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Wednesday, August 12, 2009

[ALOCHONA] Re: The Fatal Attraction.

[[By destroying the Twin Towers, bombing Madrid trains and London tube how far have you defeated your enemies?]]

By directly accusing me for the 911 attacks if Akbar thinks that he can silence the world of freedom to question and dissent that 911 was orchestrated by Bush and his puppets Tony Blair, Rice, Mueller, Tenet, Rumsfield and Bush's puppets qualition of willing scavengers then I think, he is mistaken. Read this, you can't silence me into submission because I am exalted with the information that would clearly slaughter your ignorance about the 911 attacks.

Just the Bush's regime didn't require any proof to accuse Saudis and Egptians for the 9/11 attacks and why did US government immediately point the finger at Bin Laden, yet refuse to release the evidence? and now this Abkar is soo sure and is accusing me whether I have defeated my enemies by destroying the Twin Towers. That's a very serious charge and I take it very seriously.

I feel Akbar's supremacism is unacceptable and refuse to accept it. As for me, finding and telling the truth is the highest interest.

The truth of 911 is according to former Sen Bob Dole's chief of staff, very successful senior counselor, lawyer Stanly Hilton has unmasked the Bush junta. The following transcript of Radio Interview with Stanley Hilton by Alex Jones. All honor to Stanley Hilton for risking his life so that we may know the truth of 9/11.

This (9/11) was all planned. This was a government-ordered operation. Bush personally signed the order. He personally authorized the attacks. He is guilty of treason and mass murder. - Stanley Hilton

And I ask Mr. Akbar also to verify the following videos, so that he can slaughter his own ignorance but not the person who challenges his unprincipled rogue, conscienceless and unrestrained behavior.

The following videos were made available by the media to show the whole world:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6714356054823827684
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVH5jm06pJY&feature=related

For more videos, you can use youtube or google to search as "the secret evil of 911", "911 was an indside job", and "controled demolition" etc.

--- In alochona@yahoogroups.com, Akbar Hussain <akbar_50@...> wrote:

I am happy that rather than dumping me as an anti Islam, a Zionist
agent or an infidel (a very favourite word used by some so called Islamic humanists) you have expressed your sincere opinion. For sure you can resort to anything to free yourself from occupation and enslavement as you are doing it now by massacring your own brothers and sisters in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

God willing your emancipation is not far. It's just a matter of how many more you need to kill. Your struggle is headed by the true believers like Osama bin Laden, Ayman al Zawahari, Mullah Omar and Baitullah Mehsud. By now in Iraq almost a hundred thousand innocent people has been killed, if you think the shias are to be killed to purify Islam, please go ahead. Condemn me and encourage those mindless thugs.

When Iraq was invaded by stupid Bush where was your Muslim ummah? The custodian of Mecca and Medina are to be praised for their silence. By destroying the Twin Towers, bombing Madrid trains and London tube how far have you defeated your enemies? By constructing more mosques and compelling the women to wear hijab and niqab could you frighten your foes? Wake up, try to be equal to your adversaries, learn from them how they defeat their foes. Do not follow the vicious mullahs, follow your intellect and when you enter the mosque do not leave your brain outside along with your shoes. Ask questions, demand
explanations, do not allow the imam to instil fear into your heart. Follow faith not fables or a cult. Suicide bombing will not bring emancipation, search your own soul. Don't be mad at me; slaughter your own ignorance not the person who challenges your unscrupulousness.


Akbar Hussain
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> To: alochona@yahoogroups.com
> From: arrad@...
> Date: Tue, 11 Aug 2009 07:27:40 +0000
> Subject: [ALOCHONA] Re: The Fatal Attraction.
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> The word Islam is not a religion, nor Islam does not imply a faith nor does it constitute a culture. The enemies of peace[Islam] can propagate whatever they choose to mean by it but the word Islam can't be a religion, nor a faith or a culture. The word Islam is just an idea which means "peace" or "how to make peace" nothing more and there are many ways to achieve its end and the Quran is a book for guidance to those who seek its[peace's(islam's)] guidance to achive peaceful coexistance among many nations or many tribes. These distinction must be instigated to those who born to be cynical of other cultural heritage.
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> Anyone could be disappointed at others' cultural heritage as did Akbar's brother, even Geeta and Veda were also disappointed for those idolworships who are acutally embraced and are performing paganic rituals while Geeta and Veda asked their followers not to do that. Does Akbar's brother take a issue with that too? Where is Akbar's outrage?
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> Akbar wrote: [[He complained why the Muslims find pleasure in the past only while disregarding the importance of the contemporary times in which they live.]]
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> Can Akbar hossain conherently explain why do christians, Hindus, Buddhas and Jews take pleasures in the events of the past as well? Does the importance of the contemporary time only belong to the Muslims alone? By the way what are the contemporary events that are being disregarded or ignored by the Muslims? Does Akbar not live in contemporary time while disregarding it? while clinging on a muslim name by him, does he not spitting his own saliva on his own face? Who is he tring to fool? Him or gullible of his kind?
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> Akbar wrote:[[This tendency to seek happiness in the bygone days is a dramatic turn in the Muslim psyche.]]
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> As if Akbar kinds don't have a tendency to seek happiness in the bygone days. what a joke. perhaps his kinds' psyche is fully fantasizing only for the unknown future events while pretend that he never had the bygone days. what a rediculous assertion! And wonder why does a griny old fellow should wink at the bygone days while counting his expiration date approahing?
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> Akbar wrote: [[This is ridiculous that non Arab Muslims disregard their own culture by shamelessly embracing pagan Arab cultures.]]
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> By the way what are the pagan-arab cultures anyway? And what are the traditions that the non-arab muslims has disregarded? What specific cultural events that he is suggesting for the non-arab muslisms which won't fit to redicule his culture?
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> Can he sketch a cultural blue print for non-Arab Muslims that does not embrace pagan cultures such as idol-worshipping? by the way, does he consider idolworshipping as pagan's culture?I heard and read that pagans used to idolworship as is the case with those who live near the river indus basin. Does it not ridicule mr. Akbar's conscience seeing those real pagans are performing those real pagan rituals?
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> Hope he does not redicule himself by not being forthcoming with the proper responses for those above questions have been raised for his cultural relativities to survive. I remind him that the paganic ritual of idol worshipping is not an option for his cultural relativity to survive.
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> Akbar wrote: [[While discussing the contemporary mindset of the some ultra zealous Islamic ideologists with a friend of mine who is a very energetic supporter of this growing platform,]]
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> My response: For those who support the doctrine of the war is peace are the most ultra zealots ideologues can find any Islamic doctrine inconsistent with peaceful coexistence.
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> Anytime anyone is enslaved, or in any way deprived of his liberty, if that person is a human being, as far as I am concerned he is justified to resort to whatever methods necessary to bring about his liberty again.
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> Akbar is using the Alcohona forum to create a humanitarian image, for a devil, or a devil image for a humanitarian. He takes a person whose a victim of the crime, and make it appear he's the criminal, and He is taking the criminal and make it appear that he's the victim of the crime.
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> _________________________________________________________________
> More storage. Better anti-spam and antivirus protection. Hotmail makes it simple.
> http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9671357
>


