Ershad leaves bitter Bangladesh legacy

Hussein Muhammad Ershad, former military ruler and president of Bangladesh (Photo: Stephan Uttom/ucanews)

“Hating someone makes him important, forgiving someone makes him obsolete,” is a saying that appeared ironic in Bangladesh when Hussein Muhammad Ershad died on July 14 at the age of 89.

To most Bangladeshis, the country’s second and, hopefully, last military dictator was not worthy of forgiveness, even after death.

He was one of the most hated persons for most people who went through or knew about his iron-fisted military regime from 1982-90. His death following a long battle with illness has triggered more loathing than sympathy among the public and media.

Ershad’s demise has brought an end to his long, controversial military and political careers marked by ups and downs. But his unsavory political legacy is likely to hang over Bangladesh in the years to come.

No relief for minorities in Bangladesh as crisis looms

In some senses the term "minority" is disparaging as it denotes the weakness or powerlessness of a group. It also indicates that a group is inferior to another party and instills in that group a perpetual inferiority complex while implying it can expect to be further neglected and marginalized.

Yet being in a minority for many people and groups is an everyday reality, be it in a religious, ethnic, socio-economic or political sense.

Bangladesh has two major groups of minorities — religious and ethnic — who are visibly more weak and powerless, inferior and disenfranchised than the economically, politically and numerically dominant Muslim majority. 

Bangladesh faces spring of discontent ahead of election

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader Khaleda Zia speaks at a press conference in Dhaka on Feb. 7. She proclaimed her innocence of corruption ahead of a court verdict that authorities fear could spark violence. (Photo by Munir Uz Zaman/AFP)

February is one of the most pleasant months in Bangladesh. Besides enjoyable weather, it features a month-long book fair and a commemoration program dedicated to Language Movement heroes of Feb. 21, 1952. It also showcases the colorful spring festival, Valentine's Day and many other cultural feasts.    

But this year, February has come to make Bangladeshis visibly tense and scared.

After a few years of relative peace and stability, Bangladesh is bracing for a political storm poised to hit the entire Muslim-majority nation of 160 million.

A Dhaka court is due to deliver a verdict on Feb. 8 in a corruption case against Khaleda Zia, chief of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), the second largest political party. 

BNP rally raises tension in Bangladesh capital

 

A deserted street of Bangladesh's capital Dhaka ahead of opposition rally

A rally by the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) today has locked down the capital, with city transportation limited or shut down and security forces out in force. 

The Dhaka Cholo, or March to Dhaka, was announced late last year by BNP chairman Khaleda Zia, in an effort to galvanize opposition forces throughout Dhaka to oppose the policies of the ruling Awami League and call for a non-party caretaker government ahead of national polls in 2014. 

Opposition leaders have said that the rally, to be conducted at locations throughout the city, would be the largest in the country’s history. Fear of violence has left most businesses and public transportation shut. 

Habibur Biswas, an office worker, said the disruption of transportation services had created difficulties for workers and students but stressed that political parties should reach a peaceful resolution to their disputes. 

“If the political parties are tolerant and patient, the people won’t need to suffer and [will] live in peace,” he said. 

Holy Cross Sister Shikha Gomes, principal of the Holy Cross College for Girls, said the rally had kept many students at home. 

“Only 5 or 6 students dared to come for class today out of a total of 2,390 [students]. We have not declared a holiday but parents have called us, saying they won’t send their children today over fears of violence.” 

The head of a government-run school said no students turned up today. 

“Our teachers have come but none of the more than 2,200 students,” said the principal, who asked not to be named. 

Awami League leaders have criticized the opposition for creating public suffering by calling for the rally. Local media reports have said that Awami activists have blocked highways and waterways in response to the rally. 

Home Minister Sahara Khatun at a press conference yesterday denied that party members or government officials had closed roads or businesses. 

“We have beefed up security to avoid anarchy. The government has not restricted vehicles and hotels [from operating]. Police are just observing regular duties.” 

BNP acting secretary Mirza Fakrul Islam said today that the opposition was upset over the “undemocratic attitude” of the government and hoped the rally would be a success amid restrictions. 

The government has launched an undeclared war against people and cut the capital off from the rest of the country. We have never seen such a situation in the past and such oppression by the government,” he said yesterday. 

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Original Article:

BNP rally raises tension in Bangladesh capital