News from Bangladesh-Updates and Discussion

[Al-zakir]

It seems AL is again for a vendetta and revengeful politics. Any political Party in power should unite the nation. But, AL seems to be doing just the opposite. It is dividing the nation. AL is a CREATOR that creates problems from non-issues. Changing the name of Zia International Airprt (ZIA) to something else will certainly not be seen by the population kindly.

Zia is seen as an enemy of AL only because he stopped the destruction of the country two times and his stature went above Sk. Mujib, who was a failed administrator. First time, when the political leaders failed to declare a clear-cut course of action to be taken by the population in 1971, an unknown Major Zia of Pakistan army declared independence of Bangladesh on behalf of Sk. Mujibur Rahman.

Second time, when population were worried about an unwanted Indian intervention after the multiple political coups and murders in 1975, Ziaur Rahman was pushed to the strongman role by both the military and population. He saved the country two times and this is how AL looteras are paying back his deeds. A dead Zia is also a threat to AL, it is so fearful of his popularity.

But, we must also note that AL dares to humiliate Zia only because his living wife and two sons have accumulated unlawful wealths during 2001-08 period of BNP rule. Zia, who was wearing torn undershirt when he was killed, is paying the price for the misdeeds of his family.

However, President Zia will remain a legend and a popular figure in BD. AL cannot banish him from the minds of its population.

Well if awami league successfully can rename zia without strong protest(destructive) from opposition then awami league government will remove remainder of shaheed zia from zia uddan. (::Welcome to Daily Naya Diganta::). I don not know what is in the mind set of awami however if it think that BNP is dead horse than perhaps it digging it own grave. General Zia's popularity among muslims is unparallel to any other leader in bangladesh. Awami may have gotten majority seats but it doesn't represent the views of 100% population. I am hoping BNP and rest of right wing party unite to drag out this mushrik inspired government from power.

 

[ramu]

After spending a lot of time reading the posts in this thread, a few things are clear. Many people who are from Bangladesh are of the POV that the current Govt. is subordinate to Indian Govt. India is hell bent upon destroying Bangladesh and so on. My POV is that AL is a patriotic party that has the right intention but needs to fine tune its execution. It is currently focusing on too many areas for development and hence diluting its overall effect.

I have also read about Indian 1 billion $ credit line to Bangladesh for construction of important transport infrastructure, etc. Every attempt is made to show even this gesture of good will in poor light. The Indian credit line will be given at a RoI much below the prevailing central bank rates in Bangladesh as the inflationary tendency in Bangladesh is much higher than in India. Indian RBI's rate at which it lends other banks stands at about 5% which is much less than the prevailing RoI in Bangladesh.

India and Bangladesh have started a new chapter and are keen to resolve all outstanding issues. Indian policy of "Look east" is to focus on countries from Bangladesh to Japan and improve relations and build trade partners. Bangladesh has a vibrant economy will at-least a million entrepreneurs at home and abroad. India can do with synergies in trade and would look for opportunities for revenue generation.

Companies like BHEL based in India have setup huge power sector infrastructure that will go a long way in alleviating the current power deficit scenario. It is in India's interest to have a country like Bangladesh as a friend and a healthy competitor that n the long run will create a great ecosystem for business and cooperation.

My dear friends from Bangladesh, I want to make it reasonably clear that it is in India's selfish interest to have a vibrant and strong economy in the east. India has its strength in areas such as steel, power, telecommunication, etc. Bangladesh has its own strength be it textile, human resource, etc. As long as we can find ways to compliment and compete in an environment of peace and trust, we can grow and eradicate poverty which is our common enemy. Please do not degrade India just because the opposition parties do it. Even if I change the mind of one Bangladeshi to view India as a friend then I have not wasted my time.

 

[eastwatch]

Well if awami league successfully can rename zia without strong protest(destructive) from opposition then awami league government will remove remainder of shaheed zia from zia uddan. (::Welcome to Daily Naya Diganta::). I don not know what is in the mind set of awami however if it think that BNP is dead horse than perhaps it digging it own grave. General Zia's popularity among muslims is unparallel to any other leader in bangladesh. Awami may have gotten majority seats but it doesn't represent the views of 100% population. I am hoping BNP and rest of right wing party unite to drag out this mushrik inspired government from power.

