Zafar Iqbal, the ChetoNazi amongst Us

We know of the fact that intellectuals can shape a destiny of a nation, if they stand by their conscience and what is right. History has given us enough examples of intellectuals who lost the respect of the masses due to sale of their allegiances to the tyrants and oppressors of their people in return for short lived fame and glory.  History has side by side also given us examples of numerous intellectuals whose stand by their conscience has made them immortal. Great intellectuals such as Socrates are proof of that. Let us examine one such case.

Eminent Bangladeshi writer and national literary and cultural icon Muhammed Zafar Iqbal on Friday blamed the government for the leak of question papers of the ongoing Higher Secondary Certificate examinations and demanded a public hearing to reach a solution to the problem. Zafar Iqbal, also Shahjalal University of Science and Technology professor, made the demand as he led a sit in at the Central Shaheed Minar in protest at the leak of the question papers. 

Despite having evidence of question papers being leaked, the government had rejected the allegations, said Zafar Iqbal, also a member of the committee to frame the Education Policy 2010. He urged the government to arrange public hearing where prominent academics, teachers, students and guardians would exchange their views to reach a solution to the leak of question papers of public examinations. He, however, urged the young generation for launching a tough movement against the leaking of question papers. 

Saying this he left the programme and went to another program in the afternoon, where Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid presented him with the Chandrabarti Children’s Literature Award. Zafar Iqbal was seen sitting along with Nahid, the two friends happily chatting away throughout the programme. 

Now this was right after the program where Zafar spoke out against Nahid..........yes, right after when he spoke out AGAINST him!!! 

What does this tell us about Zafar Iqbal, eminent professor, well known atheist and apparently a shameless blatant supporter of the government?

That his words were just that, words. That he started actually protesting right at the end of the saga of the question leaks in order to save his image and skin simultaneously so as to keep up the camouflage. That he had always remained subservient to the government, as subservient as he was on the January 5 elections at the beginning of this year, where the writer came down heavily on a section of the media for their stand against holding the 10th parliamentary elections in Bangladesh on the 5th of January, 2013, amid a boycott by the main opposition party, alleging that those who had been calling for halting the electoral process were actually trying to ensure the participation of Jamaat-e-Islami in the election. 

Such actions and views of this eminent writer showcase a dark side of the personality behind the man that many are not aware of, and fail to see or comprehend. Zafar Iqbal may be a remarkably talented man, but the atheist cum self professed hater of Islamic education and politics has always had a clear stand regarding Islam, Islamic education, Islamic way of life and the role of Islam based politics in a secular state. Few are ignorant of the videos of Zafar Iqbal dancing recklessly with girls his daughter’s age or of pictures of his daughter drinking alcohol. A life long professor of secular values and a westernized way of life in favour of negating cultural and religious values of the society from which he emanates, Zafar Iqbal through his writings and actions led a generation astray, forcing down their throats a biased narrative of history that helped successive chetoNazis exploit the sentiments of millions, pitting them against their own culture and more importantly against Islam, weaning them away from moral values and social and cultural norms, and throughout the process denied any responsibility for the monster of ignorance residing with a cluesless generation he helped to create. 

Lets not shirk from the truth. Zafar Iqbal, with that silent secretive smile behind the trademark moustache, has destroyed a generation and probably more.      

If you are watching this, I'm either in solitary confinement, a hospital bed or dead #FreeSoltan

A new video showing 26-year-old American hunger striker Mohamed Soltan, held in an Egyptian prison for almost 200 days, was aired on Tuesday evening. 

The video released by CNN’s Christiane Amanpour shows Soltan speaking to camera and appealing directly to US President Obama and the international community. 

"If you’re watching this it means I'm either in solitary confinement in a dungeon somewhere with no access to the outside world or I'm in a hospital bed because the hunger strike I started January 26… has gotten the better of me or I’m dead,” Soltan said. “If I'm still alive, then I ask my government, the government of the United States of America, is my life not worth anything to you? Has the life of American citizens become worthless or is it because my name is Mohamed?

