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Monday, August 22, 2011

[ALOCHONA] An Indian Uprising




Indian Spring? fascinating read ...Who ever said springs come only under dictatorships? The largest democracy on earth has its own springs too! This time though, it will probably sweep through. At least that is the hope!


An Indian Uprising
By Amaresh Misra
August 2011
This unholy alliance between managers and dalaals actually epitomizes Indian political culture, beyond any single party. This alliance fails to understand mass dynamics. It, for instance failed to see that the past twenty years of economic reforms have created a new desire for political reforms.
Corruption, which was mainly restricted to certain sections of the government sector, extended to the corporate sector, the bureaucracy, judiciary, lower levels of the Police establishment, the stock market, education, health, each and every government office, the banking sector, aviation, and the political class. The line between politics and business, politicians and criminals, became blurred. Politics was seen increasingly as consisting of money-media-muscle power.
For the first time, especially by 2000s, people started feeling that dalaals-corporate representatives, English speaking charlatans and criminals have seized and taken over the only avenue left to people: the Indian Parliament. This was the last straw.

Anna Hazare (Kisan Bāburāv Hajārē ?)  An Indian social activist who is recognized for his participation in the 2011 Indian anti-corruption movement, using nonviolent methods following the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi.

 

" Through Anna, Indian people have given the message that they no longer trust the Parliament. The hope and energy that the Anna movement has generated, the new democratic space for mass movement that it has created, will outlive Anna and the present surge. The combination of urban and rural discontent can create an explosive revolutionary situation in India. New players from amongst the people will emerge and take over the reins of politics."
          Till a chubby, fragile, ageing Gandhian reminded India the power of mass movements, several myths about political action had built up, especially since the beginning of the liberalization era in the early 1990s. The media today would like to see itself as the hair-bringer of the revival of the Indian street. But this same media, over the past two decades was painting an entirely different picture before Indians.

Time and time again commentators and columnists used to remind us that since economic liberalization pumped in capital in the Indian market and society, the era of mass protests and people oriented politics is over. We were told with repeated emphasis that what politics needs is deft management and gloss, not the dust and heat of streets, alleys and villages. The organizing skills of an advertiser, the smooth English of party spokespersons, the economist's approach towards political issues, the administrative approach towards people's issues, the technocratic juggling of numbers, the bureaucratic interpretation of constitutional issues was considered more important than a direct feedback from people and their socio-economic life.

Jan lokpal 4.jpg

Protesters take part in protests at Jantar Mantar in Delhi.

 
           It is only the bureaucratic-technocratic-economist-managerial mindset that could have stopped enquiry into a simple issue like the Batala House encounter, as it would `lower the morale of the police'; it is again the same mindset that would think of sending the army to combat Maoism in Chattisgarh and Central India; politicians of yore  would have laughed at clichés mounted by contemporary political honchos as the ABC of politics tells you that in a Parliamentary democracy what the electorate wants is more important than administrative issues like police morale—and you do not send armies to resolve contradictions with your own people.

It is again the technocratic-bureaucratic-economist-managerial mindset that seeks to deal with a political tactic like fast unto death with arguments like the `Parliament is sovereign', it is `people vs Parliament', `Anna Hazare should talk to the standing committee', and the like. The Indian constitution begins with the line `we the people'; it does not say `we the Parliament'. It should have been obvious to all that according to the Indian constitution, sovereignty rests with the people, and the Parliament represents them. Moreover, simple political logic would tell you that in a democratic country like India, it is undemocratic to curb mass initiatives with conditions. When a political party applies for permission for a mass rally or meeting in any Indian district, does the district magistrate or the police ask for the number of people the party purports to bring to the ground, the exact issues it is going to raise, how, why and the like? Has any political person of any party heard of such absurdity?
The truth is that the bureaucratic-technocratic-economist-managerial mindset got its social sciences wrong. In effect, it tried to erase the study and discourse of liberal arts and political economy in the public arena. When statistics like 70% Indians earning only Rs. 20 a day came out, it remained just that: a figure. There was little debate-discussion within government or the new post-liberalization intellectual circles about the political implication of the statistic—that behind these numbers lies the suffering, agony and simmering rage of people who breathe and think and who are likely to  see through the economic disparities created by the new economic policies introduced in the early 1990s.

