Bastobota without reality chara

Over 36 years have gone past. We have not yet managed a stable political system. It has always been formless, it still is. I hear, for last 15 years or so - we had democracy, which gives power to the mass people. Well, the mass people of Bangladesh now seem to have very little idea of what to expect in a month's time, let alone having a safe & sound vison for 3 / 4 years. A group of 18/20 people are running the show without any democratic process. Buy hey, who am I kidding? Democracy for sure has been long gone; if only it ever existed. The jumbo sized ego and ‘extra large’ power-greed of top leaders of so called democratic Awami League and BNP has turned the whole nation into a trash * and all in the name of democracy and people’s right*. Every time Khaleda Zia and Sheik Hasina, the two housewives-turned-autocratic rulers use the term democracy; they mean dynasty and looting at heart. They still continue to do the same even after a kick in the face. Democracy to other BAL and BNP politicians is a tool and term to achieve the goons’ support at a level, where they can bring the nation to a complete standstill. Democracy to BAL and BNP backed businessmen is to create a syndicate that will lay egg every day so that their bank balance maintains an upward trend. Democracy to the commercial bank owners means looting deposited money of the mass people and using a portion of it in elections to buy the mass people’s support. Of the people, for the people.  

Democracy in Bangladesh very easily becomes a dictatorship of the majority. After every hartal called by BAL; BNP claimed that the majority rejected it. BAL claimed majority observed it. Both play with the people; claims to have the people besides them. They get away by massive destructions only because the majority remains with them.  

Both madam Khaleda Zia and Shiekh Hasina apa claim - they are ‘Raj-pother- netri’.  Yeap, true - but only by using the sentiment formed by the death of their family heads. Having a similar type tragedy, one can expect a good relationship between them; but the truth is, rivalry between the apa and the madam are on a high stake. Newspapers for years showed gallantly that the madam celebrates her birthday on the anniversary of the assassination of Apa's father. What a great attitude by the popular ‘Raj-pother- netri’. Shiekh hasina’s rabble rousing past on the other hand surely proves her best capability of being Raj-pother-netri by creating unrest in the country for personal desire of becoming the Prime Minister. She successfully creates illusion between BAL and her personnel image. BAL is definitely a political party of the mass but that does not make her a political leader of the mass. She is vulnerable enough to add "I am the daughter of the father of the nation" in every possible occasion; may it be exploiting the people's sentiment, may it be convincing foreign politicians, lobbyists or may it be an interview with BBC. Shiekh Hasina still does not possess an identity; she is just a representative of a dead man. Khaleda Zia, being another dead man’s representative still has the guts to say, there is no poribar tantro in BNP. I wonder what it will take to make her believe the reality. The low moral politicians of BNP do not even have the guts to protest their leader’s corruption and love for dynasty.

This is for sure that Bangladesh will never find social and political stability under the leadership of Shiek and Zia families. To bring freedom is one thing, to administer the country is another. They lack seriously at the later. What these two families have given the country is social unrest, emotional blackmailing and an extended version of corruption. But the reality remains, as long as the last living person of these two families will walk on this planet, they will lead BAL and BNP yet be top two choices of emotional Bangladeshis as their national leaders. Caretaker governments will come just like merry-go-round; sometimes for 3 / 4 months, sometimes for 40 days; and if they are smart and cleverer than BAL and BNP, they can stay for a year or so.

The cancellation of January 2007’s general election was possible through the democratic power of the mass and that of course through violent street protests and through killing rival supporters, *By the people, killing the people, for the people*. A new set of caretaker advisors took oath under most hazardous circumstances. Watching Shiek Hasina and all major political leaders along with Dynamite prize winner Dr. Younus in the ceremony created the vibe that the country is heading for peace and stability.  Newly formed government made it absolutely clear from the day 1 that it wants to purge the nation out of corruption by any means. That seemed its first agenda. The second agenda came clear when they tried to change the leadership of the two major political parties. Fools learn from their own mistakes, where-else cleaver ones learn from other's mistakes. Experience shows that any unwanted deportation of national leaders eventually popularizes them dramatically. This has happened in the case of Ayatullah Khomeni of Iran Thaksin of Thailand, Laisenia Qarase of Fiji. Caretaker government learnt that by ruining its credibility. Khaleda Zia and Hasina’s popularity perhaps reached on an ‘all time low’ but this wrong move gave them a plot to stand again.