“Your government moved mountains and sent a charted plane to evacuate my fellow  blond hair, blue eyed Americans who were being detained by the same Egyptian military back in 2012, so why am I any different? Is it because my father is not some rich well-connected congressman or is it because my father is an Islamic scholar, an Islamic Academic? Or is it because, like you sir, I have an Arabic name?" the Ohio State graduate added.  

The video comes on the second day of Egypt's presidential elections and is likely to put more pressure on the Obama administration in its dealing with the Egyptian authorities. 

Soltan was arrested in the wake of the 2012 Rabaa massacre in Egypt in which pro-Morsi supporters were killed and arrested en masse following the overthrow of former President Mohamed Morsi. Soltan was shot in the arm in the days leading up to his arrest and claims to have been denied medical treatment in prison, where he says he was forced to rely on a fellow inmate to operate crudely on his wounds.

Despite being an ally of Egypt, the American authorities have expressed concern recently over developments such as the mass death sentences passed down on hundreds of members and supporters of the Egytptian Brotherhood. State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki called the death sentences "unconscionable." 

Her comments echoed similar statements made by Secretary of State John Kerry in March. 

"I am deeply, deeply troubled by the sudden and unprecedented decision by an Egyptian court to issue preliminary death sentences for 529 citizens after a quick mass trial. It simply defies logic", Kerry said.

He urged the "appropriate Egyptian authorities to remedy the situation," adding that the decision does not reflect the values and goals to which the interim government has aspired to. 

The State Department last week said it had no new specific updates on this case but said it could look into it. There has been no response on this issue yet.

In the last few weeks and months there have been growing concerns over the failing state of Soltan’s health as a result of the prolonged hunger strike which has now reached 122 days.

In the video, Soltan explains why he chose to begin his open-ended hunger strike. 

I've started my hunger strike “because I was brought up a free man so my decision was to peacefully challenge and resist oppression entirely," Soltan said. "That even if the Egyptian military is able to jail me and my own government insists on abandoning me, I still control my own destiny. I still control my own fate and that to me is what being free and what being an American is all about."

Middle East Eye

A new video showing 26-year-old American hunger striker Mohamed Soltan, held in an Egyptian prison for almost 200 days, was aired on Tuesday evening.
The video released by CNN’s Christiane Amanpour shows Soltan speaking to camera and appealing directly to US President Obama and the international community.
A copy of the video was also obtained by the Middle East Eye and shows the young Egyptian-American pleading with Obama to do more to secure his freedom.
"If you’re watching this it means I'm either in solitary confinement in a dungeon somewhere with no access to the outside world or I'm in a hospital bed because the hunger strike I started January 26… has gotten the better of me or I’m dead,” Soltan said. “If I'm still alive, then I ask my government, the government of the United States of America, is my life not worth anything to you? Has the life of American citizens become worthless or is it because my name is Mohamed?
“Your government moved mountains and sent a charted plane to evacuate my fellow  blond hair, blue eyed Americans who were being detained by the same Egyptian military back in 2012, so why am I any different? Is it because my father is not some rich well-connected congressman or is it because my father is an Islamic scholar, an Islamic Academic? Or is it because, like you sir, I have an Arabic name?" the Ohio State graduate added.  
The video comes on the second day of Egypt's presidential elections and is likely to put more pressure on the Obama administration in its dealing with the Egyptian authorities. 
Soltan was arrested in the wake of the 2012 Rabaa massacre in Egypt in which pro-Morsi supporters were killed and arrested en masse following the overthrow of former President Mohamed Morsi. Soltan was shot in the arm in the days leading up to his arrest and claims to have been denied medical treatment in prison, where he says he was forced to rely on a fellow inmate to operate crudely on his wounds.
Despite being an ally of Egypt, the American authorities have expressed concern recently over developments such as the mass death sentences passed down on hundreds of members and supporters of the Egytptian Brotherhood. State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki called the death sentences "unconscionable."
Her comments echoed similar statements made by Secretary of State John Kerry in March.
"I am deeply, deeply troubled by the sudden and unprecedented decision by an Egyptian court to issue preliminary death sentences for 529 citizens after a quick mass trial. It simply defies logic", Kerry said.
He urged the "appropriate Egyptian authorities to remedy the situation," adding that the decision does not reflect the values and goals to which the interim government has aspired to.
The State Department last week said it had no new specific updates on this case but said it could look into it. MEE has contacted the State Department but did receive a response in time for publication.
In the last few weeks and months there have been growing concerns over the failing state of Soltan’s health as a result of the prolonged hunger strike which has now reached 121 days.
In the video, Soltan explains why he chose to begin his open-ended hunger strike.
I've started my hunger strike “because I was brought up a free man so my decision was to peacefully challenge and resist oppression entirely," Soltan said. "That even if the Egyptian military is able to jail me and my own government insists on abandoning me, I still control my own destiny. I still control my own fate and that to me is what being free and what being an American is all about."
- See more at: http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/american-hunger-striker-egypt-jail-appeals-obama-new-video#sthash.xlW4bNvd.dpuf