The same bureaucratic-technocratic-economist-managerial approach was visible in the debate over the Sacchar Committee report. Again statistics ruled the roost. The fact that for the dominant minority, these statistics hid a long history of neglect, pain and suffering—and that this minority would react politically—did not become a matter of avid debate: a sort of warped statisticalization of hard reality became the norm on other pressing issues of farmers, MNREGA corruption, and similar problems.
Worse, political leaders with a bureaucratic-technocratic-economist-managerial mindset were encouraged by all parties—especially Congress and BJP. This led to BJP's defeat in 2004 and the now the Congress stands at a crucial crossroad. The greatest tragedy of the Congress has been that party managers did not allow a hard-boiled, rugged, real-world Indian politics, commensurate with the pro-poor policies of Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, to prosper. Congress managers smothered their own baby. They torpedoed the agenda and political vision of their own leaders. If backed by popular-hardboiled politicians, linked to ground realities, Sonia Gandhi's pro-poor policies would have led to a Congress tsunami in the Hindi-heartland, a revival seen only in the Indira Gandhi days. But the managerial approach forced disconnect with the people. It encouraged all sorts of shady-broker-dalaal elements to flourish and take over the reins of the party at the state and district level, eclipsing mass leaders representing the poor and the middle classes.

This unholy alliance between managers and dalaals actually epitomizes Indian political culture, beyond any single party. This alliance fails to understand mass dynamics. It, for instance failed to see that the past twenty years of economic reforms have created a new desire for political reforms.

In the pre-liberalization era, the Indian society, following the mixed economy logic, was plagued more by nepotism, the sifarish, rather than the rishvat culture. Films of the 1970s, which railed against sifarish, are enough to prove the point. Barring the top layer of establishment, money as such did not play such a big part; in the post-liberalization era, the amount of money pumped into the economy increased ten-fold; privatization created a scope for crony capitalism, and corruption became related directly to capital generation.

Corruption which was mainly restricted to certain sections of the government sector, extended to the corporate sector, the bureaucracy, judiciary, lower levels of the Police establishment, the stock market, education, health, each and every government office, the banking sector, aviation, and the political class. Hoarding, illegal trading and the black market, which constituted the underground of the 1970s, entered the mainstream. The life of the common man became unbearable. A new class of employees earning between Rs. 8,000 and Rs. 25,000 did emerge to create a new, huge market. But by 2006-2007, this class began to feel the pinch of crony capitalism, as rents, prices of medicines, health and basic middle classes facilities like transport, petrol, diesel, gas prices skyrocketed       

The line between politics and business, politicians and criminals, became blurred. Politics was seen increasingly as consisting of money-media-muscle power. The concept of `masses' and mass power in the political equation disappeared. This was really incredible—because India, unlike many third world countries, has a flourishing Parliamentary Democracy. Several times over the past 64 years, Parliamentary Democracy has saved India from upheavals as it allowed mass representatives to be elected. For the first time, especially by 2000s, people started feeling that dalaals-corporate representatives, English speaking charlatans and criminals have seized and taken over the only avenue left to people: the Indian Parliament. 

This was the last straw. This is why people did not the buy the logic that Parliament is a distinguished enough forum to frame bills and laws. Through Anna, Indian people have given the message that they no longer trust the Parliament. This is very much a constitutional-democratic and not an anti-democratic, anti-constitutional fascist urge. With 14% members accused of serious crimes including rape and murder, the Indian Parliament is in a serious state of crisis. What the people on the streets want is not an abrogation of post-Independence Parliamentary Democracy, but a revival of its most hallowed traditions through sweeping and radical reforms. These may include everything from the Jan Lokpal bill (citizens' ombudsman bill), to the right to recall MPs to electoral reforms and the like. Political reforms are bound to lead to corporate reforms and reforms in the judiciary as well.

The hope and energy that the Anna movement has generated, the new democratic space for mass movement that it has created, will outlive Anna and the present surge. Politics abhors vacuum—it had become commonplace for commentators to say after 2009 elections that politics will forever revolve around money-media-muscle axis, that corporatization of politics is here to stay and that mass politics is now dated.

Now, the Anna movement shows that post-liberalization right wing commentators have themselves become dated. They are out of touch with the aspirations of a new, working middle class that wants a clean society and a clean government for now. If its aspirations are not met, this class will soon gravitate towards a concept of people's power—only an astonishing level of apolitical glibness can say that no Muslim-Dalit-OBC face adorns Anna's movement. Well, Anna himself belongs to the OBC Mali caste of Maharashtra. And the current movement is already finding a path towards villages. Indian peasantry and the rural poor face their own, harrowing levels of post-liberalization corruption. They too want reforms and a new land acquisition bill fulfils just one of their many aspirations. The combination of urban and rural discontent can create an explosive revolutionary situation in India. New players from amongst the people will emerge and take over the reins of politics.

As of now, the BJP-RSS are hopelessly out of touch with reality. Left parties too have yet to polish their old class concepts and grasp the new reality unfolding before their eyes. Regional parties have their limitations. The Congress can still lead this revolution—but only by adopting its agenda, reshuffling the top party leadership, revamping the dalaal-managerial culture, and creating a new, pro-people leadership.