Many people here regularly blame Gen. Moeen for the election win of AL and try not to face the reality that BNP lost its credibility due to huge corruption by most of the misnisters and MPs during 2001-06. Begum Zia and her family (not Zia's family members) were at the forefront of corrution. This is why BNP, the Party of Zia, has lost popularity.

And this is the sole reason that AL can brave to disgrace Ziaur Rahman by calling him an autocrat and changing the airport name from ZIA to something else. Look, how Shaitan this SH is, she chose the name of a well-respected Muslim Saint of the past. Sylhet airport can be named after Hazrat Shahjalal and not ZIA.

BNP seems unable to initiate an effective protest at this time, only becvause people have not yet forgotten its past misdeeds. However, this may the starting point for BNP to turn around and face the devil SH squarely. This woman has also changed the name of one of our frigates from BNS Abu Bakr to BNS Bangabandhu.

History will be repeated as it was during the 1996-01 AL rule. People disgraced Sk. Mujib by writing obscene things on the Tk.100 paper notes that had his picture on it. Sk. Mujib was disgraced last time because of the activities by SH. This time also, she is doing similar things.

 

[EjazR]

Bangladesh to rename establishments bearing Ziaur Rahman's name | TwoCircles.net

By IANS,

Dhaka : The Bangladesh government has decided to rename all the establishments named after former president Ziaur Rahman. The decision prompted opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party to announce a stir to protest the move.

"According to the cabinet decision, no structures or institutions will bear name of illegal autocratic ruler Ziaur Rahman," Prime Minister's Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad told the media.

"The governments between August 15, 1975 and April 9, 1979 including Ziaur Rahman assuming power were illegal," the official was quoted as saying by The Daily Star.

The government has also decided to reinstate original names of the structures, which were changed by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)-Jamaat coalition government between 2001 and 2006.

BNP protested protest the government's move to rename all establishments named after party's founder Ziaur Rahman.

The party's Senior Joint Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said the party workers will hold rallies in Dhaka and district headquarters, Star Online said.

It was announced Monday that Bangladesh's Zia International Airport (ZIA) would be named after a 13th century Sufi saint Hazrat Shahjalal, after deleting Zia's name.

The move appeared to be directed against Rahman's widow and Leader of Opposition, Begum Khaleda Zia. Ziaur Rahman was the army chief who later became the president (1977-81).

The cabinet also decided to change the name of Shaheed Ziaur Rahman University, Barisal to Barisal University.

Regarding renaming the airport, the cabinet said that since the people of the country respect Sufis and religious figures and wish to keep their memory alive many important establishments had been named after them.

 

[eastwatch]

Bangladesh to rename establishments bearing Ziaur Rahman's name | TwoCircles.net

The stupid PM Sk. Hasina is unwittingly strengthening the opposition BNP by doing all these heineous things. Zia will remain in the hearts of BD people, but Hasina's body may not find soil in BD. For the first six months she was good. She was talking less and was showing people that she is serious about the country's development.

But, it seems she needs to get some special medication to cure her brain of the shock she received at the killing of 18 of her family members on 15th August 1975. A mental patient like SH is not fit to lead the country. If she does not like our Hemayetpur, then she should be sent to your Ranchi mental asylum.

 

[eastwatch]

South Asian Media Net

Opposition walks out on ZIA renaming
Wednesday, February 17,2010

DHAKA: The BNP-led opposition lawmakers yesterday walked out of parliament twice, protesting the renaming of Zia International Airport and a ruling party MP's remarks on Tarique Rahman.

The opposition and treasury bench traded salvos throughout the day's discussion on thanksgiving motion on the president's address.

In a related development the same day, BNP announced countrywide demonstrations for tomorrow against the government's changing the name of ZIA.

In the House, the opposition members staged the first walkout half an hour after the proceedings began at 3:10pm.

As they returned after 20 minutes, a heated debate over the practice of renaming establishments followed.

The opposition MPs stormed out of the House again at 7:00pm to protest AL lawmaker Zillul Hakim's remarks on Tarique Rahman, senior vice-chairman of BNP.

