SECOND EDITION

DHA K A T HURS DAY DECEMBER 5, 2024

Regd. No. DA 781 Vol. XXXIV No. 314 Agrahayan 20, 1431 BS Jamadius Sani 2, 1446 Hijri 16 Pages Plus Campus: Tk 15.00

Let’s unite to
protect nation’s
sovereignty
Political parties reach consensus in
meeting with chief adviser
MD ABBAS and SAJJAD HOSSAIN

Leaders of political parties yesterday agreed to unite and set all

their differences aside when the country’s sovereignty, existence,
independence, and dignity are threatened.
They also proposed forming a national political council to combat any
sort of misinformation, said Prof Asif Nazrul, law adviser to the interim
Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and leaders of several political parties pose for a group photo after a meeting at the Foreign Service Academy in the
government, after a meeting between the parties and the chief adviser at capital yesterday. PHOTO: PID
the Foreign Service Academy around 4:30pm.

Proposal made for forming a national political council

Dhaka, Delhi OF CRONIES AND CRIMES
Parties ask govt to set up a public relations cell likely to hold Zahir: A lawyer who
BNP seeks roadmap for elections secretary-level
Jamaat asks govt to start talks with India on propaganda
talks on Dec 9 terrorised Moulvibazar
“This nation is not dead, nor has it Says Touhid; Indian foreign MINTU DESHWARA fortune. He gradually became a
weakened. We are a powerful nation, secy may fly in the same day Md Abu Zahir, a former Awami
lawmaker on an Awami League
ready to fight. They believe we have ticket, and his wealth boomed.
UNB, Dhaka League lawmaker, gained notoriety
lost our vigour, but I have not. Our Zahir began his political career
spirit remains as vigorous as ever. We for orchestrating an extensive with Chhatra Union and soon
Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain network of land grabbing and
had heard the police say, ‘Sir, if one joined Bangladesh Chhatra League
yesterday said Bangladesh wants good extortion throughout Moulvibazar.
falls, four rise’. We now know that to become the president of the
relations with India and hinted that the His reign of terror in the district
not just four, but forty will stand up.” latter’s Habiganj district unit.
Foreign Office Consultations between was so intense that any news that Following the Awami League’s
Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus the two countries might take place on could displease him was nearly return to power in 1996, he became
December 9, a day ahead of schedule. impossible to publish in local and the organising secretary of the
“It is very clear that we want good national media. party’s Habiganj district unit.
At the meeting, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus urged all relations, but it should be reciprocal. Zahir, originally an income Injuries Zahir suffered in a
political forces in the country to unite and fight the falsehood. We need to work to that end,” he told tax lawyer, spent one and a half grenade attack that killed former
He thanked the parties that responded to his call and said, “Through reporters while responding to a question decades muffling the media finance minister Shah AMS Kibria
the uprising of students and the masses, we managed to lift the crushing at the foreign ministry. by harassing journalists with in 2005 marked the beginning of
stone off our chest… Asked about the FOC, the adviser lawsuits and suppressing dissent income before he became an MP. At another chapter in his political
“This nation is not dead, nor has it weakened. We are a powerful nation, said it may take place one day before the through intimidation to establish times, he even struggled to pay rent, prominence. Three years after
ready to fight. They believe we have lost our vigour, but I have not. Our schedule, or it will be held on December 10 dominance. His deep involvement according to those close to him. surviving the attack, Zahir was
spirit remains as vigorous as ever. We had heard the police say, ‘Sir, if one in Dhaka. in Awami League politics diverted However, Zahir’s unwavering elected as an MP for the Habiganj-3
falls, four rise’. We now know that not just four, but forty will stand up. Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri his attention from his professional loyalty to the party leadership
SEE PAGE 2 COL 5 SEE PAGE 2 COL 2 career, significantly reducing his eventually brought him a substantial SEE PAGE 2 COL 2

INTERNET OUTAGE IN JULY

Unity among journos
played crucial role
in publishing news
Speakers tell discussion
STAFF CORRESPONDENT

