Dr. Bain's comments tells me that, in my last sarcastic comments, I did not clarify my points enough; hence confusions. I was looking for a cultural identity for the people of Bangladesh. I explored 3 conventional identities (Bangalee, Bangladeshi, and Moderate Muslim), which have been used in the past to represent the people of Bangladesh. But, none of them seemed to encompass all people. As a result, the identity crisis still remains, and we do not know who we are. After Bangladesh was born, our cultural identity (Jatiota) was Bangalee, and our nationality was also Banglalee. Ershad changed our nationality to Bangladeshi. The motive was to include all the people of Bangladesh, so he told us at that time. Was it really the motive? If that was true – all non-Bangalee Biharis should have been citizen by now, and Father Tim, the former Principal of Notre Dame College, would have been citizen already. If you say that our nationality is Bangladeshi - then we should grant citizenship to any permanent resident of Bangladesh, if they seek one. In my view, it was done purposefully to defuse pre-independence secular mindset, and neutralize the Bangalee-Jatiotabadi spirit, the spirit of independence movement. As you know, Quranic verses and state religion (Islam) were also introduced in the secular constitution right around that time. Dr. Bain, Bangalee-Jatiotabadi spirit has been the driving force behind all movements in the East Pakistan since the language movement in 1952. Even though Sheikh Mujib was not seeking independence at the beginning, but his movement was fueled by the Bangali-Jatiotabadi spirit. This is the spirit that still can unite the mjority in Bangladesh. That's why - I have been asking Awami League to revive that spirit for their sake. Thanks for your comments. Love to hear from you. Don't be a stranger. Jiten Roy
--- On Wed, 9/21/11, Sukhamaya Bain <subain1@yahoo.com> wrote:
From: Sukhamaya Bain <subain1@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [mukto-mona] HAVOC CREATED BY JAMATI'S !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
To: "mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com" <mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com>
Date: Wednesday, September 21, 2011, 1:52 PM
Greetings to the Mukto-Monas; I am writing here after a long time. While I agree with Dr. Jiten Roy's observation that Awami League cannot decide on a set of political principles, I see quite a few problems in his points. JRoy: "That (Bangladeshi) won't work either, because – then non-Bagalees could claim citizenship in Bangladesh." My Comment (SB): Is there something wrong having non-Bangalees as citizens of Bangladesh? The way I see it, the tribal people of the CHT are not Bangalees; it is wrong to make them identify themselves as Bangalees. And of course, the Bangalees of West Bengals are very much Bangalees. To me, as a national identity for the people of Bangladesh, Bangladeshi is more appropriate than Bangalee. Of course, I am de-emphasizing the messengers (Zia and Ershad) here; I am also de-emphasizing their emphasis of not identifying ourselves as close to the Bangalees of West Bengal. JRoy: Not calling Bangladesh a 'moderate Muslim country', because 'it's against the spirit of independence movement'. SB: Wrong emphasis, Dr. Roy. Bangladesh should not be called a 'moderate Muslim country', because that denies the the non-Muslims of that land their due recognition/rights. BTW: I think this 'spirit of independence movement' has been way overblown by the fraudulent minds of our intellectuals. Most of the population and leaders of East Bengal embraced the two nation theory of the creation of Pakistan in 1947. The superiority complex and the resulting discrimination, hatred and barbaric atrocities of the West Pakistani brothers left no choice but independence for the Bangalee Muslims of East Bengal. Secularism was not the reason for wanting Bangladesh; although it was the right thing as a pillar for the 1972 constitution, and it would always be a right thing. JRoy: "At one point in around 1970, we exactly knew who we were" SB: Really? The fact is that even our father of the nation wanted to get the legitimate rights of the Bangalees within the Pakistan framework, not as an independent Bangladesh. But the Pakistani military brutality left us with no choice but independence. Our independence was ensured more by the brutes of Pakistan than by 'we exactly knew who we were'. Let honesty and dispassionate looks at facts guide the free minds (mukto mons). Sincerely, Sukhamaya Bain From: Jiten Roy <jnrsr53@yahoo.com>
To: mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, September 20, 2011 8:10 PM
Subject: Re: [mukto-mona] HAVOC CREATED BY JAMATI'S !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mr. Musa Hossein has displayed frustration about politics (Jamat or BNP or Awami League) in Bangladesh, which tells me a lot about the current government. It appears that Awami League (AL) is suffering from political identity crisis. How about if we set a goal to make Bangladesh a Homeland for Bangalees? What a novel idea! Isn't it? Some people will say – not so fast, because - if all those Bangalees from Parchimbanga comeback to claim citizenship in Bangladesh, what will we do at that time? OK, let's call us Bangladeshi instead of Bangalee, which is one of many genius ideas of Ershad. So, Bangaldesh will be a Land of Bangladeshis. That won't work either, because – then non-Bagalees could claim citizenship in Bangladesh. How about calling Bangladesh a moderate Muslim country, which is the BNP theme? That's not acceptable to many either because it's against the spirit of independence movement. The truth is we are confused about our national identity. We are not sure about who we are. It was not like this always. At one point in around 1970, we exactly knew who we were, and what we exactly wanted. We have thrown away our national identity after the independence of Bangladesh, and, soon after, we forgot who we are. The symptom of such amnesia started to display first in Bangabondhu, when he decided put one leg in the socialist-boat and the other leg in the OIC-boat. Slowly, the spirit of Bangalee-nationalism started to dissipate from Bangladesh. Now, we find it difficult to utter "Joy Bangla," many people, in fact, are allergic to these words. While BNP and Jamat have their well defined political identities, Awami League cannot decide on a set of political principles to define their identity. That is what I see in their policies and practices. Devoid of a set of political principles, the politics of AL is just a damn big hodge-podge, which is destined to create frustration in people, just like Mr. Hossein. Jiten Roy -- |
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