Zillul said Tarique does not have any educational qualifications and that everyone knows him as “world champion in corruption” and “prince of corruption”.

BNP, Jamaat and BJP lawmakers got back to the House after two minutes.

Before Zillul, BNP lawmaker Rasheda Begum Hira had launched a broadside against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's son Sajeeb Wazed Joy.

She said Joy sees militancy in Islam and dreams of a Hindu prime minister in Bangladesh.

“It is to materialise his dream that the government has been out to eliminate Shibir activists,” Hira said amid a chorus of protest from the treasury bench.

Earlier, at the beginning of the sitting, BNP lawmaker Moudud Ahmed took the floor, raising a point of order.

Referring to the changing of ZIA into Shahjalal International Airport, he said it exposes the government's “narrow-mindedness and vengeance”. It is an attempt to erase Ziaur Rahman's name from people's mind.

As soon as he finished speaking, the opposition deputies walked out.

At that point, AL lawmaker Abdul Mannan took the floor and blasted Moudud for “changing sides throughout his political career”.

He also accused the opposition of blemishing the dignity of the House by throwing files and papers.

Jatiya Party lawmaker Mujib ul Haque said BNP has no moral right to preach on name-changing because it did the same while in power.

During its rule, he said, Chandrima Udyan was renamed Zia Udyan. It also blotted out Ershad's name from Ershad Army Stadium.

The past BNP government had dissolved upazila parishad system, saying that autocrat Ershad introduced it. But it did not cancel allocation of Khaleda Zia's cantonment and Gulshan residences and other financial facilities provided by the Ershad government.

JP Chairman HM Ershad, who was present at the House at that time, joined the treasury bench lawmakers in thumping desks to welcome his party colleague's speech.

Some other AL lawmakers said it was during the previous BNP rule when Bangabandhu Bridge was changed into Jamuna Bridge, Chittagong MA Hannan International Airport into Shah Amanat International Airport, Bangabandhu Novo Theatre into Bhashani Novo Theatre, and Bangabandhu International Conference Centre into Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre.

BNP BRIEFING
BNP will hold nationwide demonstrations tomorrow to protest against renaming of ZIA.

At a press conference at the party headquarters in Naya Paltan yesterday afternoon, Senior Joint Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir termed the government's move vindictive.

"No one can erase Zia's name as it is engraved in people's hearts.”

Fakhrul added that the government is now engaged in changing the names of establishments and organisations despite coming to power promising to change people's lives.

He also condemned that firecrackers were planted near BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's office on Monday and described the incident as one of a string of assassination attempts.

Protest rallies will be held at BNP district headquarters across the country and the central BNP will stage a demonstration in the capital's Muktangan at 3:00pm.

The senior joint secretary general said Awami League's recent activities are of national concern because it appears to be marching towards one-party rule.

Fakhrul said, "Awami League wants to bring back BAKSAL rule by having the constitution's fifth amendment modified in court."

He demanded release of former state minister for home Lutfozzaman Babar who he alleged is being tortured in detention on fabricated charges.

At the press conference, former deputy minister Ruhul Quddus Talukder protested the recent attack on his Natore residence and demanded a fair probe into the incident.

The other leaders who attended the press conference included Tariqul Islam, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Fazlur Rahman Patal, Amanullah Aman, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal and Habib-un-Nabi Khan Sohel.

 

[Al-zakir]

Many people here regularly blame Gen. Moeen for the election win of AL and try not to face the reality that BNP lost its credibility due to huge corruption by most of the misnisters and MPs during 2001-06. Begum Zia and her family (not Zia's family members) were at the forefront of corrution. This is why BNP, the Party of Zia, has lost popularity.

And this is the sole reason that AL can brave to disgrace Ziaur Rahman by calling him an autocrat and changing the airport name from ZIA to something else. Look, how Shaitan this SH is, she chose the name of a well-respected Muslim Saint of the past. Sylhet airport can be named after Hazrat Shahjalal and not ZIA.

BNP seems unable to initiate an effective protest at this time, only becvause people have not yet forgotten its past misdeeds. However, this may the starting point for BNP to turn around and face the devil SH squarely. This woman has also changed the name of one of our frigates from BNS Abu Bakr to BNS Bangabandhu.

