----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Jamal Hasan <poplu@hotmail.com>
To:
Sent: Tuesday, March 19, 2013 9:14 PM
Subject: Wali bhai, a former BAF officer talks to someone critical of Shahbagh movement
From: Jamal Hasan <poplu@hotmail.com>
To:
Sent: Tuesday, March 19, 2013 9:14 PM
Subject: Wali bhai, a former BAF officer talks to someone critical of Shahbagh movement
From: wali.khondker
Date: Tue, 19 Mar 2013 20:11:57 +0600
Subject: Re: Arnold Zeitlin's comment on Shahbagh movement
To: gms@nmcigroup.com
CC: azeitlin@hotmail.com;
Dear Mr. Suhrawardi,
Thanks for your prompt response. I think I know of you from Shoaib, a Topian, my course mate in Air Force and now settled in LA.
If not, it doesn't matter, we are dealing with a different subject altogether.
You have made my job easy by Q&A method, thanks for that :)
1. Are you a moderate person politically? If so, can you tell me whether political influence has permeated inside the Shahbagh gonojagoron?
Yes I am. Shahbag is very much political so far as their two demands are concerned. They are only fortunate to have Awami League in power, or else they would have met the same fate as that of Late Jahanara Imam!
Yes, Awami League is very much in favour of them. But the youth haven't moved from their initial demands which started with a suspicion of collusion between AL & Jamat!
2. Can you comment on Jamaat a bit? Is the Jamaat of 1971 same as now? Taking the war criminals aside (which can be few hundreds still alive in all parties), can you comment if Jamaat should qualify to represent it's adherents as a political party? Can any laws bar them from political representation?
Jamat is not an isolated Bangladeshi party. It is in effect the Bangladesh Chapter of Jamate Islami Pakistan. They have a chapter in India also, Jamate Hind. Their Middle Eastern chapters carry different brand name. Jamat of 71 was far less powerful than Jamat to-day. They are more rich and of course more lethal to-day! Jamats' functioning in Bangladesh politics is contrary to the spirit of liberation war. As a freedom fighter, I'm sure you will agree!
Existing laws are enough to ban JI Bangladesh! But it needs political will, which as of to-day AL lacks and the youth of Shahbag know it and hence they don't trust AL wholly. In one word, Jamat is the Ku Klux Klan of Bangladesh, period.
3. The timing. Right now it is election time. Looking at the atmosphere of political uncertainty, what can gonojagoron achieve to alleviate Bangladeshi people? The core of this group has no experience in politics and especially Bangladeshi dirty politics.
They are sworn to one issue, Trial and Ban of Jamat! They are not out there for anything else, for the time being! Once they achieve their first objective rest all will fall in place, they hopefully will make sure! Even Tarek Zia will chant Joy Bangla! :)
4. How can we keep the dirty hands of the political people further away from the development of private entrepreneurs, law and order and basic security of the people?
Bangladesh politics is very much with the business group to-day and not in the hands of traditional politicians! Once the power rivalry ends between the two ladies. Things will calm down. If and when the elections are held (Which will happen in any case, I still don't know when and how!) The business people will set things right. You see 48 hrs hartal has been reduced to 36 hrs, practically even less, all due to intervention of Business groups!
I appreciate Shahbag youth for, they have got the core issue. We have to set our ideology right, our spirit right, our dreams right, our heroes right and finally keep the enemies of the war of liberation out of our free land.
They way Germans are still very sensitive about Nazis and don't allow their existence in any form, we got to be very assertive against Jamat and its allies!
I won't prolong any more.
Thanks and best regards,
Wali
On 19 March 2013 17:49, Ghulam Suhrawardi <gms@nmcigroup.com> wrote:
Dear Mr. Khondker:I was 21 years old in 1971. I took action immediately upon the call of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by defecting from a Pakistani merchant ship and denounced my Pakistani citizenship in April 1971. Immediately I worked on various projects to help the muktijuddo (freedom fight) and later help Bangladesh itself - selflessly. I will not go any further.I have been disoriented in our nationalism. As usual we go overboard with our emotions. I can see it through in Shahbagh group. Many of the elder organizers are well known to me personally. From the day one, I have been following this movement (if you can call it that). Without going any further, I would like to ask you the following questions:1. Are you a moderate person politically? If so, can you tell me whether political influence has permeated inside the Shahbagh gonojagoron?