A new video showing 26-year-old American hunger striker Mohamed Soltan, held in an Egyptian prison for almost 200 days, was aired on Tuesday evening.
The video released by CNN’s Christiane Amanpour shows Soltan speaking to camera and appealing directly to US President Obama and the international community.
A copy of the video was also obtained by the Middle East Eye and shows the young Egyptian-American pleading with Obama to do more to secure his freedom.
"If you’re watching this it means I'm either in solitary confinement in a dungeon somewhere with no access to the outside world or I'm in a hospital bed because the hunger strike I started January 26… has gotten the better of me or I’m dead,” Soltan said. “If I'm still alive, then I ask my government, the government of the United States of America, is my life not worth anything to you? Has the life of American citizens become worthless or is it because my name is Mohamed?
“Your government moved mountains and sent a charted plane to evacuate my fellow  blond hair, blue eyed Americans who were being detained by the same Egyptian military back in 2012, so why am I any different? Is it because my father is not some rich well-connected congressman or is it because my father is an Islamic scholar, an Islamic Academic? Or is it because, like you sir, I have an Arabic name?" the Ohio State graduate added.  
The video comes on the second day of Egypt's presidential elections and is likely to put more pressure on the Obama administration in its dealing with the Egyptian authorities. 
Soltan was arrested in the wake of the 2012 Rabaa massacre in Egypt in which pro-Morsi supporters were killed and arrested en masse following the overthrow of former President Mohamed Morsi. Soltan was shot in the arm in the days leading up to his arrest and claims to have been denied medical treatment in prison, where he says he was forced to rely on a fellow inmate to operate crudely on his wounds.
Despite being an ally of Egypt, the American authorities have expressed concern recently over developments such as the mass death sentences passed down on hundreds of members and supporters of the Egytptian Brotherhood. State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki called the death sentences "unconscionable."
Her comments echoed similar statements made by Secretary of State John Kerry in March.
"I am deeply, deeply troubled by the sudden and unprecedented decision by an Egyptian court to issue preliminary death sentences for 529 citizens after a quick mass trial. It simply defies logic", Kerry said.
He urged the "appropriate Egyptian authorities to remedy the situation," adding that the decision does not reflect the values and goals to which the interim government has aspired to.
The State Department last week said it had no new specific updates on this case but said it could look into it. MEE has contacted the State Department but did receive a response in time for publication.
In the last few weeks and months there have been growing concerns over the failing state of Soltan’s health as a result of the prolonged hunger strike which has now reached 121 days.
In the video, Soltan explains why he chose to begin his open-ended hunger strike.
I've started my hunger strike “because I was brought up a free man so my decision was to peacefully challenge and resist oppression entirely," Soltan said. "That even if the Egyptian military is able to jail me and my own government insists on abandoning me, I still control my own destiny. I still control my own fate and that to me is what being free and what being an American is all about."
- See more at: http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/american-hunger-striker-egypt-jail-appeals-obama-new-video#sthash.xlW4bNvd.dpuf

We demand justice for Afzal Hossain, Shibir leader from Rajshahi

After illegally arresting Rajshahi University Shibir leader Afzal Hossain, police have tortured him using hammers, iron rods and sticks, breaking his arms and legs in the process. Officials of Shibir revealed such shocking allegations against the police at a press briefing on the 26th of May, 2014. They strongly protested the incident perpetrated by the security forces.