History will be repeated as it was during the 1996-01 AL rule. People disgraced Sk. Mujib by writing obscene things on the Tk.100 paper notes that had his picture on it. Sk. Mujib was disgraced last time because of the activities by SH. This time also, she is doing similar things.

Unlike changing any other name that just required new sign board however this one will cost poor bd about 50 corror. This money could be use so many good way yet la-hasina just wasting it because of some ego problem. ::Welcome to Daily Naya Diganta::

 

[M_Saint]

Fascists AWAMY rapists/Grafters have been killing some of the finest students of BD, who happens to grow up as the most patrotic, rational thinkers thus defy on submission to IND. By using those AWAMY rapists, RAW is just anhilating anti-Indians that don't like the hegemon expansionist Bharat.

Amardesh Online Edition

 

[Al-zakir]

BNP, allies mull movement unitedly STAFF REPORTER
The four-party alliance led by Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is likely to hold a meeting soon aiming to frame strategy for waging movement simultaneously against the government for "repression" on its leaders and activists, according to party insiders.
As BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia said movement against the present government is a must because people want to get rid of misrule, the four-party alliance is planning for waging movement unitedly, party sources said.
Apart from the movement, alliance leaders and workers are expected to intensify their ongoing agitation separately and strengthen their organisational activities.
Meanwhile, BNP leaders have announced a month-long agitation programme including demonstrations at all the upazilas and six divisional headquarters as well as a month-long mass campaign. As part of the programme, Khaleda Zia will embark on a countrywide tour next month to gear up party activities for launching anti-government movement. She will address meetings and wayside rallies at the six divisional headquarters and some district towns during the tour.
The opposition party will also hold a 'grand rally' at Paltan sometime in March. Leader of the opposition Khaleda Zia will announce the next course of movement from the rally. Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami has held meetings at four district headquarters to gear up its anti-government movement. BNP standing committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy said the party will sit with like-minded political parties to frame strategy for waging tougher movement if government doesn't ensure congenial democratic atmosphere. In reply to a query, he said that they were yet to fix the date for holding the meeting of the four-party alliance. "Obviously, we will go for united movement in due time if the government doesn't refrain from perpetuating repression on opposition leaders and workers across the country," he added. Jamaat secretary general Ali Ahsan Mojahid said as part of agitation programmes, the party leaders and workers were staging demonstrations and holding rallies across the country.
"If needed, leaders of BNP-led four-party alliance will sit soon to discuss issues relating to government's latest crackdown on opposition leaders and workers," he added. Bangladesher Jatiya Party (BJP) chief Andalib Rahman, MP said that they have yet to take any decision about holding of the meeting. "We will meet with BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia soon and request her to give us guidelines for building strong resistance against repression on our party men," he added.

:: The Daily Independent Bangladesh :.. Internet Edition

 

[fallstuff]

I think Hasina just handed Khaleda Zia the ace of spade. She is under estimating the power of the "Zia" brand. If khaleda Zia is smart she will play it right. I was there on the day of his Janazah , I was very young then. There where millions of people, I have never seen so many grown men crying.

Hasina had it going really good. people voted her in, she seemed to be doing good. Her ratings were really good. Why she had to start screwing it up . For the love of God, I don't know why !!

As the saying goes in Comilla " Shukhe thakle bhute kilay"

 

[eastwatch]

I think Hasina just handed Khaleda Zia the ace of spade. She is under estimating the power of the "Zia" brand. If khaleda Zia is smart she will play it right. I was there on the day of his Janazah , I was very young then. There where millions of people, I have never seen so many grown men crying.

Hasina had it going really good. people voted her in, she seemed to be doing good. Her ratings were really good. Why she had to start screwing it up . For the love of God, I don't know why !!

As the saying goes in Comilla " Shukhe thakle bhute kilay"

Yes, people of Bangladesh are still and should always remain grateful to Gen. Zia. Two times he saved BD people from being annihilated. 1st time from the onslaught of Pak army by immediately proclaiming the independence of Bangladesh. 2nd time he did so by creating a psychological defence in the minds of population in November 7, 1975against a possible incursion into BD by India through its local 5th column.