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[ALOCHONA] Padua calm as BSF retreats after BDR protest



Padua calm as BSF retreats after BDR protest
Staff Correspondent

Courtesy New Age 13/8/09

 

The situation on the Padua frontier in Pratappur returned to normal on Wednesday, a day after the Indian border guards tried to occupy a large swathe of land triggering tension on the borders.
   Brigadier general Obaidul Haque, deputy director general of the Bangladesh Rifles, told New Age on Wednesday night that tension was defused as the BSF left the area they had intruded into.
   Quoting colonel Akhtaruzzaman, commander in the Sylhet sector headquarters of the BDR, New Age correspondent in Sylhet on Wednesday reported that the members of the Border Security Forces of India retreated on Tuesday afternoon after members of the Bangladesh Rifles went there and asked them to leave the Bangladesh territory.
   ‘Situation in Padua and Pratappur has returned to normal Tuesday evening,’ the BDR official said after returning to Sylhet from the spot.
   He said the Indian border guards, who intruded into the Bangladesh territory and tried to occupy about 200 acres farmland along the Padua and Pratappur frontiers, had left the area in the face of resistance from the BDR.
   Colonel Akhtaruzzaman said that on Tuesday evening he had talked with the BSF’s deputy inspector general in Shillong in the Indian state of Meghalaya over phone about the BSF’s intrusion.  
   ‘A flag-meeting at the battalion commander-level between the border guards of the two countries will be held soon to discuss the issue,’ he said.
   But locals in Jaintapur frontier area said that the Bangladesh Rifles had intensified patrol in the area from Tuesday afternoon, following the incident.
   About 80 BSF members along with 30 to 40 Khasia tribesmen crossed into the Bangladesh territory at midday Tuesday and tried to occupy some 250 acres of farmland in Padua ignoring the warning signal of BDR personnel.
   They retreated after the BDR promptly built up resistance, the sources said.  
   The Indian side claimed ownership of over 500 acres of land close to border pillars number 1270, 1271, 1272, 1273.
   The BDR personnel made an instant protest, hoisted red flag and asked the BSF intruders to quit the Bangladesh territory. The BSF men, who at first declined to leave the area, retreated after the BDR issued a red alert.

 




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[ALOCHONA] Law and order dips across country



Law and order dips across country
Arif Newaz Farazi

Courtesy New Age 13/8/09

 

The law and order situation has deteriorated sharply in recent weeks in capital Dhaka and elsewhere across the country though the state minister for home affairs, Shamsul Haque Tuku, on Tuesday reiterated the government’s resolve to root out crime.
   The law enforcing agencies have totally failed to contain the rising crimes like murder, mugging, snatching, burglary and extortion despite the enhancement of security measures and police vigilance.
   Statistics available with Dhaka Metropolitan Police suggest an alarming rise in incidence of crime in the city during the last month.
   Intelligence sources said criminals who reportedly enjoy the patronage of some local ruling party leaders have formed small bands to carry out their criminal activities.
   Teenage youths, who are not on the police list of criminals, get involved in crimes like extortion, abduction, mugging and other forms of crime, police sources said.
   Armed muggers shot dead a flour mills manager, Towhidul Alam, 32, and injured employee Mintu Babu, 51, while looting Tk 10 lakh at Agrabad in Chittagang on Tuesday.
   In Dhaka, armed assailants slaughtered rent-a-car businessman Abdul Haque, 40, inside his car in front of Balaka Bhaban near Zia International Airport on Tuesday morning.
   Police suspected the assailants might have killed him over previous enmity.
    In Kushtia, police recovered severed heads of Ayub Ali, 35, Joad Ali, 27, and Abdul Kaiyum, 45, in front of the Kushtia Roads and Highways Department office on Monday morning.
   Police later recovered their bodies from Sonaidangi in sadar upazila, 20 kilometres from Kushtia town.
   Police claimed that outlawed Gano Bahini had committed the murder to ensure their supremacy in the area.
   The latest police count reveals that 36 people were killed in July in Dhaka city alone. Besides, 59 cases of mugging were lodged with different police stations here.
   Alarmed by the sudden rise in crimes, Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner AKM Shahidul Hoque told New Age, ‘Police and different intelligence agencies have been deployed to patrol the city streets round the clock… We have geared up efforts to ensure security of the city dwellers ahead of Ramadan.’