Uncertainty existed in the last months of BNP regime, so does it exists now. Some miscalculation of the government, threats of new militant groups only worsen the situation. Additionally, lying of the two advisors (Maj Gen. Matin and Mainul Hassan) tells me, nothing has changed. BNP tried all sorts of gimmicks till the end of its era; BAL did it through out its history, now the caretaker government is doing it. Fearfully, a new group of businessmen are coming in action just as previous rent seekers did after major political shifts. If square group is selling influenza vaccine and providing medicine to the government without any bidding in the name of controlling bird flu, the government has to draw a line between corruption of that year and this year.

Hussain Muhammad Ershad is only efficient in making controversy over his fatherhood. Dr. Younus already realized, spreading micro credit around the world and receiving a Nobel price is easier than doing politics in Bangladesh. So, where do we go now? Whom to sought peace and certainty in our social and political life from?

A lame and ineffectual person like me does not see a bright future. I feel, BAL or BNP in deferent colors will eventually come in power and start ruining the country with support of the mass and will create a new class of elite in the process for their own good. More representatives of the two dead men will join the mainstream politics in the sake of keeping mass people’s democratic rights and will store country’s wealth in foreign banks *wealth of the people, for the sake of the people, to the paribar tantro people*. It may start in late 2008 or early 2009. My advance congratulations.

With all our past glories and legendary men like Sheik Mujib and Zia-ur Rahman and numerous others, to whom we have given proper respect and acknowledgement in all forms, be it in history books, bridges, universities, buildings, monument - anything and everything. They are gone and we are left, let’s look ahead and claim what we want for our motherland and our government. All I have seen in the past 36 years is what was left behind by these great men-their weakest representatives and their false love for Bangladesh in form of daughters, wives and sons (ie our two royal family/dynasties). Let’s shut them out from any government role.

They are just common thieves! Since the inception days of Bangladesh to present, we have categorized one another, be it PRO US, PRO INDIA, PRO CHINA, PRO RUSSIA, PRO COMMUNIST, PRO PAKISTAN and the list goes on.........WHERE IN THE HELL IS ‘PRO BANGLADESH’. Today, I see the Caretaker government doing an enormous task of riding us all of this cancerous sore we call political leaders. Corrupt, ruthless and shameless people who are representing our tiny country both onshore and offshores. A country that has topped the most corrupt list consecutively because of their commitment for personal gains.

I request, for the good of all Bangladeshis’, where the law is for protection and safe guard, to support a longer tenor of the CG, we need to put aside our personal benefit for a country that identifies our heritage and culture. JOIN ME TO BE ONE, ALL UNITED - PRO BANGLADESH !

After walking for long hours, two travelers, seeking relief from the heat of the mid-day sun, took shelter under a leafy tree. They soon felt cool and refreshed. “What sort of tree is this? Does it produce seasoned fruits?” asked one of the travelers to the other. “It’s a plane tree,” said his companion. “Don’t waste your time looking for fruits. It produces neither fruits nor good wood. It’s one of the most useless trees around.” 

“How can you say that when you’re enjoying my shade at this very moment?” snapped the tree.

Moral: Often, a person’s worst critics are those who have benefited the most from him.

Shadakalo digs into the New Nation claim and separates the Shada from the Kalo. Shadakalo confirmed, - "15 senator" letter is genuine. New Nation is Lying. SalamDhada and Mash played their part on finding the fact. I expect an explanation from the New Nation as their attempt is now well exposed. 

------------------------------------------------------------------------

15 US Senators cared enough to save democracy in Bangladesh; reports BDNEWS. How nice of these 15 people. They sent a letter to Caretaker Head Fakruddin Ahmed saying "promptly lift the state of emergency and restore full civil and political rights to all citizens of Bangladesh". The letter dated 14 May 2007 also said, "Announce within next two months a roadmap towards free and fair elections to be held as soon as possible with inputs of the political parties and civil society leaders so that democratically-elected government can be restored as soon as possible". The names include Hillary Clinton, Joseph Biden, John Kerry, Joseph Lieberman.

The names. Big names. Future Daddy/ies and Mummy. BAL and BNP leaders are happy. Very happy. Ex-World Bank dude will not ignore this call, will he? Can he? Sneak-ludu playing days are over. It’s the time to Disco. Shadhinota elo bole. Freedom to ruin the country ones more. O well, some are in their early sixties, maybe the last time. Last time to say the beautiful words. Beautiful words like “Amader Shorkar”. Words like  “Agami kaal desh bapi Hartal”.

Beshi Beshi Fn’F, shobai khushi; Kotha hoi jone jone beshi beshi. Desh Desh Desh, BAL o BNP r’ desh, US senator der nei doroder shesh.