The youth involved in the Anna movement have already raised the cry for Rahul Gandhi to stand with the people. Any hardening of stances, and giving the mike to apolitical English speaking spokespersons, would be fatal both for the Government and the Congress party.


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[ALOCHONA] Re: Low and disorder....



8 cops sued, arrested for extortion



http://www.amadershomoy1.com/content/2011/08/23/news0782.htm
http://amardeshonline.com/pages/details/2011/08/23/101120


http://amardeshonline.com/pages/details/2011/08/23/101156


http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=199868
On Sat, Aug 6, 2011 at 12:12 PM, Isha Khan <bdmailer@gmail.com> wrote:
Weekly Budhbar report



http://budhbar.com/?p=5968


On Wed, Aug 3, 2011 at 10:44 AM, Isha Khan <bdmailer@gmail.com> wrote:

44 children and 20 women were raped in July

http://www.unbconnect.com/component/news/task-show/id-54738


http://amardeshonline.com/pages/details/2011/08/02/96715


http://amardeshonline.com/pages/details/2011/08/02/96720
Three Indigenous slaughtered while trying to save girl from rape


http://unheardvoice.net/blog/2011/07/31/indigenous-girl-rape-by-bengali/






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Re: [mukto-mona] Re: An article for your review



  • Mushrafi has touched on some important weeknesses associated with capitalistic system. We have seen how not only a big company, sometimes a whole country is in need of being bailed out. Depressions and recessions are periodic matters and they originate in capitalist countries. That's why "perfect capitalism" requires many government regualations and interventions. You cannot leave every thing up to the "invisible hand". Market left alone can produce a certain kind efficieny, but this does not guarantee desirable income distribution. Allocation of resources in a society can be optimal in a certain sense, but (according to Amartya Sen) it can "still be perfectly disgusting."
  • Soviet economy was nothing but a form of state capitalism. Centralized economic planning was the key. Vastness of the Soviet economy could not afford centralized planning that needed so much of information to collect and process before it could come up with a good economic plan. It was the party which decided how much to invest in guns and how much in butter. Moreover, there was party bureaucracy. All this made the fall of the system inevitable.  
  • An American economics textbook refers to an article which suggests that a socialist country can use decentralized decision making (still maintaining the social ownership of the means of production) to achieve efficient resource allocation. Vietnam is probably a good example. What about China?
  • Communist (also non-communist dictatorships and theocratic states) countries have hopelessly less freedom of speech. Party tends to shape an individual's thinking. In a capitalist country can people really think freely in the face of subtle propaganda by a handful of big media moguls and fascinating and persuading commercials launched by the big companies? Is not our consent being constantly manufactured and shaped by press and media and commercials launched by the big companies? We talk about smaller governments and less intervention by the government. Will the capitalists be self-motivated to minimize wastage and pollution? Don't we see how greedy corporate executives can be? Have we not seen big shots illegally smuggling money out of the country?
  • We talk about freedom. Do we really believe it from our heart? Are we ready to give freedom to gays and lesbians? Have we not said before (in this very forum) that a liberal suffers from mental disorder?  
        

From: Roy <jnrsr53@yahoo.com>
To: mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Monday, August 22, 2011 6:56 PM
Subject: [mukto-mona] Re: An article for your review

 
@Dr. Mushrafi's Comments:

I like these deliberations. Please keep it up. Conversations become much more interesting when they are impersonal and polite. In other words, deliberations should be about disputing arguments, not persons, as has been demonstrated nicely in the previous correspondences. Thank you very much!

The very last sentence of the last paragraph of Dr. Mushrafi is the key, in my opinion, which is - if Marxism or Socialism can be exercised with sincerity it will work. Can we really do that? Haven’t we tried it over decades, and failed?

When I analyze Marxism or Socialism, I see some problems, which everybody tends to ignore when they discuss these systems. They blame human errors for the failure of these systems. I say it’s not the human error but the human behavior that is to blame for the failure of Marxism or Socialism. I agree that Marxism is superior to Capitalism for any society, but - we will never be able to implement Marxism correctly, because - we need incentive for innovations and growth, and we have greed, aspiration, jealousy, competitiveness, etc., etc., under which, true Marxism cannot operate. These are basic human characteristics. Marxism, like religion, requires its followers to give up most of the basic human characteristics to follow them properly, as a result, only some brain-washed Robots or Saints can follow them correctly. The Capitalism, on the contrary, exploits all these basic human characteristics, and it thrives in those conditions.

Some people have suggested admixture of Socialism and Capitalism as a system for a society, and European countries have tried it, but failed. None of these systems works properly as a Hodge-Podge.