The briefing said that police had arrested two Shibir activists, Afzal Hossain and Shahiduzzaman without any reason whatsoever on Saturday, the 24th of May, 2014. Afzal Hossain, sports secretary of Shibir at Rajshahi University was going on his motorcycle at Talaimari area beside the university at 9:30 pm when he was apprehended by security forces. However, police initially denied their arrest. In the meantime, Motihar thana police tortured Afzal using hammers, iron rods and sticks, breaking his arms and legs in the process. Despite the barbaric nature of the above, the police further claimed back then that he had been arrested from a ‘gunfight’ , and had taken Afzal at the dead of the night to a quiet area and shot his leg to prove their claim of a ‘cop catches terrorist during gunfight’ story.

Picture: Afzal Hossain beside the grave of Sharizzaman Nomani, killed by BCL goons at Rajshahi

Despite the vehement falsification, the news version produced by police has been circulating in the some news media for quite some time. There is a great need to examine and condemn the barbaric nature of the police which they have displayed in arresting opposition activists, especially Shibir activists. It will be wise to remember that just a few days ago, Jessore City Shibir president Jahidul Islam Mondol was similarly unwarrantedly detained by police and later shot in the leg in the dead of the night of 13th May 2014, the very day after his father Abul Khayer travelled to Jessore Press Club and pleaded with the police to not make his son a victim of 'crossfire'. Today, he has been rendered crippled. He was among six Shibir activists shot by police with firearms within 22 days in Jessore. The question remains, what was his fault?

Picture: Jahidul Islam Mondol, Jessore City Shibir President

What is the fault of Afzal Hossain? That he was an activist of Shibir? That he protested the injustices in the society by raising his voice? Who will take blame for such incidents of imaginary gunfights and fairytales of crossfire being regularly spun by the security forces with the full blessings of the government of Sheikh Hasina Wajed, self proclaimed daughter of peace, against her rivals and opposition activists?

Its time for the world to speak up. International rights groups like the Human Rights Watch have demanded an end to the injustice in the name of justice. Raise your voice. Condemn this barbarity. 

Government behind it all - Killing and abductions continue unabated in Bangladesh

On the 19th of April, at a seminar organized at Spectra Convention Center in Dhaka on shaping and implementing community policies to combat climate change, Information minister Hasanul Haq Inu came up with another great piece of information. He claimed that “to combat climate change, we first and foremost need to equip and enhance our abilities to control and combat terrorism.”

Ridiculous as the above statement may sound, Inu has been minister for quite some time now, and it is his second term in the cabinet of Sheikh Hasina. Hasanul Haq Inu, leader of one faction of the little known communist political outfit Jatiyo Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) is known for his vocal condemnations of terrorism in Bangladesh, a phenomenon which he repeatedly expounds as being a result of religious extremism championed by Islamic radicals, who according to him are everywhere to be seen in Bangladesh and are being maintained and financed by the Jamaat-e-Islami, the largest Islam based political party in Bangladesh. He is also known for his voluminous accusatory tirades against BNP and Khaleda Zia, the opposition political force to the Awami League and the 14 party Grand Alliance, of which he is party.

People like Inu (despite being politically insignificant, Inu remains an important switch for controlling the media and information flow in Bangladesh) serve a great cause, one of diverting the masses from the real problems at hand, especially the current huge problem of deteriorating law and order in Bangladesh.

The fact that Inu and other politicians of the ruling political force, the Awami League, are relatively silent on the deteriorating law and order situation in the country, speaks volumes about their hypocrisy. Put into the equation that most of the incidents of abduction and killings occurring are a result of internal feuds within the numerous factions within the Awami League, and the fact that government institutions such as the police and other security forces are been used in these incidents, and the picture becomes crystal clear. Let us investigate some recent incidents that make the picture all clear.