 





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[mukto-mona] Code of Conduct for MPs by Saber Hossain Chowdhury (MP)



 

Will MPs lead the challenge for change?

 
IF Bangladesh politics is indeed to move away from business as usual mode and usher in and embrace qualitative changes for the better, parliament will need to be the focal point for all debates, discourses and discussions on all matters of national importance.
 
The extent to which parliament can deliver and be seen to be doing so, will in turn be determined by the commitment of its members -- the MPs -- to the agenda for change, which received a historical and overwhelming mandate in the December 2008 elections.The House has many responsibilities but one specific duty that it performs on behalf of the nation is the duty is to speak for, and ask questions on behalf of, the public.
 
It is the MPs who have to do this job, amongst others, and whilst they rightly enjoy many privileges and sweeping powers, MPs themselves in many parliaments have chosen to regulate their action and conduct by self-imposition of standards of behaviour and codes of ethics expected of them through agreeing to formal codes of conduct or ethics.
 
Putting in place a general code of conduct to bring about a qualitative change in politics is an electoral pledge of Bangladesh Awami League (as articulated in its manifesto) and a code only for MPs has also been raised as an issue in various seminars and media articles.
 
If MPs of the Bangladesh parliament are to act as real catalysts of change in the national sphere, I believe they must do so by setting the right examples and demonstrating traits of leadership. Agreeing to and adopting a code of ethics, which would govern and guide their actions and conduct, would be a huge step forward for the institution of parliament as well as elevating the status and dignity of parliamentarians in Bangladesh.
 
Whilst mere existence of a parliament does not in itself guarantee practice of democracy, it is equally true that there can be no hope for democracy without parliaments.
 
MPs -- the life force of parliaments -- are ultimately responsible to their electorate, which is the final arbiter of the conduct of representatives that it elects, and the electorate of course has the right and opportunity to express its views at regular elections.
 
MPs must, accordingly, acknowledge their responsibility to maintain the public trust and confidence placed in them by performing their duties with honesty and integrity, respecting the law and the institution of parliament and using their best endeavours to advance the common good of the people of Bangladesh.
 
Recent events in Westminster -- the cradle of parliamentary democracy -- involving MPs from both the Treasury and the Opposition in a catalogue of scandals and financial irregularities is a stark reminder that democracy cannot and should not be taken for granted, and we have to remain ever vigilant and guard against possible abuses.
 
Per Universal Declaration of Democracy adopted by Geneva based Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU): "Public life as a whole must be stamped by a sense of ethics and by transparency, and appropriate norms and procedures must be established to uphold them."
 
It is in this spirit of accountability and ensuring transparency that I have submitted a Private Member Bill in the parliament to the speaker on code of conduct for MPs.
 
The purpose of this proposed code is, on the one hand, to assist MPs discharge their obligations to parliament, their constituents and the public at large by providing guidance on the standards of conduct expected of them in discharging their parliamentary and public duties, and in so doing providing the openness and accountability necessary to reinforce public confidence in the way in which members perform those duties.
 
By virtue of the oath taken by all members when they are elected to the parliament, they have a duty to uphold strictly and unexceptionally the law of the land and to act on all occasions in accordance with the public trust placed in them.
 
Members have a general duty to act in the interests of the nation as a whole; and a special duty to their constituents. It is absolutely critical and imperative that they must at all times ensure that they perform their public duty and parliamentary duties in an objective manner and without consideration of personal and financial interest and gain.
 
The Bill stipulates seven general principles and traits that should guide and govern an MP's conduct (and there is no reason why the same set of principles should not apply to elected public representatives at all tiers of local government):
 
Selflessness: Holders of public office should take decisions solely in terms of the public
 
interest. They should not do so in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family or their friends.
 
Integrity: Holders of public office should not place themselves under any financial or other obligation to outside individuals or organisations that might influence them in the performance of their official duties.
 
Objectivity: In carrying out public business, including making public appointments, awarding contracts, or recommending individuals for rewards and benefits, holders of public office should make choices solely on merit.
 
Accountability: Holders of public office are accountable for their decisions and actions to the public and must submit themselves to whatever scrutiny is appropriate to their office.
 
Openness: Holders of public office should be as transparent and as open as possible about all the decisions and actions that they take. They should give reasons for their decisions and restrict information only when the wider public interest clearly demands.
 
Honesty: Holders of public office have a duty to declare any private interests relating to their public duties and to take steps to resolve any conflicts arising in a way that protects the public interest.
 
Leadership: Holders of public office should promote and support these principles by leadership and example.
 
Dealing with conflict of interest situations is a major challenge for public representatives everywhere and, given that in Bangladesh 63% of MPs in the 9th Parliament are businessman by profession (self included), this is an area where self-regulation by MPs is vital.
 
The Bill proposed by me has a clear provision of disclosure and defines conflict of interest situations and what is expected of MPs in such instances, as follows:
 
A conflict of interest exists where a member participates in or makes a decision in the execution of his/her office, knowing that it will improperly and dishonestly promote the member's private interest or another person's private interest directly or indirectly.
 
A conflict of interest also exists where the members execute, or fail to execute, any function or duty, knowing that it will improperly and dishonestly benefit their or another person's private interests directly or indirectly.
 
Members are individually responsible for preventing conflicts of interests and must carry out their official functions and duties and arrange their private affairs and lives accordingly to prevent such conflicts of interest arising.
 
MPs must take all reasonable steps to declare any conflict of interest between their private financial interests and decisions in which they participate in the execution of their office. This may be done through declaring their position when speaking on the matter in the parliament or a committee, or in any other public place, in an appropriate manner.
 
The proposed legislation emphasises proper conduct and relation with regard to dealing and interacting with ministers and public bodies, and also covers bribery, gifts, use of public resources, confidential information and the conduct expected of MPs thereof.
 