Now, as far as world events are concerned, I agree â€" everything we see happening in the world today is due to either Religion or Socialism or Capitalism. But, one thing is clear from these events â€" people want freedom much more than anything else, which Marxism or religion cannot provide, but Capitalism can. Therefore, in my opinion, Capitalism will endure in the world as a social system while others may not.

Now, on the failure of third-world countries, I would blame anarchy, cronyism, nepotism, corruption, and lack of resources. Under these circumstances, even Capitalism will not survive, let alone Socialism or Marxism.

Thanks.

Jiten Roy

--- In mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com, Mohammad Mushrafi <mushrafi@...> wrote:
>
>
> The crumble of USSR and its associates were not the crumbling of Marxism. This fact is known to all those who are impartially judged the events at that time. The people took part in the revolution to change the unjust soceities under the alternative political leaderships whatever were available at those cricial momemts in different nations(as it happenning in middle eastern countries). The hope, the promise the people received from their leaderships have willfully accepted to try out.
>
> Counble is the sincerity of the politicians to adhere to which they promise to their people. No matter what is the policy of the politics. If that sincerity is not exercised then no ism going to be successful. We have plenty of examples of such rules and rulers in the world. Good or bad. Pro-people or anti-people politicians. Both in Marxist or democratic systems in the past and also in the present.
>
> The capitalist system's religion is profit at any cost. The craze of profit makes market prize rise. The people become the slaves of the consumerism as well as the hostage. In this kind of economy we spent the money we don't have, we buy the thing we don't need, we like to impress the people those we don't like. As example the Australians waste 10 billion dollars worth of food only every year, which they through away, some of them without openning the packages. To pay the credit money people over strech thier ability to work doing overtime, weekend work and so on. Thus they disrupt their family and social life and good health.
>
> On the other hand Marxist soceity suppose to take control of profit craze and greedy consumerism. The social justice and previlages are organised through the participation of the people under the political management of the state. The national assets such as minining, varius industires and organisations are owned and operated by the people for the benefit of
> whole soceity rather then for the benefit of individuals or special groups.
>
> The current world economic situation is a great example of the failure of this greedy system which indulge in the crazy war every where and make the world unlivable place. In 30's Australia had great depression, so as in the US. Among the 6 billion people in the world 3 and half billion are living in a unsolvant lifestyle. Many are extremely poor, such as in African, middle eastern, north american and asian countries. Those are not necessarily Marxist countries.
>
> The corruption, nepotism are sweeping through the countries where most of the population of world lives today. In India, Pakistan, Bangladesh now people are rising up against it recently. In the middle east that is happening for sometimes now.
>
> Therefore, sincerity, humanly approach and responsible political system is needed which will ensure people's existance as a decent social being. So far Marxism is the contemporary answer for it, if only if, that can be exercised with full sincerity.
>
> Dr. Mokhdum Azam Mushrafi
> Australia
>
>
>
>
>
> Please click on the link below to review the article I posted on the web:
>
> http://mukto-mona.com/wordpress/?p=1088
>
> Your comments will be highly appreciated.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Jiten Roy
>
> Treat yourself at a restaurant, spa, resort and much more with Rediff Deal ho jaye!
>





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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] People Will Not Forgive the National Betrayers



Manmohan Singh is Welcome, But Leave Bangladesh Alone- People Will Not Forgive the National Betrayers

By Obaid Chowdhury, USA

Indian Prime Minister Manmohon Singh is arriving Dhaka on a two-day official visit on September 6, 2011. Welcome, but…!

Earlier, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wazed made a Ziarat-e-Sukrana to New Delhi in January 2010. It is an open knowledge now that her election victory on December 29, 2008 was orchestrated by India with tacit support from the US Bush administration and others. Please read "Truth Behind Twelve Twenty Nine (12/29/2008) below. The prestigious weekly Economist of London reaffirmed it on July 30, 2011, saying that AL's triumph in the 2008 elections was "helped by bags of Indian cash and advice". The Economist said much more. To know, please visit:

http://www.economist.com/node/21524917

In New Delhi, Hasina's sponsors unveiled the terms of their investment in arranging the Baton of Power for her. Obligingly, she signed at the dotted lines, without caring for a moment what those terms meant for Bangladesh's security and future. Long after the visit, the people of Bangladesh came to know bit by bit that she virtually leased their country out to India. That is not all; she accepted $1 billion dollar Indian bank loan, to be repaid by Bangladesh taxpayers with high interest, to prepare infrastructures for facilitating Indian movements and activities inside Bangladesh. (Please see another article "The Billion Dollar Bait Bangladesh Swallowed" below for details). None of these issues was ever discussed in public or in the parliament, not yet.