Jubo League leader arranged JMB kingpin's escape in Mymensingh:

An upazila-level Jubo League leader arranged safe passage for death row Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) leader Rakib Hasan Russell after he was snatched along with two other key leaders of the banned militant outfit in Mymensingh in February. Ataur Rahman Kamal, joint secretary of Bhaluka upazila unit of Jubo League, formed a six-member team to pick up Rakib from Trishal and drop him at Fulbaria in Mymensingh, said an arrestee, Kamal Hossain alias Sabuj, 38, also claimed to be involved with "Awami League politics" while talking to reporters. He was one of the eight people nabbed in different parts of the country on April 29, 2014, in connection with the sensational snatching of the JMB men.

Narayangonj seven murder:

On April 27th, 2013, Awami League supported ward-2 councillor and Narayangonj panel mayor Nazrul Islam, his four aides, and senior local lawyer Chandan Kumar Sarkar and his car’s driver were abducted in Narayanganj. The bodies of the seven were retrieved from the Shitalakhyya River at Bandar Upazila several days later.

The slain councillor’s family accused Nur Hossain, locally known to be Nazrul's rival, of being the mastermind, who paid the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) to carry out the killings. The son of a powerful Awami League lawmaker and cabinet post holder, brokered the deal with RAB men to kill Nazrul Islam, claimed Nazrul's father-in-law Shahidul Islam on May 6, 2014.

The MP's son acted on behalf of Narayanganj ward-4 Councillor Nur Hossain, the prime accused in the sensational abduction and murder case. Shahidul said a double agent had disclosed to him the plot to kill Nazrul for Tk 6 crore. The money was paid to the killers about a week before the abduction of Nazrul and his four aides on April 27 and their subsequent killing.

Despite an initial outrage from the RAB to the above information, police on May 17 arrested ex-RAB officers Lt Col (retd) Tareque Sayeed Mohammad and Major (retd) Arif Hossain  and on May 18 arrested another suspect, ex-Rab officer Lt Commander (retd) SM Masud Rana, at Dhaka Cantonment under Section 54 of the CrPC, not in the murder case. After much dilly dallying, the police accused them of involvement in the Narayanganj septuple murder case 5 days later.

In the mean time, the police have not been able to arrest any of the other six accused in the murder case. The exposure of the corrupt administrative and political apparatus in Bangladesh continues to unfold as direct involvement of current Narayangonj MP Shamim Osman have surfaced in aiding and abetting the fleeing of prime suspect Nur Hossain to India. (see leaked phone call between Shamim Osman and Nur Hossain) 

Phulgazi upazila Chairman shot, hacked and burnt to death:

Ekramil Haque, 45, Phulgazi upazila chairman and President of the Fulgazi upazila unit Awami League, was killed by shooting and hacking before burning the car he was in at Phulgazi in Feni on 20th May, 2013, Tuesday morning (Warning: Graphic picture in inset)

Picture: Charred remains of Chairman Ekramul Haque 

Three others, including a journalist, who were accompanying Ekramul Haque in the microbus on his way to the upazila council office from his house, were also injured as the group of about 50 people first exploded crude bombs and shot at the vehicle.

As the car stopped, the group dragged and chased away the three and hacked Ekramul and burnt the car with him lying inside about 11:00am. The police later recovered the charred body.

While his family say they have been forced to name local BNP leaders in the murder case all fingers remain pointed at his rivals within the party. Police investigation has opened the Pandora’s Box in this regard, as arrestees have confessed that all the men participating in the attack were loyal to Feni-2 MP Nizam uddin Hazari, with whom Ekramul had fallen out over control of the lucrative drug trade and other forms of illegal trade in the border area of Phulgazi. Digging deeper into the incident, it was found that Ekramul had hastened the need for his elimination by trying to ally with Joynal Hazari, a well known Awami League godfather in the region, who was in turn already at loggerheads with present cabinet minister Obaidul Quader and his man in the area, Nizam uddin Hazari MP.