On the matter of "freedom of speech" within the parliament, the Bill states that the members must be mindful of privileges conferred when speaking in Parliament and should consciously avoid causing harm to any individual who does not enjoy same privileges.
 
The Bill requires that members should not knowingly mislead the parliament or the public in statements they make, and imposes an obligation upon them to correct Parliamentary records as soon as possible when incorrect statements are made unintentionally.
 
The Bill seeks to promote a healthy working environment in the parliament and requires that members must apply high standards of behaviour and consciously avoid personal abuse and denigration of Parliamentary colleagues.
 
In the event MPs fail to measure up to the standards of ethics and conduct as expressed in the code and are in breach of any provision thereof, the Bill provides for a mechanism to respond to such situations through the formation of a parliamentary ethics committee that will be headed by the speaker and comprise of nine members drawn from the treasury and opposition benches on a proportionate basis to their strength in the House.
 
Anyone can file a written complaint to this committee against the conduct of an MP, and the ethics committee can also take into cognisance reports of allegations against him/her as published in the print and electronic media. The MP against whom allegations are made will be duty bound to cooperate fully with any enquiry the committee may undertake.
The Bill also requires that the ethics committee submits an annual report to the House.
Now that Bangladesh has a Right to Information law, it will hopefully facilitate greater transparency, and this should extend to the realm and domain of MPs and their public duties.
 
Change must be championed and owned by the very top, and passing of this Bill and having in place a legislation that regulates the conduct of MPs would be a very powerful testament to the commitment and sincerity of the MPs themselves in owning and leading the agenda, challenge and quest for change.
 
Unfortunately, Bangladesh's history is one of missed opportunities and, as far as opportunities come, the present is as good as any we have ever had. Rather than just hoping, I would like to believe we will, in fact, make the most of this opportunity.
The time to, and for, change is therefore now.
Saber Hossain Chowdhury is a Member of Parliament.
E-mail: saberchowdhury@yahoo.com.



__._,_.___


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Mukto Mona plans for a Grand Darwin Day Celebration: 
Call For Articles:

http://mukto-mona.com/wordpress/?p=68

http://mukto-mona.com/banga_blog/?p=585

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VISIT MUKTO-MONA WEB-SITE : http://www.mukto-mona.com/

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"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it".
               -Beatrice Hall [pseudonym: S.G. Tallentyre], 190




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[ALOCHONA] Code of Conduct for MPs by Saber Hossain Chowdhury (MP)



 

Will MPs lead the challenge for change?

 
IF Bangladesh politics is indeed to move away from business as usual mode and usher in and embrace qualitative changes for the better, parliament will need to be the focal point for all debates, discourses and discussions on all matters of national importance.
 
The extent to which parliament can deliver and be seen to be doing so, will in turn be determined by the commitment of its members -- the MPs -- to the agenda for change, which received a historical and overwhelming mandate in the December 2008 elections.The House has many responsibilities but one specific duty that it performs on behalf of the nation is the duty is to speak for, and ask questions on behalf of, the public.
 
It is the MPs who have to do this job, amongst others, and whilst they rightly enjoy many privileges and sweeping powers, MPs themselves in many parliaments have chosen to regulate their action and conduct by self-imposition of standards of behaviour and codes of ethics expected of them through agreeing to formal codes of conduct or ethics.
 
Putting in place a general code of conduct to bring about a qualitative change in politics is an electoral pledge of Bangladesh Awami League (as articulated in its manifesto) and a code only for MPs has also been raised as an issue in various seminars and media articles.
 
If MPs of the Bangladesh parliament are to act as real catalysts of change in the national sphere, I believe they must do so by setting the right examples and demonstrating traits of leadership. Agreeing to and adopting a code of ethics, which would govern and guide their actions and conduct, would be a huge step forward for the institution of parliament as well as elevating the status and dignity of parliamentarians in Bangladesh.
 
Whilst mere existence of a parliament does not in itself guarantee practice of democracy, it is equally true that there can be no hope for democracy without parliaments.
 
MPs -- the life force of parliaments -- are ultimately responsible to their electorate, which is the final arbiter of the conduct of representatives that it elects, and the electorate of course has the right and opportunity to express its views at regular elections.
 
MPs must, accordingly, acknowledge their responsibility to maintain the public trust and confidence placed in them by performing their duties with honesty and integrity, respecting the law and the institution of parliament and using their best endeavours to advance the common good of the people of Bangladesh.
 
Recent events in Westminster -- the cradle of parliamentary democracy -- involving MPs from both the Treasury and the Opposition in a catalogue of scandals and financial irregularities is a stark reminder that democracy cannot and should not be taken for granted, and we have to remain ever vigilant and guard against possible abuses.
 
Per Universal Declaration of Democracy adopted by Geneva based Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU): "Public life as a whole must be stamped by a sense of ethics and by transparency, and appropriate norms and procedures must be established to uphold them."
 
It is in this spirit of accountability and ensuring transparency that I have submitted a Private Member Bill in the parliament to the speaker on code of conduct for MPs.
 
The purpose of this proposed code is, on the one hand, to assist MPs discharge their obligations to parliament, their constituents and the public at large by providing guidance on the standards of conduct expected of them in discharging their parliamentary and public duties, and in so doing providing the openness and accountability necessary to reinforce public confidence in the way in which members perform those duties.
 
By virtue of the oath taken by all members when they are elected to the parliament, they have a duty to uphold strictly and unexceptionally the law of the land and to act on all occasions in accordance with the public trust placed in them.
 
Members have a general duty to act in the interests of the nation as a whole; and a special duty to their constituents. It is absolutely critical and imperative that they must at all times ensure that they perform their public duty and parliamentary duties in an objective manner and without consideration of personal and financial interest and gain.
 