Let us walk back a brief history line and see how the relationship between Bangladesh and India came about.

The separation of East Pakistan---today's Bangladesh---from its western half has been an implied but deep-rooted policy in New Delhi since 1947. The first opportunity came in mid 1960s when a small secessionist group, under the leadership of Lieutenant Commander Moazzem Hossain of navy, contacted the Indian Deputy High Commission in Dhaka for help. Indian authorities advised the group to incorporate political elements to have a voice. Most Bengali politicians shunned the idea. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman of Awami League reluctantly agreed to provide moral support. Steward Mujibur Rahman and Ali Reza, two trusted comrades of Commander Moazzem, went to Agartala to seek assistance for an armed independence struggle. According to some AL leaders, Sheikh Mujib also went to Agartala.

(Steward Mujibur Rahman died mysteriously in January 1972. Awami hand was suspected in his killing because another Mujibur Rahman needed to be credited for the Agartala trip. Commander Moazzem was gunned down on March 26, 1971 by Pakistanis. Unfortunately, these heroes remained unsung).

Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru was too preoccupied with India's relations with China, following its debacle in the 1962 war, to commit to 'East Pakistan's internal matter' at that juncture. That became the famous Agartala Conspiracy Case (ACC). In the original charge sheet, Sheikh Mujib was not named. Disturbed with Mujib's 6-Point program for an autonomous East Pakistan, President Ayub Khan wanted to kill Mujib politically by bringing a sedition charge against him. Within a few days, Sheikh Mujib found himself as the No. 1 accused, pushing down Commander Moazzem to No. 2 spot, in the ACC. Ayub's plan backfired and Mujib became a 'fairy tale hero' instead, somewhat by default.

The 1970 elections sent a clear message to the leaders in Islamabad that Bengalis wanted a fully autonomous East Pakistan, but Pakistan military junta's brutal Operation Searchlight on March 25/26, 1971 forced them to fight for an independent Bangladesh. It was an opportunity Prime Minister Indira Gandhi of India could not miss to break her archenemy. She provided all possible support to the Bangladeshi fighters. Tajuddin Ahmed, the wartime Prime Minister, had to sign a 7-point agreement with India, nonetheless. Agreements reduced a future Bangladesh into a dependent colony of India. Following were the salient points:

1. Bangladesh will have a para-military force to be organized, equipped and supervised by India.

2. Bangladesh will procure all its military requirements from India.

3. Bangladesh's foreign trade will be controlled by India.

4. Bangladesh's development plans shall be approved by Indian.

5. Bangladesh's foreign relations shall be guided by India.

6. Bangladesh cannot rescind any part of these agreements without prior approval of India.

7. Indian force shall enter into Bangladesh at any time to crush any resistance or uprising.

The Mukti Bahini, Bangladesh's freedom fighters, won victory on December 16, 1971. It was a historic irony that Indian forces, not Mukti Bahini, took the surrender of the defeated Pakistanis. Col M A G Osmany, the C-in-C of the Mukti Bahini, was prevented from joining the surrender ceremony by incapacitating the helicopter that was carrying him to Dhaka.

After Independence, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Indira Gandhi replaced the above treaty in March 1972 with a 25-Year Treaty of Friendship, which retained most of the clauses of earlier one signed by Tajuddin. Details of this treaty remained a state secret.

After the fall of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on August 15, 1975, Indian colonization program came to a halt. President Ziaur Rahman initiated South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC) presented a blockade. According to "Amar Phansi Chai" of Motiur Rahman Rentu, onetime aide of Sheikh Hasina, India had a hand in Zia's assassination on May 30, 1981.

After 21 years, Mujib's daughter Hasina came to power, thanks to an active RAW and it agents in Bangladesh. India restarted its hegemony with Bangladesh in all fronts. Hasina's AL was defeated in 2001 and India took a backseat. Army chief General Moeen U Ahmed offered fresh opportunities to India, following his betrayal on 1/11. According to many analysts, Gen Moeen, in fact, acted as India's remote control. As such, the elections on December 29, 2008 were geared and conducted the way India wanted.

Today, Sheikh Hasina is not only repaying the debts for her installation in authority, she is also obeying the dictates she received during her self-exile in India in 1975-81. It is a betrayal of the highest order to the nation, to the people.

The Indian PM is coming to Dhaka to cement the arrangements signed in New Delhi last year, among other things. What are the stakes for Bangladesh? Let us examine a few cases and implications thereof.

