By Ashish Singh
A lot of recent events in Bangladesh are showing a dangerous pattern. With the Yunus administration unable to deal with radical fractions within the government, there are attempts to change the history of Bangladesh. I spoke with Bangladeshi-Swedish writer Anisur Rahman to discuss it further.
What do you think about the rewriting of history that is going on in Bangladesh?
Anisur Rahman: It is a scandalous move. There is no way to change the facts in history. You may fabricate someone or hide some truths. In our recent history, the language movement in 1952 and the Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971 are the basic foundations in our history for political as well as cultural indentity. The elements within the authorities in Bangladesh as well as out of the administrative machineries are in a move to mislead our historical truths, glories and appeals. They need chaos. They want to gain through instability.
You may differ on political ideologies. You may be capitalist, communist, nationalist, democrat and even left or right radical. However, there is no way to change the facts. You cannot deny George Washingston as America’s founding father. Same way, you cannot deny Bangbabdhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as the founding father of Bangladesh, Muhammed Ali Jinnah of Pakistan and Mahatma Gandhi of India.
Let me elaborate. The Yunus-led administration is an interim as well as unconstitutional regime. It was supossed to hold a free fair acceptable election through a consensus among all parties within a possible short time, for example three or six months. But they are dreaming of something else. That is why they need new narratives, fresh excuses and series of unrests over time.
Is it for the benefit of certain groups/organisations?
Anisur Rahman: Certainly it will benefit the people who are stigmatised for holding the legacy of anti-1971 spirit as well as pro-imperial spirit. Dr Muhammad Yunus is an imperial spiritboy. A number of his colleagues in his unconstitutional cabinet stand against the spirit of our independence. Let me mention Syeda Rizwana Hasan whose father and Muslim League leader Syed Mohibul Hasan was an anti-1971 element and played a role in favour of occupying Pakistani military.
In addition to war criminal political party Jammat-e-Islami and their like minded groups, there are some pro-US and pro-China left radicals, benfited from West-sponsored NGOs and institutions never feel comfort with the victory of Bangladesh under the leadership of Banabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his party Awami League, they were in search of an excuse to find way out from their uncomfort.
Those elements in a move to rewrite or to find alternative narratives of history are intellecually corrupt and identically were against the War of LIberation of Bangladesh. They never feel comfort with the spirit of 1952, 1971 and secular progressive welfare Bangladesh. In a way, we do not need to be worried but to identify them. In course of time, they will find their resort in the corridor of villains in our history. That will be the conclusion of their new narrative.
What is the role of Bangladeshi army in the ongoing situation?
Anisur Rahman: The role of Bangladesh army is not transparent. Some elements within army and or some outisiders having lovely dating with them may be busy with fulfilling material purposes. After the fall of Sheikh Hasina, it seems army chief General Waqaruzzaman has much sympathy for Jamaat-e-Islami. On the other hand, there are some groups who may have sympathy towards two major political polarisations like the BNP-led alliance and the Awami League-led 14 party coalition. Army bosses may have reason to take it into their consideration that the political stakeholders who would ultimately rule the country.
What are different political parties saying about the rewriting of history?
Anisur Rahman: Pro-1971 parties including the BNP and the Communist Party of Bangladesh are not visibly against such a move. However, the BNP and the Awami League hold a never ending disagreement whether BNP founder and freedom fighter Major General Ziaur Rahman as ’proclamator’ of independence or as a reader of proclamation on behalf of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Both the Awami League and the BNP continuously hold unrealistic battle of words. It sounds irritating and unhealthy for our democracy. That is one reason why these undemocratic gangs are dancing over the fate of our country.
Other retail parties in line with Jamaat-e-Islami and left ideology are enjoying the time designed by this handicapped regime.
Is Bangladesh leading towards another phase of military rule? Or is the military working from the background?
Anisur Rahman: There will not be another phase of military rule in our country. The military is working from background. Bangladesh military has a significant role in the UN peace mission. It is a barrier for the army to introduce visible and direct military rule. Even during the civil democratic regimes, in the countries like Bangladesh, Pakistan and other newly emerged nations in Africa and Asia, military is both visible and invisible stakeholder of power. Over the last decades, Bangladesh experienced the exercise of power through intelligence agencies. In addition to it, the mlitary personnel are always enjoying positions in the civil administrations including diplomacy and corporate sectors. Immeditately after retirment, many a military officer enjoys positions in parliament as well as in cabinet during different regimes. Lastly, Sheikh Hasina became the champion of running the country through intelligence agencies instead of functioning political structire. Imperial puppetboy Muhammad Yunus is nothing different in this regard.
(Ashish Singh is a social and political scientist.)
