sangskritik Sangstha (JSSS). The JSSS is a cultural wing of the ruling BNP. The JSSS might have chosen the same time with the intention of creating tensions giving the government justification to use police and BDR to repress the BNS, a nonpolitical organisation.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner said that the University of Dhaka authorities will decide whether to give permission for the rally. This rule was imposed by the government since September 22nd. However, since the Vice Chancelor is a political appointee of the government he would simply play the role of a government spokes person. The DMP also said that they would take necessary steps consulting the University authorities. The BNS called upon the people to make the rally a success without the permission of the university authorities.

Background:

The Shaheed Minar lies in the heart of the University of Dhaka since the language movement was born there. Later in 1971 the struggle for independence and survival from a genocidal Pakistani army that killed 3 million began there. After the police brutality at the University students of the University had begun a fast unto death there pressing home their 7 point demand which included the removal of the VC that allowed the brutality. When repression began on BUET students, the students of that University also wanted to move their movement to the Shaheed Minar premises. Since then the police and paramilitary on government orders had laid a siege to the Shaheed Minar. The siege was withdrawn a couple of days ago but the ban enforced on all public gatherings remained. The ban is yet another fascist move by the government.

More Background:

1) Fraudulent Elections: A polling officer told me that just as in the elections during the Ershad (ex-military dictator who pretended to have elections) days, BNP men came in and stuffed ballot boxes with forged votes. I spoke to some others and they told me that their vote had been cast already and so they were unable to cast their votes.
Then I found out that the Awami League dominated areas were declared "upodruto" and the army was deployed. In these areas the BNP men and their allies created a terrifying situation and the BCL men could not counter them because of the army (and police) presence who were infact working for the BNP men. As a result many AL voters were intimidated not to cast their votes. I have met several people in Bangladesh who were not allowed to cast their votes due to these conditions.
Oh and huge money was changing hands as usual... even at the upper levels of the political hierarchy!
These aranged conditions allowed the 4 party alliance to win a landslide victory. The elections were a farce yet nobody says anything about them. Why? Jimmy Carter's team declared the elections of October 1st 2001 to be free and fair. Well this elections certainly discredits Jimmy Carter's credibility. Did Jimmy Carter get paid for his great job?

2) Repression On Minorities: Even before the "landslide" victory was officially announced the cadres of the 4 party alliance which includes the BNP and the Islamic extremist warcriminals went on a rampage which only reminds us of 1971. Massive repression was carried out against the minority communities and the Awami League supporters and leaders. This is unparalleled in history after 1971. Murder, rape, torture, robbery and landgrabbing were carried out by these terrorists.
Thousands fled to India and when Shahriar Kabir, a noted journalist, tried to cover the story, he was arrested and jailed by the government on sedition charges.

3) Law and Order: The law and order situation has become worse. Newspaper headlines are about murder and rape of young boys and girls to older people. The frequency of these horrible crimes have increased manifold. The police are not really bothered for the arrest of these criminals always and are not bothered about the security of the common people. (They clubbed a procession protesting extortionists! -- who does the police work for?) Government party activists who are on a rape and murder spree are not arrested and even if they are, they are let go with a slap on the wrist like in the sensational Sima case.
4) Price Hike: Price of gas and other essentials have been increased aswell hurting the common people including the farmers.

5) Roads: Not a single road in Dhaka (let alone the rest of the country) is suitable for traffic. Every road and street has been in need of repairs since long ago. Morevover, the road jams have become nightmarish. Even though I am not an AL fan, I have to admit that some of their measures such as "one-ways" was a positive step that has been arbitrarily reversed.

6) Epidemic: An epidemic of what is believed to be Dengue has broken out in the country. Everyday atleast one to two are dying from the disease and atleast 50 are being hospitalized. This disease is apparently spread by a mosquito, yet no state of emergency has been declared and no concerted effort to fight mosquitoes has been undertaken.

7) Deforestation: Deforestation of the Sundarbans by influential people of the ruling party has been going on... and recently has accelerated. A whole island (Sonadia) was recently deforested for shrimp production. This has not only destroyed the habitat of countless species but has also added to the mosquito menace.

