Bangladesh: Boycotting Indian Products To Protest Brutality At Border
Bangladesh: Boycotting Indian Products To Protest Brutality At Border : NL-Aid
Posted on | maart 1, 2012 | No Comments
In January 2012 a 12 minute long uncut video of brutality on a Bangladeshi cattle trader by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) (warning: graphic content) went viral on the Internet. Originally uploaded by an Indian human rights organization Masum, this video attracted widespread condemnation from Bangladeshis. According to reports by Human Rights organizations Indian BSF has killed more than 1000 Bangladeshis in last 10 years which has been condemned by international communities.
The Indian media were quick to point fingers [bn] at Pakistan for the release of the video, which spread more fuel to the fire. Himu at Sachalayatan quips [bn]:
In the Anandabazar report there is no effort to condemn this brutality, they are concerned only how the video got leaked.Graph showing the number of killings by BSF from March 2009 to February 2012. Image courtesy Dhushor Godhuli
He adds [bn]:
The BSF tortures our people standing on the basis of what they think about Bangladeshis socially, their experience, and according to their training and direction. The BSF does not treat Bangladeshis as equal. There are many places in the world where there are borders of a large country with a small one. But their border patrol do not fire on adolescents, torture naked youths. This thrashing is not by BSF to cattle smugglers, but the Indian bureaucracy to the Bangladeshis. [..] The main driving force behind this brutality is not only hatred, but apathy.
Blogger Dhushor Godhuli [bn] talks about an archive where all the atrocities of BSF are being chronicled. The blogger points out that the claims of the number of deaths are different between Indian and Bangladeshi authorities. The actual numbers quoted by the human rights organizations are much higher. The recent remarks by the BSF chief that the shootings will not stop has created much more anger amongst Bangladeshis. So the netizens have decided to launch a campaign to stop the killings at border. Blogger Himu writes [bn]:
Let March 1, 2012 be the day to Boycott India. On this day we will not buy anything Indian, will not use any Indian service, will not watch Indian TV channels. Let us spread the words, let everybody know. Let us remind everybody of their self respect. We are not dogs, but human beings. You have to respect us as human beings.
In another post Himu explains [bn] why the boycott is needed:
This boycott is being undertaken in protest of the wanton killings and tortures of Indian Border Force on Bangladeshis. [..] Questions may arise, if only some people starts this campaign what impact will it bring to India. [..] The answer is that we don’t expect that we will get the result in a day. [..] This boycott is a peaceful but strong tool in our hands. It will gradually send a strong message to the political and bureaucratic powerhouses of India.
Mukti blog does not think that such boycott is really going to work up the Indian businesses enough to lobby the Indian government to discipline BSF. However, the blogger adds:
Hmm, I suppose some folks will still believe that, just as others will continue to believe that Indian foreign policy establishment is always scheming to subjugate Bangladesh. But to the more reality-based-people, I submit that boycotting Indian goods has limited effectiveness beyond symbolism. And yet, the energy and passion behind this activism shouldn’t be underestimated. This kind of citizens’ activism — initiated by bloggers — can actually make a difference.
Diganta responds in a comment in the above post:
BSF has built up what I can call world’s largest extortion racket. Only way to stop this could be to legalize cattle trade between India and Bangladesh. [..]
Blogger Asif Mohiuddin at Somehwhereinblog.net endorses the boycott saying people should join it out of humanity, not nationalist jingoism. He appeals to Indians:
I am appealing to the friendly Indian citizens, please raise your voice to stop these acts against humanity. Kindly do not let your tax money waste bullets on our body. Please ask your government to stop these killings. We know that you are not in favor of these brutality by BSF, but we want to hear it loud and clear.
Also published in Global Voices Online
AUTHOR: Rezwan
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The one thing they'd rally about is the recent murder of a journalist couple. 