Refrain from Local journalists faced immense risks during the

DNA test finally
controversial July uprising but displayed unity and resilience,
which led them to continue reporting despite the
cracks Harris
activities internet blackout imposed by the then-government,
speakers said at a discussion yesterday.
Chy mystery
Tarique urges party Despite the Awami League-led government’s STAFF CORRESPONDENT
efforts to control the media or halt their work,
leaders, activists non-partisan journalists explored every possible A DNA test report
UNB, Dhaka way to publish and broadcast news, journalists submitted to the High
said at the discussion, “Blackout Chronicles: How Court has revealed that the
BNP acting chairman Journalists and Activists Navigated the Blackout”, body buried in a madrasa
Tarique Rahman yesterday organised by The Daily Star. graveyard in Dhaka’s
asked his party leaders The event, part of the weeklong programme Savar under the name of
and activists to stay away “36 Days of July: Saluting the Bravehearts,” was Mahmudur Rahman is that
from any negative or held at the Daily Star Centre in the capital.
of BNP leader Abul Harris
controversial activities Speaking at the event, Tanvir Chowdhury,
Chowdhury.
that could damage public correspondent for Al Jazeera English, said the
His DNA matches that
confidence, as the next internet blackout made it challenging for most
journalists to report from the ground and send of his daughter Samira
general election would be a Tanzeen Chowdhury,
stories to their offices.
“very tough” challenge for according to the report
“Being part of an international media outlet
the party. with better equipment, we were able to send submitted by the Criminal
“Let’s vow to avoid reports even during the blackout. But for local Investigation Department.
doing anything that would journalists, it wasn’t that easy -- they faced Following a court order,
harm public confidence significant risks. Harris’ body was exhumed
[in BNP],” he told the party “The unity among journalists played a crucial on October 16 this year, and
leaders and activists at a role during the clashes and the blackout. Local the DNA test was conducted
workshop in Chattogram. journalists routinely shared warnings about at the laboratory of CID,
SEE PAGE 7 COL 5 SEE PAGE 2 COL 2 SEE PAGE 7 COL 5
 NEWS
DHAKA THURSDAY DECEMBER 5, 2024

2 AGRAHAYAN 20, 1431 BS City

Unity among journos played crucial role 1.5 lakh tonnes

FROM PAGE 1 Shamima Sultana, senior reporter agencies. Despite these challenges, we “We tried to cover every angle -- from of rice will be
potential dangers, which showed a at Channel 24, recounted how found any and every alternative way to students side to pro-government forces
collective resilience and helped us
navigate the situation.”
journalists adapted to the blackout. get the news out.” to law enforcers side -- but almost imported from
“We returned to old-school reporting Asked during the question-answer everyone barred us from filming and
Qadaruddin Shishir, Fact Check
editor at AFP, explained the difficulties
-- calling protesters for comments and session about the trauma faced by there were fears of being attacked. The
risks were extremely high.
Myanmar, India
in verifying information during the “As the digital media team was STAFF CORRESPONDENT
PHOTO EXHIBITION unrest and blackout. reliant on the internet, the blackout
The government is set to import rice from
“It wasn’t easy to determine posed an existential crisis for us. Yet,
DECEMBER 1–7, 2024 the exact death toll. We contacted Myanmar and India as part of its efforts
we persisted -- we continued filming
Time: 10:00 AM–8:00 PM hospitals, on-duty doctors, and and editing videos daily, we archived to bring down the high price of the staple,
Venue: The Daily Star Centre authorities, but after a few days, they them all and kept them ready for replenish stocks and ensure distribution
stopped sharing data.” publishing as soon as the internet was under social safety net schemes.
Shishir also accused the then- restored.” Under the plan, 1 lakh tonne of white
STORYTELLING WEEK government of attempting to He further said, “This movement rice will be imported from Myanmar at
Time: 3:00 PM–4:30 PM downplay casualties. “They couldn’t was also something new in many of $515 per tonne and 50,000 tonnes of
basmati boiled rice from India at $467.7
entirely suppress the numbers, as our reporters’ careers. So, we had to
we were able to present the real come up with new ideas and ways to per tonne.
MARGINALISED VOICES OF data through our own investigative cover such incidents.” The proposals were approved
processes.” yesterday by the cabinet committee on
JULY REVOLUTION Suravita Basak, country lead of
public purchase chaired by Salehuddin
He also described how AFP’s office feminist organisation Swayong,
Stories of struggle, sacrifice and became a hub for local journalists highlighted their campaign “All Eyes Ahmed, finance adviser to the interim
hope from workers during the blackout. on Bangladesh”, through which they government.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5 “We had alternative internet access, shared news and information about Politics would not come in the way
so reporters from other outlets came the July uprising on their social media of trade and commercial dealings with
to our office to use our facilities. We India, Ahmed told the media after the
WRITE TO PROTEST PHOTO: PRABIR DAS
platform.
meeting.
even designated computers for them While moderating the event,
Writers and poets on their to send or publish stories.” Journalists and activists attend the fourth session -- “The Blackout Naziba Basher, senior sub-editor at the “We will import from those who
experience Shishir further said there was Chronicles” – of The Daily Star’s storytelling week titled “36 Days of July: The Daily Star, answered a question give us items at competitive prices, in
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7 a surge of disinformation once Saluting the Bravehearts” at The Daily Star Centre in the capital yesterday. regarding what change is expected in a speedy manner and with due quality
the internet was restored. “The journalism after over 15 years of the -- it can be India or any other country.
government circulated videos and relying on text messages when calls journalists, she said, “I was brutally press being gagged. “The state must We are talking with India, Myanmar and
images claiming Jamaat-Shibir failed. beaten by a mob at Shahbagh the day take responsibility for protecting its even with Vietnam,” he added.
activists were attacking students, “As broadcasting was disrupted before Hasina fled. That incident still journalists. But if we want real change Earlier, the government had allowed
but in reality, they were old videos of due to internet blackout, we depended haunts me. The trauma is still fresh.” in journalism, journalists must lead the import of 1 lakh tonnes of boiled rice
attacks by pro-government groups. on cable connections, which were Saim Bin Mujib, multimedia the way and commit to non-partisan from India under open tender.
We debunked at least 50 such videos.” frequently cut by government journalist at The Daily Star, said, reporting. It’s a matter of conscience.” SEE PAGE 6 COL 4

