Many eyebrows were raised when Muhammad Yunus, Chief Advisor of the Interim government termed his country as ‘New Bangladesh’ and claimed that all citizens irrespective of their religion and political belief, are members of a family. But the actions taken by his government and the witch-hunt launched against the political opponents nail his lies and expose his government.
Government Of Army Disguised As Civilian?
The decisions taken by the government and its composition also make it clear that it is not a civilian government, rather, it is a government controlled and run by the Bangladesh Army and dominated by fundamental Islamist forces. These forces have been waging a war against the secular and liberal forces in this South Asian country, though they have been on the fringes for decades. In a bloodless coup seemingly engineered by a powerful country with geostrategic interests and designs in the region, those forces have captured the power.
Student Leaders Tilted Towards Islamic Fundamentalism?
Though the movement against a hugely unpopular Sheikh Hasina government was joined by thousands of students and hundreds of thousands of people from different walks of society across the country, it was led by a handful of student leaders. Most of the student leaders were from Dhaka University, which opposed the Chhatra League, the student wing of the Awami League, with a clear tilt towards Islamic fundamentalism.
Sheikh Mujibur Rehman’s Statues Vandalised
Secondly, the statues of Sheikh Mujibur Rehman, the chief architect of the formation of Bangladesh, were vandalized and those behind them mostly were sympathizers of the Islamic cause.
No Holiday On Martyrs’ Day
Thirdly, the interim government declared that there would be no holiday on August 15, the day on which Sheikh Mujib and his family members were assassinated in 1975. People celebrated, danced, and sang on this day. Those who wanted to pay homage to “Banga Bandhu” at his house called “Battirish” or “32” were stopped, and some of them were arrested.
Demonstration By Islamic State’s Outfit
Fourthly, after the ransacking of the prime minister’s official residence “Gana Bhavan” and the storming of the parliament, a demonstration was held outside the Sansad Bhavan, where the slogan of “Muktir ek i path, khilafat, khilafat” (the only way of liberation is the establishment of the caliphate) was raised, and no one objected to it. It was led by an outfit, representing the Islamic State.
Members of Islamic Outfit In Interim Government
Fifthly, two members of the interim government represent two different Islamic organisations with clear agenda of making Bangladesh an Islamic country, ruled by Sharia.
The student movement was hijacked and later controlled and led by the fundamentalist organization, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami.
Hindus Attacked, Killed
Though the Nobel laureate visited Dhakeshwari temple and assured the priests and Hindu community leaders of the security and safety of the minority community, Hindus were at the receiving end of the violence and anarchy. It is also a fact that Muslims in many areas came out to support and defend their Hindu brethren.
Witch-hunt Targeting Awami League
Not only the leaders but workers and even sympathizers of the Awami League are being hounded and targeted. Many ministers of the Sheikh Hasina government have been arrested and scores of cases, including those of murder, genocide, and crime against humanity, have been filed against them. One of the former ministers was thrashed while being produced in the court while another one was humiliated inside the court premises. The former prime minister has been slapped with 52 cases.
Awami League Members Arrested, Framed, Killed
Former law minister Anisul Huq and Sheikh Hasina’s private sector affairs adviser Salman F Rahman were arrested from Dhaka’s main river port Sadarghat terminal.
Former Foreign Minister Hassan Mahmud and former Social Welfare Minister Dipu Moni, pro-left Workers Party Chairman Rashed Khan Menon, and scores of former lawmakers and Awami League leaders have been arrested.
Cricketer Mustafizur Rehman’s House Torched
Even cricketers of international repute who won laurels for the country were not spared for being close to the party that was removed from the government. While the marauding crowd torched the house of Mustafizur Rehman, legendary all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has been slapped with murder charges.
Shakib Al Hasan Faces Murder Charge
The cricketer who has been associated with Sheikh Hasina is the only player to have scored more than 14,000 runs and scalped more than 600 wickets.
One can ask the founder of the Grameen Bank whether these cases are genuine or whether these people have been targeted for their political alliance.
Is It Inclusive Government?
Immediately after Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country, Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-uz-Zaman said in the first press conference held that he would consult all political parties and meet their representatives. But Awami League, the party with the maximum number of lawmakers, was not invited.
Non-Representative Govt, Controlled By Army
None from the interim government is an elected representative, not even the Nobel Prize winner. Baishamya Birodhi Chhatra Andolan, the umbrella student organization that spearheaded the movement suggested the name of Muhammad Yunus as the chief advisor and he nominated other members, including those who were close to him. Bangladesh Army is at the top of the structure and controls the entire structure.
Is it an inclusive government that represents all sections of society and people with divergent political beliefs? Is it a family that targets its members? Dr Yunus has to answer many such questions.
