“101 eminent citizens decry repression on intellectuals"

I have read with interest the statement of the 101 eminent persons alleging the Government of repression against writers, journalists and cultural activists. It may be interesting to note that we have not seen the same group of people making any statement while the Awami League was in office and when there have also been action against writers, journalists and cultural activists. It may therefore need no great power of deduction to know where the political sympathies of these people lie.

My view regarding the matter is that the Government, no matter which party forms it, should be under scrutiny from any group of eminent persons or anyone for that matter when people in categories such as writers, journalists and cultural activists are unlawfully harassed or oppressed. Then again, no one, whether he/she is a journalist or a writer should be exempted from the laws that apply to other sections of the society while undertaking his/her professional work.

The present Government has arrested those for whom the eminent persons have raised their voices not arbitrarily but for alleged violations of law. Let the law then take its own course and let no one, not even the eminent persons, exert any influence in this matter. In the current army drive, no one is outside the purview of this drive. So what makes the journalists or the writers so special that they should be exempted? High-sounding phrases such as freedom of expression should not confuse us for we know how much responsibility our writers and journalists show in either writing or their reporting.

There is a conspiracy afloat to tarnish the image of Bangladesh as a liberal democratic country with a Muslim majority and identify it as a fundamentalist Muslim country where religious intolerance is nurtured at the highest political level. This conspiracy, if succeeds, will set Bangladesh decades behind in its development efforts. If there was truth in this contention, then one could take a different view of those behind the conspiracy. But that the truth is quite to the contrary is the sad part of this conspiracy. It is only some of our journalists, writers and cultural activists who believe to the contrary and play to the hands of the conspirators or that some of them are either voluntarily or involuntarily part of the conspiracy. The statement of the eminent persons has reminded us also of the recent utterances of the Leader of the Opposition and we see a clear link between the statement of the eminent persons and those of coming from her. Shahjahan Ahmed Dhanmandi, Dhaka

'Sheikh Hasina and our image abroad'

This is in reference to the letter "Sheikh Hasina and our image abroad".

Is it solely Sheikh Hasina's responsibility to maintain the image of the nation? Or in another word, is it only the Leader of the Opposition who is up against ruining our image?

What have the ruling party done so far? Have we already forgotten the minority oppression which started immediately after the general election? This wasn't considered as another feather added in the

cap of our improved image! What about the ban on FEER issue? How was our image improved by banning an internationally reputed magazine? Then started Operation Clean Heart. We are so desperate that we need the army to maintain law and order situation and we are concerned about our image! At least we didn't needed the army when AL was in power.

AL didn't at least arrest any foreign journalists. They didn't lock up our intellectuals with criminals like 'Banga Babu'. There wasn't any death in custody, at least the number remained under 40.

We don't acknowledge anything positive as long as we have it. We never acknowledged AL and the good things they have done for us. This is not fair.

Shahin Samad

Purana Paltan, Dhaka

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This is in response to Mr. Sultan Mahmoud Shariff's letter.

First of all he lives in the UK and has a rudimentary knowledge of the real situation in Bangladesh! He is just like any other blank Westerner who has been made to believe that only Sheikh Hasina is suitable for ruling the country because she is the so-called daughter of democracy or she is secular while Khaleda Zia is pro-Islamic and undemocratic.

If Mr Shariff has been following the events in Bangladesh he would have learned that Sheikh Hasina is the only Bangladeshi who has branded her country as a Taliban-terrorist-fundamentalist state! She did it while she was the Prime Minister and as the Opposition Leader as well. Let Mr. Shariff tell me what he expects from the non-Bangladeshi.

What will they think of Sheikh Hasina?

If Mr. Shariff thinks by tarnishing the image of Bangladesh abroad, Sheikh Hasina is doing the nation a great service then where is his patriotism? And what about his intellectual reasoning? Who is Sheikh Hasina to attract international attention for human rights violations in Bangladesh when the media is as powerful nowadays as it has ever been? Nothing can be hidden in this age of information super highway. She could have done the same during her rule which was the worst in living memory!

And finally no sane thinking Bangladeshi will ever think of thanking Sheikh Hasina for the mess she is creating in the name of alerting the international community for human rights violations. Nobody asked her to do that. The Bangladeshis are conscious people. Sheikh Hasina should concentrate on the human rights violations in her party and step down for not living up to the people's expectations! BB

On e-mail

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I have read quite a few letters with interest on this subject. Some people's view is that Sheikh Hasina should not have said those things in foreign countries. I feel strongly that she should have been criticised if she told lies. But nobody has made an allegation that she did so. So, my conclusion is that she has stated the facts. It is an absolute fantasy to think that people outside Bangladesh knew about what is going on there only when Sk. Hasina said it.