The Corridor

According to the Economist, "it is to create an Indian security corridor", connecting Indian mainland with it's largely Maoist seven sisters, thereby attracting guerrilla incursions inside Bangladesh. India could use the corridor to move troops and equipment to support its growing military presence in Arunachal that China claims to be part of its Tibet. If India uses Bangladesh as a "military marshalling yard", Bangladesh's relation with China is bound to sour, even be troublesome and confrontational. Additionally, Hasina administration agreed for the Asian Highway to run through Bangladesh connecting one Indian state (West Bengal) to other Indian states ( Seven Sisters), implying India will use Bangladesh routes for its inter-state traffic. Can Bangladesh afford such high risks? Definitely not.

Water Sharing

Farakka to the left of Bangladesh has already rendered one-third of its land into semi desert with insurmountable adverse consequences in economy, lifestyle, environment and ecology. Since its commission in 1975, India never complied with agreed sharing of waters. Farakka has become a death trap for Bangladesh. Tipaimukh to the right is another trap in the making. It will dry up Surma and Kushyara rivers, bringing in the Farakka-effects to eastern half of the country. Teesta and 52 other rivers that flow into Bangladesh from India face similar fates. Bangladesh cannot allow that. Waters must be shared equitably and according to international norms.

Wire Fencing

India has caged Bangladesh by wire fencing, virtually from all sides. Can we accept such animal-like treatment? No self-respecting nation can do that. And, we play host to the perpetrators!

Border Killing

Killing of innocent Bangladeshis in the border is a daily ritual with the Border Security Forces of India. Nobody forgets the brutality to Felani! The authorities are so sold-out that they cannot even protest. What a shame!

It should, therefore, be the duty of each patriotic Bangladeshi to hoist black flag, wear black badge and demand, during the visit of the Indian PM:

Hands off Bangladesh.

Accept complicity of conspiracy in the 2008 elections, which should be nullified.

Admit complicity in the BDR massacre and compensate.

Compensate for Farakka consequences.

No Tipaimukh.

Waters of joint rivers should be shared equitably.

Stop RAW's anti-Bangladeshi activities.

RAW Agents Beware!

No corridor until further details and implications known to the public.

No transshipment without adequate compensation.

Return Tin Bigha immediately.

Remove navy form South Talpatti.

National Betrayers Beware! Public Trials Awaiting You.

Obaid Chowdhury

NY, USA

August 12, 2011

The Truth Behind Twelve Twenty-Nine (12/29/2008)

The cat is out of the bag. The truth of 12/29---that is the December 29 (2008) Elections in Bangladesh---is now open to the public.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton reminded Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh in a tele-talk on January 15 that the 'Madam Prime Minister' should be mindful of the way she came to power. It was an Indian arrangement, supported by then Bush administration of the US. The transcripts of conversation were leaked in the US and found place in a few media outlets in Bangladesh. Some skeptics did doubt the authenticity of the talks; however, to my knowledge no official challenge came from Washington or Dhaka yet. Shafik Rehman of Jai Jai Din fame wrote a very interesting analogy to the reported conversation, which he termed as 'Hillaryleak', drawing a reference from the now famous Wikileak of cyber wizard Julian Assange. For ready reference to Rehman's explanation, please visit the following link:

http://opinion.bdnews24.com/2011/02/02/from-wikileaks-to-hillaryleak/

It is difficult to ignore the reasoning put forward by Rehman.

Apparently, US Ambassador in Dhaka James Moriarty informed his Home Office that the on going investigations and trial process of the War Crimes in Bangladesh were not following the correct procedures; it was geared more to serve partisan interests. US State Department sent Ambassador Stephen Rapp to Bangladesh to ascertain and report on the issue. He confirmed the reports of Ambassador Moriarty and addressed a press conference in Dhaka on January 13, 2011 to say that Bangladesh needed to revise and reform the War Crime Law in keeping with international norms. The unpleasant findings of the two US ambassadors prompted Clinton to make the call to Hasina.

Two things came clear from the Hillaryleak:

1. Sheikh Hasina's administration was following Indian advice, if not agenda, on the much-touted trial of the War Criminals of 1971.

2. The December 29, 2008 election was a deep-rooted conspiracy by India, with the support of the US, to ensure Awami League's victory. And, then army chief, the mastermind behind the almost-military takeover on 1/11, and the so called 'great patriot' General Moeen U Ahmad---who has now found a safe sanctuary in the US---was the front man in the conspiracy.

During the Moeen-sponsored emergency, many people voiced concerns that a conspiracy involving local and international elements was afoot to frustrate the democratic process in Bangladesh with a view to favoring a particular party and a vested group. The result of December 29, 2008 was something the Bangladeshis had never seen since Sheikh Mujib's partisan election in 1973o. In fact, the chief of the Election Commission did brag on presenting a 1973-like elections in 2008. Few missed the joke that Moeen's 'computer-driven military efficiency' and the Election Commission's 'excellence per se' produced a 95-102% voter turnout! Consequently, Awami League led Mohajote bagged a dictatorial majority in the parliament. And, indeed, the party has since been running the show in a virtual autocratic manner that, according to many, surpassed that of Hasina's father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's own in 1972-75.

