Bangladesh still bleeds from war wounds
OUT of sheer frustration I remained out of the ongoing debate on the trial of those accused of crimes against humanity during Bangladesh's 1971 Independence War. I am still skeptical with my past experience, but thought it was worth pondering.
As a journalist, I have attended press conferences of various kinds, including those of the Awami League leader Sheikh Hasina Wajed and her co-accused (Niko deal) and BNP leader Khaleda Zia.
"The laws of the land will take its own course," that was Khaleda Zia's reply when she became Bangladesh's first woman prime minister in 1991, when I asked if she would consider punishing the war criminals.
Her first tenure ended and I was in the durbar hall of the Bangabhaban presidential palace when she came to take oath as prime minister for the third time. (The second oath was after the bungled voting in February 1996)
Even though I knew that this time her cabinet colleagues would include controversial figures of 1971 due to the poll alliance, when the names were announced of the two such men, it hurt.
It pained and my eyes became watery. I thought what a tragedy. I told my parents that I was sorry. Indeed what else could I do as a journalist other than report what was happening.
A friend of my father was standing next to me. Suddenly he held me close. Maybe he also disapproved and understood my mind. Then the red and green flag cars sped away with the controversial figures.
The law of the land did not take its own course!
Came Sheikh Hasina, who backed Jahanara Imam's fight for the trial of 1971 war criminals. "Do ask things that you don't understand," was her reply to my question on the same issue. She added: "There were laws to deal with those."
Aha! so I am back to square one. Jahanra Imam's campaign saw a slow death or at best survived on a life-line.
People still pursuing the cause were harassed since 2001 elections. Many moved away out of fear, only the very determined (Ekkaturer Ghatok Dalal Nirmul Committee) stayed on and carried on with the mission in their own way.
I remember that strangely an out fall of democratic process that started in 1991 split the nation into pro- or anti- this or that. If one used Bangabandhu to address Sheikh Mujibur Rahman then he was labelled an "Awami," while adding "Shaeed" before Ziaur Rahman meant "BNP."
On those similar lines, seeking trial of those collaborators meant one became "Awami." So, those who had nothing to do with politics, moved away to avoid getting such labels.
Then comes Jamaat leader Ali Ahsan Mujahid's comments and which was quickly followed by Quader Mollah. Was it a challenge or a pre-emptive defence strategy. Most people I talked to thought it was the first, as slowly in 36 years things have gone in their favour.
I had interviewed Qamruzzaman of the Jamaat before and after the 2001 polls. He was very categorical of assuming state power by 2015 at the latest. I remember he thanked me for the interview after it was published in the Middle East for being able to reflect "accurately" his mind. Well that was my job to be accurate as a professional.
So, is all this part of it when a neutral caretaker government is in power.
It may well be so because if they remained untouched on the issue now meant a "Good Conduct Certificate," an elderly gentleman argued with me when I said why the pressure now on Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed's government.
The pressure on the government appears to be mounting with Bangabhaban ceremony being boycotted by the sector commanders last December 16. I am not too concerned about BNP or Awami League staying away. Or even Awami League's Zillur Rahman pledging a trial if elected does not move me.
I talked with a cross-section of people. I read about them and I see them on private television channels. They echo the sector commanders.
The feel is very clear: "If this government can do so many other things not usually in the agenda of a caretaker government why was it ignoring the demand for bringing to book those accused of war crimes."
That is the pulse of the people. The government needs to address the issue or they will stand misunderstood as "blind to the issue for some ulterior motive."
Brushing aside such questions quickly, I feel, is always unwise. But it has been done and now the government has to be pro-active in ensuring it was not misunderstood despite all its good works since 1/11.
Let us begin by talking to the sector commanders and eminent jurists, like former chief justice and caretaker government chief, Justice Habibur Rahman, who have spoken on the issue.
Let us do things that unites the nation, heals the bleeding wounds of 1971 permanently where it hurt most and take Bangladesh to newer heights for all the sacrifices made not only in 1971, but in the past 36 years by people like my late mother or Noor Hossain.
If nothing else for those children who grew up only holding a picture of their martyred father. Yes, we can because we love our motherland -- Bangladesh.
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