The best way to maintain the image of our country is to not to let any bad things happen here. If bad things do happen here then these should be discussed and criticised. It will be dishonest to suppress them. We should remember what philosopher Machiaveli said. He said that dishonest politicians wouldn't dare to do bad things if they get known to the people. This is the reason why bad politicians try to suppress freedom of news media.

If as the Leader of the Opposition Sk. Hasina does not speak out against any undesirable happenings then I am sure she will be accused of failing to do her duties. Waheed Nabi

Sheffield, England

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Sheikh Hasina and her comments regarding Bangladesh's current Government allegedly patronising and sheltering Al-Qaeda have purged the intellectual appetites of many lately. Let us not be emotional about this but rather rationally focus on the possible consequences of her remarks and her motives.

The consequences to the world would be that our image as a country that has achieved democracy in a relatively short span of time would be tarnished, we will be put in the group of countries that are noncooperative to the current world fight against terrorism and as a corollary we will receive less aid and economic support from the developed countries. Therefore, this would definitely not assist the export earnings and even internal infrastructural development. One cannot but think that whether she is not aware of the consequences mentioned above, she does have a huge pool of think tanks! So, it can be deduced that it is unlikely she is unaware.

If that is so, then one has to question whether making a global uproar about Bangladesh's sheltering Al-

Qaeda was her only option given that her statements were true. She is the opposition leader and the chairman of the oldest and most decorated political party in the country. She could have flashed this information in the local newspapers provided she had at her disposal the necessary evidence to back her statements. This way the world would have known that even if the Government is pro Al-Qaeda, the people of Bangladesh will not tolerate it and they can force the Government in doing otherwise. Adoption of the latter strategy would have benefited her in both ways, improving her and Bangladesh's image and would have gone a long way in facilitating her chances of victory in the next election.

Imran Karim

University of Rochester

New crime combat

I am glad to hear that the new RAT squad will come into action from January with 'smart officers'. Sort of a Bangladeshi SWAT team or a Tactical Firearms Squad like the English have.

I am just curious, how will these smart officers be chosen from a force as thoroughly corrupt and politically influenced as our police?

Will these smart officers be paid on the same scale as Army officers or will they receive the same pittance, about half of what my servant makes?

It's good to see that the police are getting motivational training, although I dread the kind of motivational training this government comes up with.

But as The Daily Star mentioned recently, if memory serves for the first time ever, the cost of one frigate or a couple of MIGs can save our police. Will any money be diverted from the Army's businesses or budget to help equip, train and pay the police a living wage? As a matter of fact, if the army can run hotels, banks and wedding halls why not the police?

Sonku

Dhaka

"Save Dhanmondi"

I agree wholeheartedly with Rabeya Rahim about the mess that Dhanmondi has become thanks to the mushroom like growth of schools, clinics and shops in the residential area. Massive amounts of garbage lie uncollected. Why does the municipal corporation not implement garbage bins for every household like in most major cities of the world? Households will be required to empty their garbage in the bins and the bins will be placed outside the house two designated days a week for the municipal corporation to empty. Why can this simple system not be implemented?

I was told by an elderly resident that there are apparently 12 sweepers in charge of just road no 12A (old 22) and yet the drains along that road are never cleaned. With whose permission are the numerous tailoring shops and 'paaner dokan/tea stalls' operating in every nook and corner of Dhanmondi? Banners and signs advertising shops, schools, etc hang from every tree branch, even telephone and electricity lines. Why have the authorities not taken steps to ban them?

It is the duty of The Daily Star and other responsible newspapers to investigate and tell the public how unscrupulous landlords have managed to build commercial complexes and buildings in the residen-tial area. We insist The Daily Star to investigate the matter and force RAJUK to give us an answer.

F Hussain

UK

Slums in Gulshan

I was quite pleased to read a letter ("Growth of slums in Gulshan, December 28) on the ever-growing slums in the Gulshan area, especially the lakeside areas of the Gulshan-Banani lake that has been completely occupied by slums.

I go for regular walks in this area and get disgusted seeing the slums. Their growth and strong hold on the area indicates that they get either police or political protection. These slums provide a safe haven for the drug dealers and criminals.

I request the authorities concerned to take immediate steps to

clean up these areas. I would also like to see an editorial written in your esteemed newspaper on this matter especially on the patronisation of the political interest and police protection to the criminals. The current army operations must look into this matter.