9) Student Repression at University of Dhaka: Male police stormed a female dorm in the middle of the night and severely beat up the students at the behest of non-student JCD (ruling party's student front) leaders. The JCD leaders were angered because the general students had foiled their attempt to remove the provost (housing director) and have a politically allied (BNP) person replace her. 200 were injured.Some of the arrested students from the dorm had their dresses torn up badly and described torture just short of rape. (Who gives the ultimate order in such cases to the police?)
When students protested, the police further fell upon the students and beat them mercilessly. And the Vice Chancelor (BNP man) closed the University sine die and turned the University into a warzone. Thousands of armed police and paramilitary forces were deployed in the University. Police and BNP students were seen attacking the general students shoulder to shoulder.
The halls were closed and all students were forced to leave but the JCD men are still at the U and have no restrictions. Moreover, teachers were also beaten up. The chairman of the Biochemistry department ended up with a whole leg cast.

After over 2 months DU halls were reopenned today (Sep 30, 2002)

8) Fascism at BUET: A female student of BUET (the country's most important Engineering University) was killed by BNP activists. Some of the identified criminals are still staying at the dorms without any action from the authorities or the police. When students protested, the university in a fascist move declared all protest rallies and processions illegal. Protesting students have been arrested and expelled. BUET was shut down. The criminals stayed on campus. Who are the authorities protecting and why?
When BUET was re-openned, the criminals were still there. Students took to the streets again demanding justice for their killed colleague. Hundreds of police, JCD and Shibir attacked the BUET students and even hungerstriking students sending one of them to the Intensive Care Unit. BUET was closed down sine die for the second time.
**Just day before yesterday BUET was re-openned.

9) Banning: The government has been banning certain items and giving a few exclusive rights and monopoly to produce or import alternative items... in return for a few million Takas under the table. Banning of Polythene has not improved conditions in the country and one businessman with ties to the government has total monopoly over the business. Moreover, thousands of workers have lost their jobs after the polythene industry was shut down. (Look around for more examples)

10) ETV: ETV was the only worthwhile channel in the country but since its unique independent style (and news) worries the government, it was shutdown. This is only a symbol of all attacks on reporters and harrasment of newspapers and barring of publication of weekly magazines. Freedom of speech and knowledge of the public is threatened.

11) Razakar Ministers: Instead of bringing warcriminals to justice, the government has made ministers out of them. Nizami, the supreme commander of the al-Badr, is included.

12) Gen. Parvez Mosharof: Gen Mosharof, military dictator of Pakistan was cordially received by the government and Shahjahan Siraj. Gen. Mosharof was in a commando unit of the genocidal Pakistani army in Bangladesh during the 1971 liberation war. Welcoming him into the country is a national shame. Even more shameful is that Shajahan Siraj welcomed him. Shahjahan Siraj was one of the four valiant student leaders who raised the revolutionary Bangla flag. He is probably one of the biggest turncoats in the history of this country sitting side by side with Nizami (his colleague).

13) Bari Commission: The Bari commission was formed to investigate a series of deadly bomb attacks. The attacks included attacks on the previous Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and at a Bangla New Year celebration at the historic Ramna Park. It was suspected that Islamic extremists were to blame. However, since the new government took over, things changed. A few days ago the commission published their findings and blamed Sheikh Hasina and her party and Mr Bari even asked that Sheikh Hasina be tried. The other two people on the commission, however, denied the commission report. This is becoming a norm for the government to manipulate the law and investigations.

14) Rickshaws are being forced off the streets by police in a massive drive in Dhaka City. Even though it is a hard livelihood for the rickshaw pullers, it is still a livelihood for them. Many of them came to the city from villages to escape starvation. The government has declared to remove about 500, 000 rickshaws. The government has not created any alternative jobs for the pullers. They will either face starvation or have to enter a life of crime.

Furthermore, rickshaws are used mainly by the middle class who will be hurt by the unavailability of rickshaws and the high fares of the rickshaws that will be spared.

15) Add more... like the imposing of undeclared curfew at the DU and BUET. The barring of people from going to the Central Shaheed Minar and the blatant attack on all peaceful demonstrations even at the Muktangan.

URL:: http://

>>Add a comment

Comments

More background: political picture

Chasi 30/09/2002 07:16

Political Picture:

Mafia and politics are not separate in Bangladesh. All major parties are mafia. Thinking of them separately will not allow one to understand Bangladeshi politics.

