[mukto-mona] Fwd: A teacher's stand by Sanjeeb Hossain (Daily Star)

A teacher's stand Sanjeeb Hossain, Today's events at the court were no different from that of yesterday. The Judge once again framed charges and the four Dhaka University Professors were accused of violating the Emergency Power Rules 2007. As you can quite clearly see, nothing new. However something did happen today. My father after the submissions of the lawyers sought permission from the Judge to say a few words. His few words ended up as what I would term it as one of the most historic speeches made in a court of law. I do not remember all of it but here is what I remember of it in English: "In my 33 years as a teacher of the Dhaka University , I have always held my head high. There is not a single incident which will indicate that I failed as a teacher or as a human being. However, it would not be appropriate to say that there is not a 'single' incident. In 1976, I along with my brother Colonel Abu Taher (Bir Uttam) and others were tried by a Special Military Tribunal. My brother was hanged and I was sentenced to jail along with others. That was possible because the Special Military Tribunal was not an independent one and everyone knew that what was going on was a sham in the name of the law. Well, here I am again before a court of law facing another trial. The conditions however are very much different now. The judiciary of Bangladesh is independent now after years of struggle. The Judge that stands before me has the opportunity to do what is right. He has been given the independence to give his verdict without intimidation or pressure. I swear with my hand across my heart that I have not done anything wrong during the incident that sparked off from the Dhaka University . It was my moral duty to extend my hand of support to my distressed students and if I ever get the opportunity to do it again I will. I did it in 1990 during the fall of Ershad, I did it in 2001 when the police entered Shamshunnahar Hall and beat up our female students. I did it again on August 20, 21, 22 and 23, 2007. The four teachers that stand before you have not stood before the government in any way. We only tried to solve the problem, we tried to calm the students, not lead them astray. The Honourable Judge, before you make your decision, you cannot forget that not all laws are laws, not all trials are trials, unless they are accepted by the people. (Shob ain ain nah...shob bichar bichar na..jodi na sheta manusher kache grohonjoggo hoi) I would like to conclude reciting a poem of Jibanananda Das called 'Odbhut Adhar Ek'. The teachers and students of Dhaka University will not be fed to the vultures and hyenas. (Dhaka Bisshobiddyaloyer kono shikkhok othoba kono chattra shokun or sheyal er khaddo hobe nah) Honourable Judge, May you do the rightful."

 

Nuruzzaman Manik, Freelance Journalist
Pls vist my article page: http://www.mukto-mona.com/Articles/n_manik/index.htm
                                    http://www.satrong.org/Nuruzzaman%20Manik.htm
A life unexamined is not worthliving.-Socrates

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