E-Bangladesh

Since 27th May , The Daily Amader Shomoy has been chronicling on irregular basis the politico-literary lore of one journalist Peer Habibur Rahman which spun an almost gratifying concurrence from AL politician Mahmudur Rahman Manna on 31st May and host of reactions from the readers. This sequel of Peer starkly exposes pervasive moral decadence and professional dishonesty that challenge our journalism profession today and how effectively they are enticing our gullible ex-revolutionaries and capricious politicians into an alliance with ex-dictators and ruling Generals to execute a grand conspiracy against democracy. The optics of these articles nurtures known adversaries of democracy and their political cohorts and brazenly assassinates the image of the mainstream political leadership and the institutions.

Mahmudur Rahman Manna, whom I knew, had the gift of amazing oratory skill and blazing revolutionary fervour which made him an iconic politician to many young activists like me in 70s. In his mercurial political trek from revolutionary nihilist to centrist AL till date, his followers always felt measurably abandoned by the leader at every turning point of the journey. In the present context when exponents of democracy should remain stead fast and united under the party banner to counter the enormous thrust of conspiracy against democratic institutions, his article appears to be anecdotal and detrimental to his own political identity. We can only hope Manna will work to overcome his political and emotional pitfalls and will be able to show his political maturity not duplicity at this critical point in time.

The reactions of the readers deftly dealt with the intentions of Peer’s articles bringing under spotlight, unlike highly publicized corruption of the politicians, the silent but rampant corruption that has plagued journalism and the tale of a pen turning into a tool of a bounty hunter.

Lutfur Rahman Riton’s Open letter to Moeen U Ahmed

[Jagoruk Manush, Canada]

Lutfur Rahman Riton received Bangla Academy Award 2007 on juvenile literature. This award earned him kudos and criticism as well. The timing of give and take of this award churned a cloud of suspicion in many minds including mine, more apolitical less literary and a long time admirer of Riton. A recent poetry of Riton, a posthumous tribute to the greatest pen-warrior Wahidul Huq, helped me see Riton at a much higher ground, much beyond his limericks and spoofs. His sudden arrival in Canada couple of years ago, as a political exile, had created a huge inertia of excitement among his fans and local Bangalee literary hubs. That also has decimated in a relatively short time, and his initial presence at the centre of every arty and literary podium has now reduced to living room sizzling adda. His life in Ottawa gliding on odd jobs was not uncommon for a starter in Canada, but certainly a huge plunge from his immediate velvety past as a diplomat. His diplomatic assignment in Japan is found as critically inappropriate but hefty dividend of his earlier political investments, thanks to Awami League’s brief respite from street to the power.

However, the timing of Riton,s open letter to General Moeen U published on June 22, 2007 in ‘Weekly 2000’ with a shrill  of appreciation for the General left many of his fans and comrades like me flabbergasted. Particularly, when the time, tune and the turf have been too hostile for an aficionado of democracy to waltz with the wolf.  .In his open letter to the General, Riton articulated his total alliance, punctuated by a feeble request to stop liaisons with war criminals, with the mesmerising ambitions of the General on political reforms and corruption cleansing. Riton’s emotional aberration went further in cajoling the General to pay him eighty dollar that he spent on overseas calls for his abortive attempt to contact the General for a live chat and to whisper his love for his agendas. General did not falter to seize the opportunity and precisely after a month on July 22, 2007, in an interview, in a befitting response to his new found ‘beau politico’, he assured him bounty much more than mere eighty dollar.

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Abdul Jalil and Anxious Awami League Supporters in front of LabAid hospital . Photo: Banglar Chokh 

[Jagorook Manush, Canada]

Here is an urgent appeal to save a Freedom Fighter of 1971. His name is Abdul Jalil. He is fighting for his life in a hospital prison cell. His kidney is not functioning. His heart is failing. His blood is not getting enough haemoglobin to keep him alive. Whatever charges (if any) are against him are a matter of the court and the law of the country and should be processed accordingly. But he is in the prison without any trial without any chance for self defence, which is very unfair. A freedom fighter, who had directly fought for this country, does not deserve a death in the prison cell without proper treatment, in utter negligence and humiliation. Please do something before the life of this freedom fighter comes to an end.

I feel so helpless, so much frustrated that I myself do not know how to request or demand the release of Abdul Jalil to the present Government. I am asking your conscience; please keep your intellectual discussions and debates aside for a while. Please look beyond your political allegiances and preferences and think of Abul Jalil as a person. Please think for a moment about Abdul Jalil, who fought for the freedom of our country, how he can spend his last days of life with honour and respect that he deserves and can die as a freeman in his country. Please mobilize and use your every resource you have to save Abdul Jalil.

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Jagorook Manush [http://jagorookbangalee.blogspot.com] writes micro analysis of events unfolding in Bangladesh. He is a vigilante to materialize the dreams of our martyrs and uses to write as a Guest Blogger for E-Bangladesh. He prefers to remain anonymous for his own personal reasons in the present context. 

[Update from Dhaka Correspondent]

The ailing Awami League general secretary Abdul Jalil was released on a 30-day parole on Sunday night to enable him to have better medical treatment abroad.

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