Three Articles Worth Reading

First, Professor Muntasir Mamun tells some hard truths about this military government and the effect of their lying and manipulation with regards to the students and teachers of Dhaka and Rajshahi University:

When students and teachers of our universities were arrested and tortured with the most trivial of excuses, a lot of people predicted that they would be released soon. Although the matter is personal, I mention it because it is related to the current article. I said - no, they won’t be released. And I predicted the same in my writings. To those who were enthusiastic because Dr. Fakhruddin speaks excellent Bangla and listens to Tagore songs, I told them, Hitler used to tremble at the sight of blood. When some people were giving fulsome thanks to the heavens that an army-supported government had assumed power, when some people, assuming that all Bangladesh’s problems would now be solved, were doing everything but jumping in the branches like monkeys, I told them, again, there is nothing such as an army-supported government. Was the previous government one bereft of army support, then? And I concluded, when we will all be stripped, then you will understand. I really don’t hear much nowadays from the people who who were so faint with happiness previously. But I do see, that they speak to the army-supported newspaper, which fits so well with the army-supported government, and they proclaim that it is of the utmost imperative that presidential rule be proclaimed in our country. They feel quite uncomfortable otherwise. Besides, apparently this uneducated country of ours is not ready for democracy. As if the people who would step in then, would be so much more educated.

Badruddin Umar expounds on the current situation of the three of the most  analyzes the long-term implications of this military government:

The presence of a democratic government, even a tyrannical elected government, allowed discussions, meetings, processions and other opportunities of venting anger and frustrations to our countrymen. During the emergency rule that this military-supported government has imposed, such opportunities are markedly absent. Thus what the students workers, farmers, and students are doing is in complete violation of the current emergency proclamation. Although the students are trying to contravene the emergency rules as little as possible during their processions, workers and farmers have no such luxury, given that they are struggling for their very livelihoods. If the current emergency situation is lengthened to any extent, then it seems quite apparent, according to current developments, that the students will soon join the farmers and workers in their protests. No matter how many times the current government tells us that this unrest is due to domestic and foreign conspiracies, it is quite apparent to everyone that these movements are borne out of genuine grievances. They are the reactions to some actions.

And finally, Syed Abul Maqsud makes what will probably be prophetic comments about the upcoming dialogues, and reminds us just a bit about how we got into our current mess in the first place:

I feel like singing the old Nazrul song: some forget the memories of old, and some cling to them. How can I forget the memories of just eighteen months ago? Not all fault can be be deposited on Khaleda Zia and Iajuddin. The other day, a old leader said, we are not responsible for 1/11. What a tremendous theater was staged around Justice K. M. Hasan. Unimaginable sums were earned in just one week of auctioning off nominations, amounts that probably even Tata or Birla don’t earn in one week. Suddenly, Muftis and Bulbuli Mawlana became favored house-guests of our oh-so progressive leaders. Had 1/11 not happened, Bulbuli Mawlana would a cabinet minister in charge of some important ministry today. A new party was formed the day before the four-party alliance left power. The exultation this party received from both English and Bangla media would be a matter of envy to even leaders like Nelson Mandela. Both Bangla and English magazines devoted column-space describing the leader of that party as the messiah of our nation. And who can forget the exultation of our columnists the day the military coup took place in Thailand. Sticks, rows, and guns were stacked in the streets of Dhaka. Busloads of women street activists were brought from Daulatdia terminal. A two-storied bus was bombed. The ace of spades vanished in the wind. Ershad took turns taking favors from his sister-in-law and his sister. Leaders of the (4 + 14) 18 parties scarcely had time to dine at their own residences. After dining at the Baridhara palace, leaders of BNP, Awami League, JP, and Jamaat would come emerge smiling and leave in their expensive SUVs. The Tuesday Troublemakers were constantly feted. These scenes are not easily forgettable. The representative of the empire repeatedly warned us, if we do not accept Justice Hasan, we would be in big trouble.