He had to give his life by an AL substitute. This substitute was Gen. Ershad. Qoalition partners AL and its substitute both are afraid of the name of Zia. But, however they try and whatever means they apply, people will not forget Zia and SH cannot bluff the population.

People did not vote for AL because they have suddenly started to dislike Zia. People dislike Begum Zia and her sons, but love Zia.

 

[M_Saint]

Hasina had it going really good. people voted her in, she seemed to be doing good. Her ratings were really good. Why she had to start screwing it up . For the love of God, I don't know why !!

Sir/Brother,

My blood pressure goes high when I hear that people has voted Hasina into power. First off, election under an illegal entity was illegal thus its outcome was null and void. secondly even in that election Hasina wasn't voted to power like she wasn't in 96. In both occasions, extra ordinary results were delivered by creating extraordinary environments, which couldn't be possible in normal circumtences, period. EW repeatedly tried to legalize MUA's illegal take over by bringing BNP's 1 crore illegal voter enlistment that made me mum, speechless since Beauty Apa/Mizz Beautiness even certified that Mr. AZIZ's voter lists didn't have any deliberate partiallity besides negligible(Statistical) insignificence of dual counting, uncounting, overlaping etc. Furthermore, right after the parliament election, BNP/JI miraculously turn around in Upazilla election even after RAWAMY-Commie mayhems throughout the country. A very scientific question would be to ask on why AWAMY led 14 party walas hadn't performed similar in UPAZILLA election as just held parliament election, although they created havoc to win? And why did they have to cause mayhem to win after their just landslide-WIN in parliament election?The reason was simple, i.e, MUA, FUA, HUDA cerated extra ordinary environment eased up after democratic ball started to roll.

 

[eastwatch]

Speaker slams MPs for 'shameful' show | Bangladesh | bdnews24.com

SPEAKER SLAMS MPs FOR 'SHAMEFUL' SHOW
Fri, Mar 5th, 2010 12:56 am BdST

Dhaka, Mar 4 (bdnews24.com) – Speaker Abdul Hamid threatened on Thursday to resign if the prevailing "misconduct of MPs" in parliament continued. He blasted members of both treasury and opposition benches just a day after lawmakers came near to blows in the house, terming their behaviour "shameful for the nation".

"I have been elected by the votes of both government and opposition parties. I will conduct parliament my way. If you think it is not needed for me to stay, I am ready to go," he told MPs.

Pandemonium broke out in parliament on Wednesday sparked by a remark of an opposition MP about Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, later expunged, followed with a reply from a ruling party member which was taken as uncomplimentary to Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia.

At one point, a BNP MP charged threateningly towards a member of the treasury bench. The 10 minutes of total chaos ended with the main opposition party walking out of parliament for a third consecutive day.

The speaker on Thursday criticised the MPs and urged them to be "more concerned with the hopes of the people who had elected [them]".

"The mike will be switched off if unparliamentarily or attacking language is used. If you want to fight or wrestle, go to Paltan or the field outside parliament," the speaker said.

He made the statement between a resolution by an MP and a thanksgiving proposal on the president's address.

The speaker was strict from the start of Thursday's session. He refused BNP MP Moudud Ahmed's point of order at the start and said, "No point of order will be taken now. I have something to say first to all of you."

Following the resolution, Moudud Ahmed and AL MPs Tofail Ahmed and Suranjit Sengupta again wanted to raise points of order.

Refusing them, the speaker said he had decided not to allow any points of order until after the discussion on the president's address.

'SHAMEFUL'

Hamid went on to say: "The unwanted incident that occurred is saddening and shameful for the nation."

He said it was "only natural" that the opposition will criticise the government and the government will criticise past governments.

"However it is important to do that using parliamentary language and code of conduct," the speaker said.

He drew attention of the MPs to the wide coverage in the media over Wednesday's incident, and said: "Your language, behaviour or actions on that day were unacceptable to the people."

He said everyone had to be alert "in upholding the stature of and respect for parliament".

"I did not expect to see such an incident. And the type of language used is in no way appropriate," the speaker said.

The choice of language "reflects on the origins of a person," he added.

'ACT SO PEOPLE CAN KEEP FAITH'

"Kindly, and for God's sake, act so the people can keep their faith in you. Many hard things can be said very nicely," the speaker said.