Z.A. Khan

Gulshan, Dhaka

"Interpreting history" Thanks to Hasnat Abdul Hye for his scholastic article "Interpreting history" (December 27).

E. H. Carr's view that 'History may be made by man (and women) but it has a mind of its own' is not acceptable to many scholars. Hegel's Philosophy of History was the first attempt to place history in the perspective of philosophy. Karl Marx tried to explain history in relation to its economic aspect bringing in the doctrine of dialectical materialism.

The class struggle was always there but for a revolution the proper time was not there. Future was never a utopia to anyone and that was never in India at all. The Indus Civilisation was a proof that India despite its very philosophical way of life the people of India had a vision of future.

After the liberation of Bangladesh, Romila Thapar came to Dhaka and I had a chance to meet her. As Mr. Hye said, she is indeed a genius and authority on Indian history. She is not influenced by any outside ideology and her scholastic views are based on archaeological and historical facts. The question of Hindu nationalism which I don't consider as a threat to India's record as a tolerant nation. This is a frustration and a matter which will evaporate as education and economic emancipation takes place in the society.

Akbar Hussain

Toronto, Canada

Right and wrong

I am referring to the letter "Let's act like responsible citizens" by Shafiqur Rahman Khan (December 23). I want to justify why I cannot act like a responsible citizen.

From personal level to national level, national level to international level, you'll see everywhere injustice, hypocrisy and double standard. Look at America's world policies. Look at their appalling aggression towards the Muslim world. Look at their use of power towards Iraq. Being the most civilised, educated and most powerful country in the world how they've become so blind to serve their selfish interest!

At the national level the same situation prevails. As Mr Shafiqur Rahman Khan rightly wrote when the American Ambassador says something good about our country, we very happily accept that but when the same person pinpoints the negative sides of our Government then we say we do not need foreign prescription to run our country. The Government is always perfect according to the ruling party and the opposition is always against the Government

Even at personal level we never dare to go against our loved ones if he/she does something wrong. We try to hide our loved ones' misdeeds with our best effort whereas the same misdeeds of others become the talk of the town.

I really don't know what should be done to become a responsible citizen. Why can't the definition of right and wrong be the same to everybody?

Shahrin Hussain Tania

Old D.O.H.S, Dhaka

Slave-master relationship

The world has a new slave-master relationship. What was the need for the old colonial masters to go away? We might at least have been saved from the unnecessary illusions and the trouble of new adjustments.

A. K. M. Mohiddin, Lalmatia, Dhaka

It's not always about politics, rather a matter of decency Political rivalry is obvious in a modern democratic society and it's

expected as a contributive process to enrich democracy. When a political party knows its options to criticise policies adopted by its rivals, it makes politics more informative and, in some way, brings in more choices for the people to assess their role in system.

Yet, such a complement is appropriate only when we talk about politics as a reason to decide issues that concerns people and their interests into democracy as a mechanism of self-governance. However, it's regrettable the way such a viable democratic measure has been abused during Awami League Council. Is there any decent politician in AL who would say their party made a mistake making statements against the Government on the invitation card for the Council meeting? It pulls me on surprise that the derogatory remarks against government printed on the card was sent to the Secretary and the Chairman of BNP knowing that the invitation will hurt them for what was written on it.

I have no question regarding the fact that AL serves as partner of our democratic system, and it, in fact, did a lot of struggle in its effort to let democracy organise a modern shape in Bangladesh. I am sure that Sheikh Hasina travelled around the world more than any other leader in our country when she enjoyed elected premiership of our country. However, is she posing a positive posture about our politics and democracy smacking the decency she needs to uphold to bring sanity into our politics? Couldn't she edit the invitation card before sending it to the BNP?

I ask Hasina and all Awami leaders engaged in making such arrangements to take a serious look not to deprive the party further from what they could earn just being decent.

Dhananjoy Roy

New York, USA

On Iraq

I must say that I appreciate Mahmood Elahi's continued efforts to try and convince some readers of the validity of the US position in regards to Iraq. I wholeheartedly agree with him. The American might has on the whole been a force for good.

Most Bangladeshis when criticising America also yearn to live there. This I don't understand. The American government and its policies are not independent of the wishes of their people. Although there are many dissenters in the US to the Bush administrations policies, it is still popular with most Americans.

The US should invade Iraq, reunite Korea, deal with the Chinese menace and try to spread the gospel of capitalism and freedom everywhere in the world.

Sabyasachi

Dhaka

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This is in reference to Mahmood Elahi's letter "America does not need new pretexts to attack Iraq" (December 28).