The result of the past two years' rule in the country confirms the fact that the conspiracy fear was not a mere cry of wolf. The country saw a BDR mutiny---most say a stage-managed one---resulting in the massacre and elimination of scores of brilliant senior army officers. Indian BSF has had a free hand in target shooting the Bangladeshis on a daily basis, not mentioning the 'Felani' brutality, which one cannot even complain. The arrests of many locals who tried to speak for Felani are a case in point. While Bangladesh is being cordoned from all sides by wire fencing, yet it has no crib in allowing Indian legal or illegal border trades. The current administration did not even blink for once to provide the country's ports for Indian use and roads for Indian traffic or transshipment. It swallowed one billion US Dollar bait from an Indian private bank on hard terms to facilitate Indian business and transshipment. Interestingly, all these facilities would be made by India with Indian materials, resources and experts but to be paid by the poor Bangladeshi taxpayers. Most of the 52 rivers of Bangladesh are drying out, because water is diverted upstream in India rendering the lower riparian areas virtually deserts with insurmountable economic, social, ecological and environmental consequences. Bangladesh has no voice to complain for all these, because its destiny does not seem to be in its own hands. The history of the country's liberation war has been re-written to give it a partisan stamp, thanks to an obliging judiciary. The RAW, the Indian intelligence agency, is openly operating in Bangladesh. It ensured that the military, police and other law enforcing agencies, bureaucracy, judiciary, education, business, and in fact all aspects of life, are filled with pro-Indian elements.

Is it not time Bangladeshis wake up and see what game the current administration of Bangladesh and its sponsors are playing? Question arises: who owns this country----Bagladeshis or Sheikh Hasina's oveseas sponsors? Can we call ourselves sovereign under the circumstances?

From the Hillaryleaks, one can assume that the Election of Twelve Twenty-Nine was a farce and conspiratorial. Therefore, the result of the elections was invalid and the follow up government illegal. As such, Bangladesh has been under an illegal administration since January 2009.

To clarify the matter, as well as to challenge the above assertion, the administration should immediately constitute an independent commission to find facts and make available to the public a White Paper on the Election on December 29, 2008. Let the people know the truth of Twelve Twenty-Nine. The people of Bangladesh should not pay for the greed and follies of others, if there was a conspiracy. The country needs to be saved before it is too late!

This may please be read in conjunction to an earlier demand for a White Paper on 1/11. For ready reference, please see below.

Obaid Chowdhury

NY, USA

February 4, 2011

The Billion Dollar Bait Bangladesh Swallowed

Under an arrangement between the External Relations Division (ERD) of Bangladesh Government and Exim Bank of India, Bangladesh agreed to receive one billion US Dollars from India at 1.75% interest, with an additional 0.5% for the unutilized credit, repayable in 20 years.

An effusive Finance Minister AMA Muhit bragged that this was the largest bilateral loan Bangladesh ever received. He, however, did not mention that the terms of the loan were the toughest Bangladesh, a Least Developed Country under the UN development index, ever received. Bangladesh, in fact, falls within the sub-group of the Least LDCs, making it an LLDC and qualifying for mostly grants from developed nations. On large-scale loans, interest rate is usually kept around a low 0.25%; and in most cases, such loans are converted into grants subsequently. Never did Bangladesh receive a loan at such a high rate with so many strings attached.

Only after signing the documents, Bangladeshis could learn that fourteen projects costing $600 million had been agreed between the parties. Nothing is yet known of the remaining $400 million.

According to media sources, following are the 14 projects covered under the loan:

1. $71.7 million: Cost of six dredgers from India.

2. $36.2 million: Cost of construction of an internal container port at Ashuganj on Meghna, to be built by India.

3. $31.5 million: Cost of 10 broad gauge locomotive engine from India.

4. $53.6 million: Cost of 125 Broad Gauge passenger couches from India.

5. 5 & 6. $13.4 million: Cost of 117 railway wagons from India.

7. $120 million: Cost of two railway bridges at Bhirab and Titas to be built by India.

8. $30 million: Cost of 300 double-decker buses from India.

9. $6 million: Cost of 50 luxury buses from India.

10. $33.8 million: Cost of road construction and development of Sarail-Brahmanbaria-Sutlatanpur-Akhura-Sonardi, to be constructed mostly by India.

11. $31.4 million: Cost of two flyovers at rail crossings at Jurain and Malibagh, to be built by India.