Major Parties:
Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), current ruling party. The party was formed by military strongman Ziaur Rahman who came to power through a coup in 1975 and was killed by another coup in 1981. Allowed warcriminals to come back to Bangladesh and even be his prime minister. He also killed thousands of freedom fighters (independence war) in the army and nearly eliminated the Airforce. There was no significant development during his period. His canal digging program was a fraud and no new canals were dug during his time, despite the noisy claims by his supporters. Despite his apparent fascist nature, he has become a hero to millions.

Today the party is led by Mrs Khaleda Rahman aka Khaleda Zia (Zia used for name recognition purposes). The party is now a semi Islamist nationalist party with links to the Razakars of 1971. Her son Tarek Rahman is now being crowned to take over. His name is already being popularly changed to Tarek Zia, again for name recognition purposes.

BNP student armed gangs control most of the Universities and colleges of the country while JIB holds on to some. AL has partial hold in some universities. In the end days of Zia and soon after his death, heavily armed gangs of the BNP attacked student dorms in all major universities and took over. After 1987, there was a total turnabout in student politics. Before 1987, for decades the university students were predominantly communist and belonged to either the communist Chhatra Union (Student’s Union) or the communist Chhatra League. Some belonged to secular AL Chhatra League.

BNP had taken over in 1991 after the fall of Ershad. In their term they carried out no real development programs. They were busy politicizing the entire administration and taking over the trade unions and educational institutions. Since the fraudulent elections of Oct 1st, 2001, the new BNP led coalition government has turned fascist.

Islamists: Jamate Islami Bangladesh (JIB); minor party in ruling coalition is the largest of the Islamic parties. This party is extreme rightwing Islamic and had assisted the genocidal army of Pakistan in 1971 kill atleast 3 million in Bangladesh. They also kidnapped and killed many intellectuals while supplying the Pakistani soldiers with comfort girls. They have a very organised party of dedicated workers. JIB is now lead by Nizami, who was the supreme commander of the deadly Al Badr forces in 1971.

Today they and other Islamic groups like the Islamic Shashantantra Andalan and Islami Oikyo Jote etc all have underground groups and some or all have links to the Al Quaida. There are atleast 17 training bases in the Chittagong Hill tracts of Bangladesh (South East). They control a few universities and may now be poised to take the DU, the biggest University of the country.

The Islamists are suspected of a series of deadly bomb blasts in the country. JIB is not off the suspect list. There were attempts on the ex-Prime Minister’s life and bombs were blasted at a mass new Bangla year celebrations. Recently bombs were blasted at a movie theatre and circus killing 3 and injuring 125.

It is alleged that the Islamists especially JIB is funded by the ISI and their programs and strategy are also supposedly set by the ISI. ISI is the Inter Services Intelligence the main intelligence department of Pakistan.

Awami League (AL), generally known as the secular party that brought independence from Pakistan. AL has a long history since the Pakistani period. Sheikh Mujib, a bully and a gangster (now many vehemently protest this) who moved to Bangladesh from West Bengal after being rusticated from a college. He became a leader and was a powerful orator. Soon he rose up the ranks and replaced the national leaders like Shurwardi and Maulana Bhasani (Maoist). His party played a pivotal role in the country by winning the 1970 elections in a landslide. He, however, fell short of calling for independence from the Pakistani brutal regime. Maulana Bhasani demanded independence and so did the students at the Universities. He aspired to be the Prime Minister of Pakistan.

However, when the election results were anulled, he held a grand rally and gave a very powerful speech calling upon the people to rise up. Following was a genocide that killed 3 million. AL and other left groups led a desparate guerrilla war and eventually brought independence. During this time India helped Bangladesh and so many now associate AL with India even though the BNP gives more leeway to India than any other party. USA was against Bangladesh, armed Pakistan and sent its 7th naval fleet to assist the Pakistanis when the guerrillas were beating them off. This prompted the USSR to step in. Their 8th battalion was poised to take part in the war and the USA backed off.

Sheikh Mujib became the Prime Minister of Bangladesh and then President and at least on paper brought socialism to Bangladesh appeasing the left of Bangladesh and the USSR. He introduced an workers and farmer’s united party Bakshal (Bangladesh Krishak Shromik League).