Following his address, members of ruling and opposition parties welcomed the speaker's efforts to restore the peace in parliament by raising point of orders near the end of the session.

Moudud Ahmed was the first to speak on the matter and praised the speaker's move.

He also urged understanding instead of heated rows. "Let's not go into the competition to defame each other's leaders. Then parliament will run smoothly," the BNP MP said.

PROMISES, PROMISES

"No government is the last government. There is also no assurance that I will be elected next time. We assure that we will not make any derogatory remarks about your leader if you don't make any about ours," Moudud said.

The speaker appreciated the speech by Moudud, but pointed out, "When a junior MP makes a negative comment during a speech, even senior members of the bench support it by clapping on the desk. It happens on both sides. It is very disheartening."

Senior Awami League MP Suranjit Sengupta next took the floor. He pointed out "the respect AL pays to Ziaur Rahman when referring to him".

"We mention Bir Uttam as he participated in the Liberation War and deserves the title."

But, he said, "The scenario is different with Bangabandhu (Sheikh Mujibur Rahman). He is an incomparable leader and the father of the nation."

BNP's MK Anwar raised a point of order following Suranjit's speech. "Despite Bangabandhu's achievements, people do differ with the way he ran the country in the post-war period."

"But the disagreements should be presented without any show of disrespect. The same is true for our leader as his historic contributions cannot go unheeded."

He then reaffirmed Moudud's assurance of not saying anything derogatory about Sheikh Mujib if the ruling party maintains the same about Ziaur Rahman.

The next speaker was AL MP Tofail Ahmed, who revived memories of the "affectionate relations between Bangabandhu and Ziaur Rahman".

"Let us not attack each other and only participate in constructive discussions as people's image of parliament is being tarnished day by day," Tofail said.

"Yesterday's incident was not acceptable to anyone. So let's start afresh from today."

 

[Al-zakir]

Restituting 1972 Consitution: A Daunting Task Like Phallus Transplant.

Monday March 08 2010 15:08:15 PM BDT


By Abusa M. Seraj, USA


Barrister Shafique Ahmed, the law-minister from technocrat quota seems very efficient and successful. He did some extra-ordinary performances in last one-year Awami-rule. He played so well in manipulating the justice system. While the whole country was so sincerely wishing to see our judiciary functionally independent of executive branch. But with utter dismay, we have witnessed how the judiciary wae made subservient to government from the landmark verdicts of Sheik Mujib Murder case to annulling 5th amendment of constitution.

For our misfortunes, I actually don’t incriminate our governments, judges, ministers, leaders or any particular group. As a nation we have been born with bloody destiny and perhaps, we will have our annihilation in the same fashion. We are fated to failure and our perpetual misfortune has been deceptively fused with our metopic suture. Allah chooses leaders from the people as they deserve. We are as public immeasurably stupid , ignorant and abjectly corrupt. That’s why, our governments hurt us instead of helping us and our judges who are supposed to administer justice become the source of corruptions, injustice and evils. The judges for their own egos and self-agrandisemnet or looking at the delectable carrot of Chief of Cartaker Government (CTG) etc, did some colossal mischief during the recent politicized verdicts. They didn’t heed to conceive the consequences of their wrongful verdicts.

We have seen immediate past ex-chief justice Mr. Tofazzal Islam how he doctored himself during the verdict of Sheik Mujib murder case. It was interesting to note, he was rewarded the post of chief-justice after he maintained the hanging order of the accused killers from lower court. I call that verdict as a historic bull-****. If it had been real trial, perhaps, they would have been absolved there would have been different types of punishment based on the merit of the crime, from different jail-terms to death sentence. We have seen the mockery of justice, All or None Law. We have seen chief justice, Mr. Islam did not drop his **** (verdict) fully to the ground and kept it dangling aound his bottom ( did not put signature on the verdict) until he got the announcement of government as the chief -justice. Our justice system has been corrupted over time for very many reasons. By the way, one late Chief Justice of Supreme court cum president of Bangladesh, my father-in-law’s friend, once very seriously advised me to have a house of my own in Dhaka city by any means, no matter, by honest or ill-earned income. I got offended, outraged and qualm by such ill-advice from a people of such high stature. I was about to spit on his face but eventually I gulped back the lump of spit, thinking the adverse consequence. May Almieghty Allah forgive him.