12. $14.5 million: Cost of road construction between Ramgarh in Bangladesh and Sabroom in Indian state of Tripura, to be built by India.

13. $150.8 million: Cost of power gridline from Bahrampur in India to Bheramara in Bangladesh, to be built by India.

14. $8.92 million: Cost of research and development for Bangladesh Standard and Testing Institute, the technology support to be provided by India.

As can be seen from the above listing, nearly a quarter billion is meant to purchase Indian goods such as dredgers, locomotives, buses and railway couches. To this, one must add the cost of consultation, expertise, technology, additional machineries etc to be hired from India during and after implementation of the projects. Apart from selling Indian goods, promoting Indian business and arranging jobs for Indian consultants in Bangladesh, the projects are designed to set up the "Connectivity" through Bangladesh---and at Bangladesh's cost---between mainland India and its far fetched and loosely connected Seven Sisters of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura.

This is the Third Phase in a series of fast moving steps India has been working on since 1/11 (2007), with a view to achieving its long awaited desire of politically—and perhaps militarily too---integrating Bangladesh with its northeastern region.

In fact, this desire of integration is as old as the departure of the British in 1947; and, the dream almost materialized in 1971 through Bangladesh's independence in which India invested so heavily. Unfortunately, for India, August 15, 1975 came as a stopper, and then President Ziaur Rahman's SAARC (South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation) concept almost jeopardized the plan. That speaks why India never allowed SAARC to take off. At the same time, coercive pressure on a defiant neighbor continued in the stoppage of waters downstream on common rivers, strangling it by wire fencing, illegally occupying South Talpatti island, denying free access to sea by claiming maritime boundary in the Bay of Bengal, aiding the miscreants in the tribal areas, just to name a few. Additionally, RAW (Research and Analysis Wing, the intelligence agency of India) continued its overt and covert operations, thanks to its Bangladeshi agents. High profile national betrayers showed up soon and India grabbed the opportunity to force its scheme.

The First Phase of the rejuvenated plan started during the Caretaker administration of Moeen-Fakhruddin that installed India's favorite—some say, puppet--Awami League in the government in January 2009.

The Second Phase witnessed the weakening of Bangladesh's security forces, starting with the massacre of 57 brilliant army officers on February 25/26, 2009 at BDR Headquarters, followed by a systematic cleansing of the military of those elements that did not tow the Awami (or Indian) line. The process of such cleansing continued in the bureaucracy, police, judiciary, educational institutions and other fields. Reportedly, Bangladesh now has Indian commandos and security personnel, ostensibly to 'protect' its prime minister and her family members. It is also learnt that many of the country's thriving garment industries have passed hands to Indians or NRIs (Non-Resident Indians). Many of Bangladesh's private clinics have Indian nurses and technicians working there.

After the grounds have been prepared with the completion of the second phase, India threw in the Billion Dollar bait to Bangladesh. Its protégé, the Hasina administration, has but to swallow, for providing "Connectivity" to India. According to Foreign Minister Dipu Moni, "We are transforming Bangladesh as a regional hub and when the entire region (in effect Bangladesh and the India's Seven Sisters) will be brought under the connectivity, India will have access to its northeastern states, unfettered movement of people and goods will be taking place." One may ask Dr. Moni how she theorized that Bangladesh would become a regional hub by providing connectivity to Indian states alone (Nepal and Bhutan hardly count in this connectivity). During and after completion of these projects, there will surely be sailab (flood) of Indian goods, Indian machineries, Indian professionals and technicians, Indian workers and Indian businesspersons—and perhaps Indian security forces in open or in guise--everywhere in Bangladesh. Sooner, Bangladeshis may even be talking in Hindi, as do the Nepalese and Bhutanese!

Once the Connectivity is complete, the actual drama—the Fourth Phase--will come to play. It will see the never-ending stream of Indian traffic that will perhaps toss out at passing a few doles at the humbling baskets to make Bangladesh "rich overnight" as its current leadership promises to its dismayed people. The connectivity is not likely to confine to road traffic alone, it will surely infiltrate its activities in other spheres aimed at gradual integration of Bangladesh with India. The freedom fighters, as well as the Shaheed ones from heaven, will then keep asking in disgust and shame: Is it what we gave our blood for in 1971?

If the Awami government were to continue, the Fourth Phase leading to total absorption of Bangladesh within the Indian scheme would not be far away.

Is it not yet time for the Bangladeshis to wake up and demonstrate that they did not fight the Pakistanis in 1971 for nothing, and they can fight again for the sovereignty and integrity of their dear country and people, if need be?

A Obaid Chowdhury
NY, USA
E Mail : alaldulal@aol.com

http://newsfrombangladesh.net/view.php?hidRecord=363801


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