However, the real situation in Bangladesh was very grave. Powerful AL men took over government assets and basically plundered them. Hoarders hoarded food without any reprecursions. This mismanagment and lack of accountability and lawlessness turned Bangladesh into a land without law. In 1974 a massive famine broke out and may be millions died. When the USA sent food aid to Bangladesh, the food was hijacked and sold in the black market in Calcutta by the AL men (much denied).

Kissinger and Nixon of the USA were vexed by the independence of Bangladesh and when Kissinger visited Sk. Mujib and did not get his way, he left Bangladesh in great anger. He met key people before he left. Soon after he left, Sk. Mujib was murdered along with most of his family including his 13 year old son. Many suspect Kissinger’s role in the murder. The official story was that some disgruntled officers killed Mujib. Supposedly Mujib’s son had kidnapped the wife of a military officer. The self declared killers of Mujib formed the Freedom Party which is an extreme right wing party but without any popular base. The killers were brought to the court recently but the new governemnt of BNP does not want them punished.

After Mujib’s death, AL remained out of power until 1996. Sk. Mujib had accomplished nothing of value in the country after independence and AL also failed to bring about radical change after 1996. MPs of the party brought about changes in their localities, however. Sk. Mujib’s daughter Sk. Hasina now heads the party the party has moved from its center left role to a more center position. Her government was obsessed with bringing Sk. Mujib’s killers to justice and ignored the bringing of war criminals to justice disappointing many victims. AL also dedicated itself to politicizing the administration and taking over trade unions and educational institutions. They also failed to end corruption and bring about law and order. Sk. Hasina also failed to curb the rising funamentalism and religious extremism.

Jatiyo Party (National Party): Party of military dictator Hussein Mohammed Ershad who came to power after Zia’s death in a bloodless coup that ousted President Abdus Sattar. He clung to power and introduced the politicizing of the media. He attempted to enter the university with student gangs like Zia before him but gave up. He gave much leeway to the warcriminals of 1971 and other islamists. He made religion compulsory in highschool and declared Islam the state religion. He was extremely corrupt and made the country totally dependent on foreign aid. He is probably a billionare like Tarek Rahman and may be Sk. Hasina. He however did carry out some development around the country especially in the north which is normally neglected by most parties. But corruption during the Ershad regime is nothing compared to the massive and all pervading corruption of today. He was ousted by a popular uprisal led by students.

He was jailed for a long time and then released a while ago. His party has split into three and have gone in three different directions. He still is popular in the north east of the country where he is from.

Communists: Once the students and intellectuals of the country were mostly communists. But since the educational institutions were politicized and taken over by student gangs, the picture has radically changed. The original communist party has splintered in to many different parties which themselves went into more split. Main parties are the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), Worker’s Party (Maoist), Jatiyo Somajtantrik Dal (JSD) (splinters) and BSD etc. They have recently formed an alliance but the alliance is weak since some its bigger members either directly or indirectly lick the feet of BNP or AL. JSD was the party of the four original leaders, Rob, Siddiqui, Siraj and Makhon, of the independence war. Today the four have gone in different directions. Makhon is dead; Rob’s JSD collaborated with Jatyo party betraying the people’s movement against Ershad and merged with Inu’s JSD (another splinter); Siddiqui is a shady businessman who has turned Islamic; Siraj is a minister in the current BNP government a colleague of Nizami a warcriminal from 1971. The Worker’s party is allied to the BNP while the CPB leans towards the AL. Even together they do not have much popular support left in the country.

Sarbahara Party (Party of Proletariats) or the PBCP (East Bengal Communist Party), a Maoist underground Party were once poised to turn their insurgency into a people’s war. However, soon after their leaders were killed, the party split and have no ideology left. They basically loot and plunder. They also terrorise the local villagers by killing and raping them.

JSD-Taher-CPB

Garga Chatterjee 04/10/2004 18:40

drgarga@vsnl.net

BD lost one its best bets for progress to a humane society when Col.Taher Ali lost. Denouncing renegades doesnt help but the lines of struggle with the alliance of JSD-CPB with AL to give something like the Indian Congress-Left alliance is the best bet now. Also, the PBCP and other factions need to be engaged. Only a mass struggle with democratic ideals can build Shonar Bangla.
Joy Bangla