Now Hinda (Hasina) government and her super law-minister managed to get the 5th amendment verdict in favor of them making Zia’s presidency and all the activities of his government illegal. They are drumming up to go back to 1972 constitution. But, what is 1972 constitution! It was in fact, a counterfeit document. I do apologize to make analogy of it with male genital organ (MGO) . The Phallus/MGO is the proud part of man, so can be a constitution to a country. A MGO is to serve the man, not other way round. So, is the constitution for a country and its people. For the benefit of the nation, constitutional refinement and amendment, many a times, is a necessity. A constitution is sacred and respected document but not unalterable one like the holy books of faiths. A constitution should stand out holding the hopes and aspiration of people. Otherwise, a constitution can be less worthy then old news papers or books, We can make multiple usages of old papers from books and news papers like grocery packets for salt, sugar, wheat or beans, but not with rejected dust-drawn constitution, if it fails to serve the purpose. We don't see the pages from condemned constitution to be used in groceries or by hawkers to pack the peanuts, puffed- rice or roasted chick-peas.

A constitution can be harmful than anything else one can imagine about, shouldn’t it is crafted to contain the core values of humans and the population it is meant for. 1972, constitution was such a document. It didn’t reflect real spirit of Bangladeshi people. 1972 constitution was made by MNA and MPs who were voted for constitution of Pakistan and East Pakistan, not by elected representatives of Bangladesh. It was a document dictated by India-Russia axis incorporating their social, economic and political philosophies and agenda. The framers or scribers of that constitution claim that it was the spirit of our independence. Such assertion is nothing but a consummate lie. The then electorate of East Pakistan did not know anything about secularism, Bengali nationalism etc. They heard thousand times about democracy, about economic and political emancipation, and about 6-points demand of Sheik Mujib, for which people overwhelmingly voted him.

If people would have known and believed in secularism and socialism, then perhaps, National Awami Party (NAP) of Muzaffar or Communist Party of Moni Singh could be the victorious in 1970’s election. Even they didn’t believe in Bengali Nationalism. Sheik Mujib participated in 70’s election under Legal Framework Order (LFO), in other words with commitment of united Pakistan. If people have any suspicion that voting for Sheik Mujib would have led to cession of Pakistan, Awami League could not have even bagged 10 seats . That’s why Sheik Mujib had to refute the propaganda of his opponents that he was a separatist, by invoking the name of Allah (Allahr Kasam). And any declaration of independence of Bangladesh by Sheik Mujib before the crackdown or his arrest would have been illegal, treacherous and seditious, for which he could be hanged to death. And that’s why late Indira Gandhi in her campaign speech for independent Bangladesh in Columbia University had to emphatically mention that Sheik Mujib had the only crime that people voted for him; and the Bengali people did not have the declaration of independence before the military crackdown and arrest of Sheik Mujib.

However, after independence, things have been changed so dramatically. A constitution was framed as dictated from outside disregarding the real spirit of independence and what people wished and wanted to have in the constitution. They tried forcefully to plant new spirit in people’s mind that utterly failed. They started to impose a spurious spirit of independence that we fought against our dearest religion Islam, we fought for socialism, secularism and Bengali Nationalism. Truism is that we didn’t have any real inspiration and plan for the fight. The war was imposed on us and due to horrendous mistakes from both sides; and we fought for survival and fought against atrocities and economic injustice. If people had fought against Islamic values and belief, then how come, people prayed Nafal, fasted Nafal and recited from Holy Koran with sincere supplication to Allah for His help in our independence and release of their dearest leader Sheik Mujib!

For its so called 4 principal pillars, 1972 constitution by its own character had lost his putative appeal and sacredness. Moreover, there should have referendum on the basic pillars of constitution. Whatever the 1972 constitution wasm, it was further molested by its father-figure framer Sheik Mujib through BAKSAL, the 4th amendment. By the way, Dr Kamal Hussein is said to be the principal author of 1972 constitution and I called him TMCCC (the most coward constitutional clerk). If he had the little guts, vision and capacity to understand the mindset of 85% Bengali Muslim he didn’t have copied thousands of worthless pages from constitution of other nations. If he had the good amount of grey matter he could have shown ingenuity of authorship holding the hopes and aspiration of the newly liberated nation. The mess started from the beginning, with the writing of the misguided document.