The Bill stipulates seven general principles and traits that should guide and govern an MP's conduct (and there is no reason why the same set of principles should not apply to elected public representatives at all tiers of local government):
 
Selflessness: Holders of public office should take decisions solely in terms of the public
 
interest. They should not do so in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family or their friends.
 
Integrity: Holders of public office should not place themselves under any financial or other obligation to outside individuals or organisations that might influence them in the performance of their official duties.
 
Objectivity: In carrying out public business, including making public appointments, awarding contracts, or recommending individuals for rewards and benefits, holders of public office should make choices solely on merit.
 
Accountability: Holders of public office are accountable for their decisions and actions to the public and must submit themselves to whatever scrutiny is appropriate to their office.
 
Openness: Holders of public office should be as transparent and as open as possible about all the decisions and actions that they take. They should give reasons for their decisions and restrict information only when the wider public interest clearly demands.
 
Honesty: Holders of public office have a duty to declare any private interests relating to their public duties and to take steps to resolve any conflicts arising in a way that protects the public interest.
 
Leadership: Holders of public office should promote and support these principles by leadership and example.
 
Dealing with conflict of interest situations is a major challenge for public representatives everywhere and, given that in Bangladesh 63% of MPs in the 9th Parliament are businessman by profession (self included), this is an area where self-regulation by MPs is vital.
 
The Bill proposed by me has a clear provision of disclosure and defines conflict of interest situations and what is expected of MPs in such instances, as follows:
 
A conflict of interest exists where a member participates in or makes a decision in the execution of his/her office, knowing that it will improperly and dishonestly promote the member's private interest or another person's private interest directly or indirectly.
 
A conflict of interest also exists where the members execute, or fail to execute, any function or duty, knowing that it will improperly and dishonestly benefit their or another person's private interests directly or indirectly.
 
Members are individually responsible for preventing conflicts of interests and must carry out their official functions and duties and arrange their private affairs and lives accordingly to prevent such conflicts of interest arising.
 
MPs must take all reasonable steps to declare any conflict of interest between their private financial interests and decisions in which they participate in the execution of their office. This may be done through declaring their position when speaking on the matter in the parliament or a committee, or in any other public place, in an appropriate manner.
 
The proposed legislation emphasises proper conduct and relation with regard to dealing and interacting with ministers and public bodies, and also covers bribery, gifts, use of public resources, confidential information and the conduct expected of MPs thereof.
 
On the matter of "freedom of speech" within the parliament, the Bill states that the members must be mindful of privileges conferred when speaking in Parliament and should consciously avoid causing harm to any individual who does not enjoy same privileges.
 
The Bill requires that members should not knowingly mislead the parliament or the public in statements they make, and imposes an obligation upon them to correct Parliamentary records as soon as possible when incorrect statements are made unintentionally.
 
The Bill seeks to promote a healthy working environment in the parliament and requires that members must apply high standards of behaviour and consciously avoid personal abuse and denigration of Parliamentary colleagues.
 
In the event MPs fail to measure up to the standards of ethics and conduct as expressed in the code and are in breach of any provision thereof, the Bill provides for a mechanism to respond to such situations through the formation of a parliamentary ethics committee that will be headed by the speaker and comprise of nine members drawn from the treasury and opposition benches on a proportionate basis to their strength in the House.
 
Anyone can file a written complaint to this committee against the conduct of an MP, and the ethics committee can also take into cognisance reports of allegations against him/her as published in the print and electronic media. The MP against whom allegations are made will be duty bound to cooperate fully with any enquiry the committee may undertake.
The Bill also requires that the ethics committee submits an annual report to the House.
Now that Bangladesh has a Right to Information law, it will hopefully facilitate greater transparency, and this should extend to the realm and domain of MPs and their public duties.
 
Change must be championed and owned by the very top, and passing of this Bill and having in place a legislation that regulates the conduct of MPs would be a very powerful testament to the commitment and sincerity of the MPs themselves in owning and leading the agenda, challenge and quest for change.
 
Unfortunately, Bangladesh's history is one of missed opportunities and, as far as opportunities come, the present is as good as any we have ever had. Rather than just hoping, I would like to believe we will, in fact, make the most of this opportunity.
The time to, and for, change is therefore now.
Saber Hossain Chowdhury is a Member of Parliament.
E-mail: saberchowdhury@yahoo.com.



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[ALOCHONA] Do we Bangladeshi realize that ?





Bangladesh is the seventh largest country in the world . Do we Bangladeshi realize that ?



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[mukto-mona] Fwd: Workers Party and Nirmul Committee on Tipaimukh





---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <info@ukbengali.com>
Date: Wed, Aug 12, 2009 at 12:45 PM
Subject: Workers Party and Nirmul Committee on Tipaimukh
To:


Workers Party on Tipaimukh
http://portal.ukbengali.com/?q=node/185

Nirmul Committee on Tipaimukh
http://portal.ukbengali.com/?q=node/186

Workers Party and Nirmul Committee  on Tipaimukh





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[ALOCHONA] Ruling party cadres out to grab business, demand toll



Ruling party cadres out to grab business, demand toll

Jubo League cadres clashed with rivals for possession of a fish trading centre in Barisal yesterday while Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) men snatched tenders from contractors in Manikganj the day before.

In another incident in Jessore yesterday, ruling party cadres assaulted opposition BNP men allegedly for refusing to pay illegal toll.

In Moulvibazar, a case was filed against 20 people yesterday on charge of snatching tender documents.

Our Barisal correspondent reports: At least 10 people were injured as two rival groups of Jubo League cadres clashed for control of a fish trading centre in Hizla upazila yesterday.One faction was led by Tawhid Ahmed Shikdar, president of Harinathpur union Jubo League, and the other by Tarek Hossain, its joint secretary.