2. Can you comment on Jamaat a bit? Is the Jamaat of 1971 same as now? Taking the war criminals aside (which can be few hundreds still alive in all parties), can you comment if Jamaat should qualify to represent it's adherents as a political party? Can any laws bar them from political representation?
3. The timing. Right now it is election time. Looking at the atmosphere of political uncertainty, what can gogojagoron achieve to alleviate Bangladeshi people? The core of this group has no experience in politics and especially Bangladeshi dirty politics.
4. How can we keep the dirty hands of the political people further away from the development of private entrepreneurs, law and order and basic security of the people?
I could go on and on. In 1971, I thought we were one people. Now my heart cries to see fragmentation of our Sonar Bangla into weird divisions that I never envisioned in 1971.
Best regards
Ghulam SuhrawardiFrom: Wali Khondker [mailto:wali.khondker ]
Sent: Tuesday, March 19, 2013 7:03 AM
To: azeitlin@hotmail.com
Subject: Arnold Zeitlin's comment on Shahbagh movementGonojagoron: How and Why
Dear Mr. Zeitlin,
I had received a forward of your note from a friend. I am trying to give my view points with a hope that you find your 'missing point!'
In Bangladesh,the situation is unique! Presidents during both previous BNP and AL Govt. pardoned convicted prisoners. Even criminals awarded death penalty walked free with presidential pardon. Presidential pardon is a globally accepted norm. Any change here will be met with severe criticism globally!
A lesser sentence for Kader Molla following that of Bachchu Razakar raised doubts about Govt collusion with Jamat! Hence the 'Gonojagoron' at Shahbag! Kader Molla was proven guilty of charges similar as those of Bachchu Razakar. This gave more credence to the suspicion of collusion! Kader Molla's showing of the V sign after the sentencing, gave the apparent message that in any future Govt. following that of AL, Molla will walk free.
The rift between Khaleda Zia and Sk Hasina is endemic and we have lived with and through it since 1990. This difference can not be bridged over because of their political doctrines. Their party spirit and ideals are exactly opposite to each other. Even their national identity, national slogan,national heroes are different, which again is a unique phenomenon in the world!
On the present trial BNP's position is the same as that of Jamat. BNP tells it in a roundabout way whereas Jamat ,being the involved party tells it straight -- loud and clear.
Notwithstanding the present political standpoint of different parties, if you, Mr.Zeitlin sir, want the revival of the spirit of liberation war of '71, you may please stand by the 'Gonojagoron Manch' at Shahbag.
Hanging of the persons convicted of crimes against humanity during our war of liberation is essential for a final closure of a dark chapter, 42 years old!
It is also necessary because Bangladesh has to come out of the culture of impunity, which had taken effect since the murder of Bongobondhu, even when the murderers were not in state power, the impunity persisted. This culture of impunity gave rise to impunity in other fields, including corruption. People in power looted national wealth and walked free. Why not? If murderers can walk free why not the corrupt!
Shahbag is not about hanging A, B,or C only, it is about rekindling the spirit of liberation war of 1971 which was to develop an equitable, just, secular,corruption free,peaceful democracy, where all people will live in peace and be the masters of their own future.
Now, Mr. Arnold Zeitlin, you may see the missing point!
Best regards,
Wali
From: azeitlin@hotmail.com
Subject: MORE to maneeza from az re: shahbag conversation
Date: Thu, 7 Mar 2013 20:52:40 +0000
i am listening to a recording of this SAJA broadcast, maneeza, and
remain bewildered by what i hear and what little i've read about
shahbag. i've heard that an occupy shahbag movement was unprecedented
and somewhat of a bangladesh spring. but it seems odd to describe the
movement in that way when it seems to be based mostly on a demand for
the death penalty for quader mollah, perhaps a murderer 40 years ago
but an inconsequential figure for whom life in prison would pay for
his misdeeds (I've met him twice in your dad's house). the movement
has turned ugly and cannot be the game changer that was the case in
1990 when khaleda zia, sheikh hasina and even jamaat joined to oust
ershad from the presidency. while the killers of 1971 are important in
bangladesh history, the corruption and persistent deadlock between
khaleda and hasina are far greater obstacles to a better life for
bangladeshis and much more significant as tagets of youthful protest.
i'm amazed that young bangladeshis don't see that.
i obviously am missing something in this whole episode but find
little commentary or reporting to enlighten me. i hope you or someone
else who knows much more than i can explain what is positive in this
episode.
warm regards, AZ
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