Felany: The Symbol Of Subjugation!
Jasmine Darling Of Millions
Jasmine is not a name of a pretty young women neither is she a society girl who mesmerises the elites of oppressive regimes. She is definitely a fearless inspiration for dignity and liberation. In the past she also tempted people in the guise of 'orange' 'velvet', in Tunisia she appeared as Jasmine.
Monowar Hussain Badrudduza
Jasmine is not a name of a pretty young women neither is she a society girl who mesmerises the elites of oppressive regimes. She is definitely a fearless inspiration for dignity and liberation. In the past she also tempted people in the guise of 'orange' 'velvet', in Tunisia she appeared as Jasmine. Yes, these are the names of revolutions, Orange, Velvet, Jasmine, let alone mentioning the Islamic revolution.
Felany a much loved daughter, a girl - symbol of motherhood and continuity of human race, an aide to her father, a hope - returning among her own people, towards a safe place she can claim as hers, a young woman in the making, a citizen of a liberated country that sacrificed millions of her precious souls that one day Felany's of the future can enjoy the dignity, safety and security without any fear. Sovereign, Independent, liberated Bangladesh that was Felany's home, identity. The protection of this martyr young lady was the responsibility of the state and its government. This very state's Prime Minister and the citizen Felany are nothing but equal in front of the Almighty, the constitution of the country and all that come with human rights.
What is the state doing in this regard, we let her down while she was alive, and can we at least not ask for a serious judicial investigation by the government, public apology from the Indian government and compensation for the Felany's family? A regret and sorry will not suffice as it is not the first murder of Bangladeshi citizens by a neighbouring country claims to be democracy.Let me take you through about what happens when regimes dispense their citizen's lives without a price, disregard peoples legitimate anger and just demands.
The uprising in Tunisia could not solely be explained through the people's reaction against corruption, price hike, unemployment and a difficult economic situation. The regime alienated from the people, country's leaders failed to embrace its citizens, lack of justice and freedom, prioritising foreign interests over national interest.
Existing problems not only in Tunisia but many other developing countries including Bangladesh stem from the absence of such an approach that the administration does not embrace their people. There are a lot of other things &ndash particularly numerous problems in regards to rights and freedoms. The administrators and ruling parties will take heed and make the necessary assessments on these, if they are wise.
A self-immolation incident that triggered the unrest which brought down Tunisia 's leader has led to apparent copycat protests in other North African states, with four men setting themselves on fire in Algeria and one in Egypt . In Cairo , a man set himself ablaze on Monday near the parliament to protest poor living conditions. The unrest is also spreading to Jordan and Palestinian Territories (PA).
Why and how people become so fearless even some can contemplate on self immolation? Let me take you back in the process of 'making of the regimes'!
He is 84 years old. He has been the president for about 30 years. Today, it is rumoured that he will leave this post to his son as if it were a dynasty. In other words, democracy is not present in the country even in its smallest representation. His name is Hosni Mubarak the country under his feet is Egypt.
His name is Abdelaziz Bouteflika. He is 73 years old. The president of Algeria. As a by-product of the bloody political scene created by the Western-backed army that cancelled the elections when the Islamic opposition won them in 1991, he has been in office since 1999.
His name is Muammar al-Gaddafi. He is 68 years old. He has been sitting in the presidential seat since the military coup he undertook as a young military officer aged 27, i.e., almost 42 years.
His name is Mohammed. He has no surname, but a number: VI. He is 47 years old. Morocco has been ruled by his grandfather, father and Mohammed VI as if it were their personal property. For 11.5 years, King Mohammed VI's words are law. That is, he is the law and he is the power.
His name is Omar al-Bashir. He is 67 years old. He took over the government in a bloodless coup in 1989. He has been ruling Sudan since then. Almost 22 years.
His name is Abdullah. He, too, has no surname, but a number: II. He is 48 years old. He became the king of Jordan when his father King Hussein died after ruling the country for 46 years. He has been sitting on the throne for almost 12 years.
His name is Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. He is 74 years old. He could only resist the public protests for 27 days in Tunisia, a country he had been ruling with an iron fist for 23 years.
There are so many semi and complete dictatorships spread across the developing world and countless iron-fisted leaders in these countries that it is impossible to draw an exhaustive list of them here. Now, these regimes are on shaky ground. And now, people are talking about the possibility of other regimes that have problems similar to Tunisia's facing unpreventable popular uprisings as in a domino effect. "The Jasmine revolution in Tunisia is to Arab countries what the tearing down of the Berlin Wall was to the Soviets," they say. Indeed, the lack of democracy, hunger for freedom, unemployment, poverty, police brutality, politicised judiciary and other restrictions that exhausted the patience of people, urging them to rebel, can be found also all over the developing nations.
It is crystal clear fact that Zine El Abidine Ben Ali -- who had sent opposition leader Rashid Al-Ghanouchi, into exile -- was now sent by the public into exile, says many things. Of course, it speaks to those who are eager to listen.
The Tunisian incident offers serious lessons for both the regimes in the Middle East and South East Asia , but also for those in the West who lend them support. Everyone should understand that suppression of the popular will, oppression and tyranny cannot be maintained for ever. Democratic channels must be open to the greatest extent so that the public's demands can be expressed freely. Indeed, the world is heading toward a platform that will not tolerate dictatorial regimes wearing 'democratic garb'. Western countries must abandon their double standard attitudes in ignoring the cries of the oppressed people for genuine democracy.
It is high time for the international community to become heartfelt supporters of genuine democratic reforms in the region particularly in Bangladesh, before Felany's who are alive, becomes Jasmine.
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