As people didn’t accept 1972 constitution, when Zia made 5th amendment with drastic change in core character of 1972 constitution, people unreservedly accepted that. And then further elemental amendment “Islam, the state religion” made by Ershad and that was also accepted by people in the similar way.

A constitution can be amended for minor changes for its refinement and beautification as circumcision is done with MGO. By the way, a circumcised MGO looks more aestheic and safer healthwise. But no one can coronectomize(cut off of the head) nor shaftectomize (chop off the body) of a phallus. Sheik Mujib had successfully circumcised it 1st, 2nd and 3rd times but did too coslty blunder at the 4th time by coronectomizing it, that is, head part, the democracy was butchered through BAKSAL; and it was further reduced to non-existence by Zia and Ershad by cleaving off its right and left shafts. In other words, the 1972 constitutional phallus has been totally chopped off by successive 3 surgeons, Sheik Mujib, Zia and Ershad. The medical science has advanced phenomenally but we did not know, as of now, any surgeon has dared to or been successful to transplant a human MGO.

Barrister Shafique and his boss Hasina are going to take a historical new venture of transplanting once chopped off constitutional organ. I don’t dare dreaming the success of such constitutional transplant. Rather, I believe, it will be dearly rejected by strong Government-Vs-People reaction. Yet, we are waiting to see how Hinda or Hasina plays with the phallus and what is her skills and experience with phallus-game.

Abusa M. Seraj, USA
E Mail : jacobi2007@gmail.com

http://www.bangladesh-web.com/view.php?hidRecord=308111

 

[eastwatch]

The New Nation - Internet Edition

Salary boost for bigwigs: President, PM, ministers get 83 pc pay rise
UNB, Dhaka

The remunerations of the President, the Prime Minister, ministers and the high-ups in eight other constitutional posts are geting up to 83 percent raise as the cabinet Monday approved a government proposal for the high-ups' pay hike.

State ministers, deputy ministers, the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker, the Chief Justice and the judges of the Appellate Division and the High Court Division of the Supreme Court, and Members of Parliament are the other high-profile persons geting the rise in their pay and perks.

The cabinet endorsed the increased remuneration package at its weekly meeting held at the Prime Minister's Office with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair. The cabinet meeting also decided to increase their allowances, Press Secretary to the Prime Minister Abul Kalam Azad told reporters in a press briefing after the meeting.

He said, "The cabinet took the decision in view of the changed economic condition of the country and the recent salary hike for the public's servants."

The basic salaries of government officials and employees were raised 52 percent, on average, in the seventh national pay scale implemented recently, fixing the highest salary at Tk 40,000 and the minimum Tk 4,100. The highest increase was 74 percent

Following implementation of the new pay scale for the highest echelon in the republic, the salaries of the Principal Secretary and the Establishment Secretary will also have an 83 percent increase, Azad said.

The President's (Remuneration and Privileges) Act 1975, The Prime Minister's (Remuneration and Privileges) Act 1975, The Ministers, Ministers of State and deputy Ministers (Remuneration and Privileges) Act 1973, The Speaker and Deputy Speaker (Remuneration and Privileges) Act 1974, The Supreme Court Judges (Remuneration and Privileges) Ordinance, and The Members of Parliament (Remuneration and Privileges) Order have to be amended by parliament to implement the changed pay package.

Old Remuneration New Remuneration

President Tk 33,400 Tk 61,200

Prime Minister Tk 32,000 Tk 58,600

Minister Tk 29,000 Tk 53,100

State Minister Tk 26,100 Tk 47,800

Deputy Minister Tk 24,650 Tk 45,150

Speaker Tk 31,000 Tk 57,200

Deputy Speaker Tk 29,000 Tk 53,100

Chief Justice Tk 30,500 Tk 56,000

AD Judge Tk 29,000 Tk 53,100

HC Judge Tk 27,000 Tk 47,000

MP Tk 15,000 Tk 27,500