Police and witnesses said they clashed with lethal weapons at Nacchkathi fish trading centre in the afternoon.The injured include activists, fishermen and fish merchants. A shop was ransacked and looted during the incident.

Tawhid claimed that the fish trading centre was legally run by him for long while his opponent Tarek tried to capture it yesterday by attacking and looting. Tarek, however, refuted the allegation and said the centre belonged to the local fish traders.

In Manikganj, leaders and activists of BCL snatched tender papers at the local LGED office when the contractors were going to drop them on Tuesday.

Failing to drop the tender papers, Dayan Khan of Air Engineering Service, who had come from Dhaka to drop the tender papers, filed an FIR with Manikganj Sadar Police Station, reports our correspondent.

According to FIR, BCL activist Anjan and others took Dayan and project manager of their farm to a corner room and confined them in it. Later they snatched the tender documents and gave them death threat if they try to drop the tender or seek police help.

The contractors also submitted written allegations to the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) authorities in this regard.The executive engineer of LGED was not available for his comment.

BCL men recently abducted a contractor from the Manikganj municipal office when he went there to drop tender papers. They also beat him up mercilessly.

A correspondent in Jessore reports: Farazi Motiar Rahman, Abhyanagar unit convener of BNP, Rafiqul Islam, general secretary of Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal unit, and three others were injured in attacks allegedly by cadres of the ruling Awami League (AL) at Nawapara industrial town yesterday for what they claimed refusing to pay illegal toll.

Locals said a number of ruling party cadres attacked Rafiq with iron rods near Nawapara High School at around 12:30pm. When Farazi noticed the matter and came to his rescue the terrors also beat him up. The attackers left the spot after injuring Sramik Dal's Rafiqul Islam critically. They also beat up BNP activists Babu, Tuhin and Sumon. Rafiq said the AL men attacked him as he refused to pay the toll demanded by them on Tuesday.

Our Moulvibazar correspondent reports: The executive engineer of the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) yesterday filed a case against 20 'unknown criminals' for snatching tender documents.

Executive Engineer Habibul Aziz told reporters that a gang of about 20 took away papers of a Tk 2-crore work when they were opening the tender box on Tuesday noon. Amulyo Kumar Chow-dhury, OC at Moulvibazar Sadar Police Station, said they are investigating the matter.



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[mukto-mona] Rethinking the Dalit Muslim Movement: Khalid Anis Ansari



Rethinking the Dalit Muslim Movement

BY KHALID ANIS ANSARI

The Pasmanda Movement (PM) refers to the contemporary caste/class movement among Indian Muslims. Though the history of caste movements among Muslims can be traced back to the commencement of the Momin Movement in the second decade of the twentieth century it is the Mandal decade (the 1990's) that saw it getting a fresh lease of life. That decade witnessed the formation of two frontline organisations in Bihar—the All India United Muslim Morcha (1993) led by Dr. Ejaz Ali and the All India Pasmanda Muslim Mahaz (1998) led by Ali Anwar—and various other organisations elsewhere. Pasmanda, a word of Persian origin, literally means 'those who have fallen behind', 'broken' or 'oppressed'. For our purposes here it refers to the 'dalit' and 'backward' caste Indian Muslims who constitute, according to most estimates, 85% of Muslim population and about 10% of India's population.

By invoking the category of 'caste' Pasmanda Movement (PM) interrogates the notion of a monolithic Muslim identity and consequently much of 'mainstream' Muslim politics based on it. By and large, mainstream Muslim politics reflects the elite-driven symbolic/emotive/identity politics (Babri Mosque, Uniform Civil Code, status of Urdu, the Aligarh Muslim University and so on) which thoroughly discounts the developmental concerns and aspirations of common Muslim masses. By emphasising that the Muslim identity is segmented into at least three caste/class blocks—namely, ashraf (elite upper-caste), ajlaf (middle caste or shudra) and arzal (lowest castes or dalit)—PM dislodges the commonplace assumption of any putative uniform community sentiment or interests of Indian Muslims. It suggests that just like any other community Muslims too are a divided house with different sections harbouring different interests. It stresses that the emotive issues raised by elite Muslims engineer a 'false consciousness' (to use a Marxian term) and that this euphoria around Muslim identity is often generated in order to bag benefits from the state as wages for the resultant de-politicisation of common Muslim masses. When PM raises the issue of social justice and proportional representation in power structures (both community and state controlled) for the pasmanda Muslims it lends momentum to the process of democratisation of Muslim society in particular and Indian state and society in general.

Besides, the PM also takes the forces of religious communalism head on: one, by privileging caste over religious identity it crafts the ground for fomenting solidarities with corresponding caste/class blocks in other religious communities, and, two, by combating the notion of a monolithic Muslim identity it unsettles the symbiotic relationship between 'majority' and 'minority' fundamentalism. In short, PM holds the promise of bringing back Muslim politics from the abstract to the concrete, from the imaginary to the real, from the heavens to the earth!

But despite these brave promises PM has been unable to make the impact that was expected of it. Any mass movement must strive to maintain a balance between the 'social' and 'political'. The pioneers of caste movements—Jotiba Phule, Periyar EV Ramaswamy or B R Ambedkar—were quite alive to this notion. Apart from raising radical political demands like the one for a separate electorate for the depressed castes, Ambedkar is also remembered for social campaigns like the Mahad Satyagraha and also for raising labour and gender issues on more than one occasion. Periyar too raised the social question when inspired by a rationalist worldview he put to fire religious texts (which he considered exploitative) on the streets of Madras. Phule too defied the standard conventions of his day when he decided to open a school for the education of girls. One can scarcely fail to notice the vigorous social and cultural critique of Indian society that they offered both in theoretical terms and in action. The PM has unfortunately not taken this aspect seriously.