UPDATE:

1. Bangladesh's former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia cancelled a plan to fly to Singapore on Wednesday after a charge of extortion was filed against her son Arafat Rahman. Amar ja obostha, ja korar, bojhe shune kori.

2. Law Adviser Barrister Mainul Hosein said Bangladesh has to solve its problems on its own, rather than listen to the foreigners. It is up to the foreigners how they realise the problems of Bangladesh, he said. Mr. Barrister, do remember your stand on foreigners, the time you send Mr. Iftekhar Chowdhury or other well mannered people to beg foreign aid (this thing for its unique characteristics, only come from the foreigners). Ami jare chai re, tare jeno peye o na harai re.

3. The New Nation reported 'Letter to Fakruddin from 15 US Senators Fake'. Several of the US senators' offices have confirmed that no such letter was sent to the Chief Advisor of Bangladesh. Man, this has gone out of control. What next? This better not be one of Mainul Hosein's awful tricks.

Bangladeshi blogosphere got fired up.

Articles, comments and advises are floating like Tsunami for the last three days and all for good reasons. For a moment, it became inevitable that writing in blogs is not that ‘a small gig anymore’ – it can smash the government and get notify by the extreme rulers. The support and concern the bloggers showed regarding Tasneem Khalil issue is the greatest asset for any blogger. Time will tell us whether the ‘Tasneem Khalil issue’ was a gimmick or a typical military act; one thing is for sure – we all are united and will try to defend ourselves as long as freedom-of-speech is concerned. Bangladeshi pioneer bloggers including SalamDhaka, Rezwanul and international human rights watch covered the news with intensity while the Bangladeshi TV channels and newspapers totally failed to cover the incident on time.

Intentions of maintaining blogs and posting comments in forums / blogs / newspapers differ but one common thing that ties up everybody is that a thinking progression is on. Bloggers are continuously updating events and analyzing in a unique manner that is missing in the printed and electronic media. Bloggers take their stand on different issues and start debating – a wonderful thing this is. It is however shocking to read slang and threats in the blogs as much it is shocking to realize that blind supporters of a particular community is still favouring ‘dynasty politics’ and corrupt politicians in the name of human rights and democracy.
Bangladeshi blogosphere got all fired up right after some bold decisions taken by the current caretaker government; bloggers showed amazing skills in analyzing the situation. What's right is not what's popular and vise versa. ‘January 2007’ government made it absolutely clear from the day one that it wants to purge the nation out of corruption by any means. That seemed its first agenda; the course is still on with some hilarious decisions in-between. Bloggers pointed out the loopholes, gave advices and suggested a better route. In the process, some rent seekers plugged-in their thoughts for obvious future benefits; and that is of course in the name of freedom-of-speech and so called democracy which they do not practice even in their social life, to be exact.

Lack of transparency is never a good sign and the current government is guilty of this for sure; but only as much as the democratic parties were during their rules. Democracy in Bangladesh always worked as a dictatorship of the majority. BNP and BAL did not practice democracy for a single day; they used it for personnel benefits and brought the nation to a complete standstill whenever they desired. There is no significant deference between the ‘January 2007’ government and democratic regimes of 1991, 1996 & 2006. All of them came to power with support from the Cantonment dudes, to be precise. Both BNP and BAL ‘on the regime / off the regime’ got away by massive destructions only because the majority remained with them; and now this caretaker government is trying to clean up the mess as most of the Bangladeshis want that to happen but creating few more confusions in the process without realizing it. If, due to present consequences, Bangladesh is better-off after five years from now, Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed along with his band of brothers (snobby educated advisors and Cantonment dudes) surly will get praise by the bloggers and the history. If they fail for their ill decisions, the history itself will punish them ruthlessly. Failing to bring stability and calm however leave with two options - one more caretaker government backed by another bunch of ambitious Army officers or Army all by itself – the last thing Bangladesh needs. Cantonment dudes are no saints and there is no reason to trust that they can bring stability though the current military leadership tried to impose the idea that it intervened and formed a new set of advisors to save the country as it was going towards a turmoil - half truth really. The top generals were challenged and took action only at the point, where they almost lost the power game to their next line. They intervened just to retain their positions; bringing stability in Bangladesh was the second thing in the list, as it has always been; may it be part of a democratic regime or an autocratic one.

Role of the Bangladeshi bloggers are quite huge now, as is seems that the rulers and their backbones do read blogs with passion. Instead of criticizing the government in an abusive manner, we must take a stand to suggest our views accordingly for the betterment of the nation. If some bloggers still believe the existing BNP and BAL leaders can direct Bangladesh towards a bright future, they must be having a good reason for it; a wrong good reason that is.