It's true, America does not need any pretext to attack Iraq. After all might is right. The only reason America is delaying the attack is that their initial financing strategy did not work as they expected. This time around there is a shortage of willing dummies to carry the cost of the war. Last time Saudi Arabia and Kuwait paid all the bills of the Desert Storm extravaganza. Since then the Arabs have learned their lesson. That's why no matter how convincing the media propaganda or the paid agents' arguments look, the Arab leaders are not stepping on Uncle Sam's petrodollar squeezing trap.

But what the heck, Iraq's enormous wealth would be enough to recover the war expenses, America can go alone. But the only drawback is that Mr. Bush's name would remain, on the pages of the history books as a bad guy, for the posterity to remember. Does he care?

Shukla Mirza

Qatar

"Friends of the East"

I agree with Mr. Saeed on his observations about our relationship with

India and how it has never been what we intended it to be. India undoubtedly, enjoys a major influx of foreign currencies through Bangladeshis who travel across. A large number of those, travel with the hope of getting a better medical treatment at a reasonable cost. Therein I believe lies the crux of the matter.

Proper medical treatment with a limited income in Bangladesh is almost a dream and one in fact dreads at what one actually gets in the name of treatment. Those involved with the medical services in Bangladesh (doctors, nurses, administrators) are a different category by themselves. The least said about them the better. Add the laboratories to that and the situation is not a pleasing sight. The best option thus for those with limited income is to travel across the border. I do agree, that the service they get from the country across either is not always top notch but compared to what we get here at the same cost is definitely more than satisfactory.

From personal experience of visiting a number of hospitals in Calcutta I have noticed that people who actually come to these places are the ones coming from lower to lower middle class. With a nominal transport cost it makes it easier for them to travel to India and get at least a semblance of treatment.

The Government thus would do better if they could create an atmosphere (perhaps tying up with the Eastern neighbours would be one of the processes to do so) in the country where people involved with medical services can achieve some credibility with the mass.

Rezaul Karim

Malibagh, Dhaka

"The existing B.C.S exam system"

This is in reference to the letter of Mr. Sakur ("The existing B.C.S system requiring a massive reform").

Mr. Sakur, I appreciate your concern for our B.C.S exam system. It is certainly not the best way to recruit class one government officials. I also want PSC to give more thought in this recruiting system especially in the preliminary exam. We know that in every B.C.S exam the government fails to fill up some of the vacant seats in the professional cadre quota (like doctors etc.), which is highly required. It does not mean that, candidates for the professional cadres who failed in the preliminary exam are not qualified, but it is the exam system that fails to judge the candidates in a proper way.

Candidates who apply for the professional cadre should not take part in the preliminary exam as these candidates are not competing for the posts which the general students compete for through the preliminary exam.

The preliminary exam should be held in such a way that it has no bias for candidates from a particular discipline instead it should judge the candidate's communicative skill, analytical ability as well as his general knowledge national and international matter.

I have some reservations for some types of the questions regarding the papers like Bangla and History where specific dates, name of the character of a novel or the name of the writer are asked. These type of questions certainly give extra advantages to the candidates coming from history or literature background. And most importantly, these type of question force the professional and other cadres to memorise those topics, which eventually will not help to improve the candidate's efficiency. This is not only wastage of time but also wastage of merit.

Md. Mynul Mamun, Dhaka

Bus route from

Mirpur

Recently the Government has allocated BRTC's new city service buses to ply between Mirpur to Motijheel and Mirpur-Azimpur route. We appreciate the government's new initiative to ease people's diffi-

culties.

As the Government has banned plying of two stroke baby taxis from 1st January 2003, it will be difficult to get a taxi from Mirpur-2 area. All the buses starting point are from Pallabi or from Mirpur-10 or Mirpur-1 area. The people of Mirpur-2 area would face serious problem in availing of a bus from Mirpur-2 because most of the buses reach here almost fully loaded.

Mirpur-2 has become quite a busy area as some prestigious institutions like Grameen Bank, Mirpur University College, National Heart Foundation and Mirpur Head post office etc are located here. But people who commute from Mirpur-2 area either need to go to Mirpur-1 or Mirpur-10 area to board a bus.

Considering the above we would appeal to the Government to introduce a new city service from Mirpur-2. If taken this decision, people from Mirpur-2 and Mirpur-6 area will be highly benefited. It will also reduce traffic congestion at Mirpur-2 and Mirpur-10 areas.

S. M. Khalequez Zaman

Barabagh, Mirpur-2