Right from the days of the All India Momin Conference (its pre-eminent leader being Abdul Qayyum Ansari) way back in the 1930's to its present post-Mandal avatars, the PM has singularly concentrated on affirmative action (now the politics around Article 341 of the Constitution) and electoral politics at the expense of other pressing issues. It has been completely ineffective in developing a comprehensive alternative social/cultural/economic agenda and the corresponding institutions and mass mobilisation that it necessitates. As a result of this perennial weakness it has failed to preserve an independent outlook and has incessantly been subsumed by one political formation or another. If the Momin Conference was assimilated by the Congress, both Ali Anwar and Ejaz Ali have been co-opted by Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal (United) in Bihar. Moreover, it has been lackadaisical in forging alliances with corresponding caste/class movements in other communities thereby shying away from the task of forming a broad coalition of suppressed communities across religious identities or the Bahujan alternative as Phule labelled it. Consequently, it remains captivated by its limited electoral agenda and has been transformed into an easy route for realising the petty political ambitions of the nascent middle-class elite in pasmanda communities.

Need to Focus on Social

If the PM is to do justice to its potential, it is imperative that it incorporates the social into its agenda. I can think of at least three interventions in this regard as of now, and all of them flow from the main features of caste system itself. The caste system is premised on three essential features: (a) the principle of hierarchy in accordance with the elaborate rules of purity-pollution as registered and legitimized in the canonical religious texts; (b) endogamy; and (c) hereditary occupational specialization. These three features apply to the Muslim community too in varying degrees. While caste as a principle of social stratification is not acknowledged in the Holy Quran (the inclusion of a close category 'class' is a contentious issue though) but for all practical purposes it operates as a category in the Islamic juristic/legal corpus and interpretative tradition as it has evolved in India (See: Masood Alam Falahi, Hindustan Mein Zaat Paat Aur Musalman (in Urdu) (Delhi: Al Qazi Publishers, 2007)). Moreover, there is some evidence to suggest that the process of Islamisation has only worked to reinforce rather than weaken or eliminate caste distinctions.  Endogamy is still rampant in Indian Muslims as the various matrimonial columns in the newspapers/internet testify. As far as the link of caste with hereditary vocation is concerned the market economy has eroded it to some extent but still a large number of pasmanda Muslims find themselves engaged in caste-based callings.

Due to the above mentioned trajectory of caste in Indian Muslims, the task for the PM seems clearly cut-out. One, it must offer a critique of the Islamic interpretative tradition as it has evolved in India and if possible construct an alternative Islamic hermeneutics from the perspective of the marginalised. The dalit/bahujan movement has often rejected Hindu religion in totality and located its philosophical and ideological roots in the Indian mode of dialectical-materialist discourse and in their day-to-day interaction with nature. Hence, its epistemology has had a strong material basis and also inclination to link itself to the production process of the Indian subcontinent as expressed historically in the discourses of Lokayats or Buddhism. The PM, however, has correctly critiqued and protested the casteist interpretations of Islam forwarded by the Indian ulema and has reclaimed the strong emphasis of Islam on social equality. But what is its take on economic equality on which Islam is presumably silent? Is it willing to interrogate the interpretative methodologies of ''imperial'' Islam which has been bequeathed us and is being constantly indoctrinated to pasmanda students via the obfuscating and unimaginative curriculum and pedagogical practises in Islamic seminaries (madrasas)? Is it willing to discover the rationalist and progressive trends in Islamic history (the Mutazila and Qaramita for instance)? How does it relate to the materialist tradition in Indian society as earlier mentioned? How does it relate to the liberation theology movements in contemporary Islam in other locations (in South Africa for instance)?

 Two, broad campaigns and effective social interventions need to be undertaken to encourage inter-caste marriages (and also love marriages!) in Muslim society. There is a strong link between caste and patriarchy in India. By resorting to these measures caste politics will be engendered and set on the libratory track.

 Three, a rigorous analysis of the Muslim working class is imperative and strategies must be designed accordingly. The entire politics of reservations concentrates on challenging the monopoly of upper-castes in the organised public sector which constitutes only a small—though privileged—segment of the job market. While this is essential it only affects society indirectly by democratising the state in the long run. A majority of pasmanda Muslims, however, work in adverse conditions and depressed wages in the unorganised sector (which constitutes about 90% of Indian employment) either as labourers in sectors where caste plays a minimal role (farms, brick kilns, construction industry, bidi manufacture, etc) or in caste determined vocations (as weavers, potters, oil-pressers and so on). The PM would do well to make common cause with movements that are working towards narrowing this huge gap between the organised and unorganised sector at a macro level and also think of organising caste based occupations in cooperatives or retraining those skilled workers whose traditional skills have dated and no longer generate an appropriate demand in the market.

However, I must stress here that the above mentioned suggestions are provisional in nature and not well-formed intellectual positions as yet and I merely offer them here for a debate among individuals and groups who sympathise or are connected to the PM is some way. Also, many more issues could be taken up and added to the list—for instance, education, health, environment, models of development, art, popular media et al immediately come to my mind.

Reconsider Icons

Besides, I also feel a need to reconsider the icons that have been selected by the PM because the semiotics of any movement arguably defines and circumscribes its politics. Three personalities have usually been celebrated by the movement: Baba-e-Qaum Abdul Qayyum Ansari, Veer Abdul Hameed and Ustad Bismillah Khan.

 Abdul Qayyum Ansari, who belonged to the julaha (weaver) community, challenged the ''two-nation theory'' and Muslim League politics squarely but failed to see through the caste/class composition of the Congress politics and was ultimately subsumed by it. Abdul Hameed, who belonged to the darzi (tailor) community, was awarded with the highest gallantry award Paramveer Chakra posthumously for his bravery and martyrdom in the Indo-Pakistan war of 1965. Ustad Bismillah Khan, who belonged to the halalkhor (sweeper) community, as we all know, was a renowned musician.