Information from various sources reveals that Obaidul Quader has an income of about 50 crore per month from Feni, Phulgazi being an important point of control in this regard. Not only had Ekramul alienated the duo of Obaidul Quader and Nizam Hazari by refusing to pay them a share, he had also enraged the duo by publishing news containing sensitive information in the local newspapers against them. Corrupt journalists, armed with such information, on approaching Nizam Hazari MP, became silent after he agreed to pay them handsome amounts of money in return. As for Ekramul, the MP along with Obaidul Quader decided to finish him for once and all. The subsequent barbequing of Ekramul Haque was the result, and news has it that 2 crore taka was paid for carrying out the job. Just a day before the incident, i.e. on the 19th of May, 2013, the Hazarika Protidin, a news outlet owned by Joynal Hazari (allied with Ekramul Haque) ran news of the probability of the murder of the opponents of Nizam Hazari, i.e. Ekramul.

Picture: News of Hazarika Protidin with claims that opponents of Nizam MP to be killed 

That is what exactly happened.

Widespread reaction and anger:

Despite all this, the inspector general of police, Hassan Mahmood Khandker on Friday the 23rd of May, 2013, claimed that crime prevention campaign was at a satisfactory level. His comments drew sharp criticism from human rights defenders.

Rights activists said that the IGP had made the claims to ‘save his job and skin’ and his claims were far from realities. Such comments were tantamount to giving indulgence to criminals, they said adding that the police had failed to ensure safety of citizens.

The incidents have been condemned by all major parties, including BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh. Sadly, homegrown opposition figures maintained by the government like Rowshon Ershad and Hasanul Haque Inu have largely remained silent and have even defended the actions of the government and its security forces.  

Picture: Jamaat condemnation and call for nationwide protests

Condemnations of the recent incidents have not been limited to Bangladesh, as international human rights organizations like Human Rights Watch have voiced their anger and shock at the events and the widespread impunity involved and demanded immediate action action.

The Awami League has befittingly remained silent. 

Modi draws first blood against Bangladesh. Good job BSF!!!

Narendra Modi may have become India’s prime minister, but the Bharatiya Janata Party leader has a long way to go before he can win hearts and minds in neighboring Bangladesh.

In this Muslim-majority country of 140 million people, the Hindu-nationalist Mr. Modi is seen as a controversial and polarizing figure whose confrontational style may harm the delicate relationship between the south Asian neighbors.

As stressed upon in an article in the Wall Street Journal,  many people in Bangladesh are worried about Mr. Modi’s campaign rhetoric which seems to be aimed at Bangladesh. They are also concerned that Mr. Modi did not do enough to contain the communal riots in 2002 in Gujarat which killed more than 1,000 people, mostly Muslims, while he was the chief minister of the state. Mr. Modi has denied any wrongdoing.

During his recentelection campaign in the eastern state of West Bengal, Mr. Modi spoke about taking a harder line against Bangladesh and expelling what he called “illegal immigrants.” Many Bangladeshi families migrated to India during and after the partition of India in 1947 and maintain a presence on both sides of the border. Modi said at Serampore in West Bengal, which shares a porous border with Bangladesh: “You can write it down. After May 16, these Bangladeshis better be prepared with their bags packed.”

Despite the above rhetoric, one would have thought that Mr Modi, presently PM of a country and not a minsiter of a mere state, would have tried to leave behind the past and work towards building upon the concept of cooperation with a neighbouring country  to alleviate this distrust by atleast ensuring that nothing untoward would be happening at the moment. 

Sadly, that does not seem to be the case. In what seems to an unchanged chain of one sided violations, a Bangladeshi young man was beaten to death by Indian Border Security Force (BSF) troops on Putkhali border in Sharsha upazila early Monday.

The deceased was identified as Sirajul Islam, 25, a cattle trader and son of Akbar Ali, a resident of Jhikargachha upazila headquarters.

Lieutenant Colonel Mostafizur Rahman, commanding officer of BGB 23 Battalion, said Sirajul was brutally beaten by the BSF members of Angrail camp, leaving him severely injured at around 4:00am, when he was returning with cattle from the Indian side with other cattle traders.

Sirajul was rescued by the cattle traders who were taking him home along the Putkhali border where he succumbed to his injuries in the morning.

On information, police recovered the body, said Apurba Hasan, officer-in-charge of Benapole Port Police Station.

Another life extinguished, and there is an absolute one hundred percent assurance that justice will not be served, that this is just another life snubbed in a long line of many more.