I do not intend to underestimate their achievements but it must be said that all these icons are problematic in terms of their libratory impact. While Abdul Qayyum Ansari's career ended in a political compromise and could not transcend the immediacy of electoral politics, Abdul Hameed's contribution entails a danger of succumbing to apologetic nationalism (as was evident in the emotive slogans and songs inspired by his life that were rendered in the Pasmanda Waqaar Rally held in Patna recently on 1 July 2008). Moreover, Bismillah Khan's symbol is so innocuously apolitical as to make us speculate if it serves any purpose at all. 

Can the PM move beyond these icons and rediscover more libratory figures in history? Can Kabir—with his working class background, his unflinching critique of both 'Hindu' and 'Muslim' religious pretensions and obscurantism and above all his explicit positioning against the caste system—be offered as a candidate here? Can other libratory symbols from Islamic and Indian history fit the bill?

All in all, the crux of the argument submitted here is that PM needs to grow beyond quota politics and rethink its abnegation of the social/cultural/economic aspects of the movement. Along with its present accent on democratisation of the state it would do well to also consider the more far-reaching issue of the democratisation of society at large. PM needs to engage in a balancing act between the political and social.  This will create the much desired synergy necessary for launching the libratory promise of PM on track.

[The author is a member of a research-activism group called The Patna Collective. He can be reached at khalidanisansari@gmail.com. This article was published in the Economic and Political Weekly, March 28, 2009, Vol. xliv no 13.]

 

 

 

 

  

 

Mai Dasi Kabira Ki

Pothi Padh Padh Kar Jag Mua, Pandit Bhayo Na Koye
Dhai Akhar Prem Ke, Jo Padhe So Pandit Hoye

Spending one's life reading the scriptures, no one becomes wise
He becomes wise on reading a single word of love




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[mukto-mona] Remembering Humayun Azad



 
Regards
Avijit



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[mukto-mona] CC Update 12, August- India's Nuclear Submarine and Starving Children

Hello,

If you find this news letter useful, kindly forward it to your friends and encourage them to join this mailing list.
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In Solidarity
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21st Century Climate Blueprints
By Andrew Glikson

http://www.countercurrents.org/glikson120809.htm

The severe disturbance of the energy balance of the atmosphere ensuing from the emission of over 320 billion tonnes of carbon since 1750 threatens a shift in the state of the atmosphere/ocean system to ice free greenhouse Earth conditions

Should Indian Leaders Who Spend Billions On Submarines While Others Starve Go Unpunished?
By Jay Janson

http://www.countercurrents.org/janson120809.htm

Indian Prime Minister Mammohan Singh launched a 3 billion dollar nuclear submarine. A submarine made at the cost of taking bread from the mouths and life from the chests of Prime Minister Singh's fellow citizens. India is a gigantic torture chamber for the 47% of its children under five who suffer malnutrition

Endless War: The Suicide Of The United States
By Dahr Jamail

http://www.countercurrents.org/jamail120809.htm

Soldiers are returning from the occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan destroyed mentally, spiritually, and psychologically, to a general population that is, mostly, willfully ignorant of the occupations and the soldiers participating in them. Troops face a Department of Veterans Affairs that is either unwilling or unable to help them with their physical and psychological wounds, and they are left to fend for themselves. It is a perfect storm of denial, neglect, violence, rage, suffering, and death

Another Soldier Refuses Afghanistan Deployment
By Dahr Jamail

http://www.countercurrents.org/jamail120809A.htm

Sgt. Travis Bishop, who served 14 months in Baghdad with the 3rd Signal Brigade, faces a court-martial this Friday for refusing to deploy to Afghanistan

Why Won't Universal Healthcare Be Provided?
By Emily Spence

http://www.countercurrents.org/spence120809.htm

The heath-care debate is not about care at all. Instead, it's about the amount of profits that government, HMO and pharmaceutical leaders are personally willing to give up. Accordingly, it's clear that many Congressional representatives have no interest in evaluating even a few of the successful models of universal coverage that numerous other countries can provide. Instead, they are, typically, in collusion with big business to stymie any meaningful reforms

Religious Fundamentalism In Israel
By Stephen Lendman

http://www.countercurrents.org/lendman120809.htm

Israeli extremists are a minority but influential enough to make policy, and therein lies the threat to peace and likelihood of a sovereign Palestinian state

India Adds Insult To Endosulfan Injury
By B F Firos

http://www.countercurrents.org/firos120809.htm

New Delhi's shamelss act at Stockholm Convention angers enraged victims who seek court help

Cracks Emerging In NAFTA
By Shamus Cooke

http://www.countercurrents.org/cooke120809.htm

The once-solid North American Free Trade Act (NAFTA) is starting to show its age. The 1994 trade agreement that laid the foundation for the economic/political integration of North America is encountering serious internal ruptures, threatening future "progress."

11 August, 2009

US Military And Intelligence Agencies Identify Climate Change As "National Security" Threat
By Patrick O'Connor

http://www.countercurrents.org/oconnor110809.htm

US military and intelligence agencies are studying the strategic implications of global warming, including preparations for military interventions, the New York Times reported Sunday

Climate Change: Get Smarter:
Turbocharging Democracy Online
By Bill Henderson

http://www.countercurrents.org/henderson110809.htm

Only a couple of months to Copenhagen and it's not looking hopeful. Real change must begin and be lead by the US and "( d)enial , mistrust and uncertainty are among the key psychological reasons that the American public is still resistant to serious action on climate change, according to psychologists"

Another Jolt To Democracy In Burma
By Bobby Ramakant

http://www.countercurrents.org/ramakant110809.htm

Despite growing global pressure for the release of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi in Myanmar (Burma), she was sentenced to another 18 months' house arrest by a court in Rangoon


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