Fundamental Zahir: A lawyer who terrorised Moulvibazar Let’s unite to protect

rights, religious seat in the 2008 election. He was re- Despite
FROM PAGE 1 being allocated over a decade filing digital security cases against
ago, these two industrial plots have them, including me,” Shoeb said. nation’s sovereignty
freedom need became the president of the district which indicates Zahir might have journalism landscape in Habiganj “Our blood has not dried. The national
elected in 2014, 2018 and 2024, and remained undeveloped and vacant, Zahir effectively controlled the
unity at all costs and stand
FROM PAGE 1
united against such misinformation
to be respected Awami League in 2013. planned to sell the land at higher by instilling fear with these cases, writings on the walls, which you see and attacks in the future,” said Prof
According to the affidavit he prices. Bangladesh Small and Cottage resulting in jail time for several every day while coming and going,
submitted before the 2008 polls,
Nazrul.
Industries Corporation (BSCIC), the journalists and attacks on their have not been erased; they are still The party leaders also proposed
US state dept says his family’s total assets amounted managing authority, however, took offices and homes. raw and burning. That fire still burns holding a grand rally or national
to around Tk 83.4 lakh, including no action to cancel the allotments. within our hearts as well.”
about Bangladesh about Tk 73.7 lakh in properties BSCIC Chairman Ashraf Uddin
As a life member of the Habiganj
Prof Yunus said, “It seems our
political council with participation
Press Club, Zahir also had a group from all parties to demonstrate
STAR REPORT owned by him and Tk 9.7 lakh by Ahmed Khan, who has recently taken of journalists loyal to him. Zahir freedom and independence are not the country’s unity against the
his wife Aleya Akhter. Their son Ifat charge, said they would investigate and one of his aides filed two cases sitting well with some people. Various propaganda campaign.
The US has stressed the need for Jamil had no property at that time. the issue and take necessary steps. against Daily Amar Habiganj Editor efforts are being made to stall our Speaking to reporters afterwards,
respect for religious and other After 15 years, Zahir owns a six-storey Outside the BSCIC Industrial Sushanta Dasgupta and three other progress. Since August 5, you’ve BNP Standing Committee member
fundamental freedoms, and basic house, multiple luxury cars, and over Estate, Zahir influences areas with journalists of the local newspaper. witnessed how it has been unfolding. Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said,
human rights in Bangladesh amid 600 bhori of gold. The family’s total over 50 factories in Shayestaganj “Now, they are trying again, in new “We have spoken to the interim
The next morning, Sushanta was
alleged attacks on minorities. assets have increased to more than Tk and Madhabpur. Officials of these ways. The situation we are currently government about the election. This
arrested from the newspaper’s
“We are clear that there needs 6.6 crore, according to the affidavit factories, who wished to remain facing is why this meeting has been government is committed to restoring
office in Habiganj town and was called.”
to be the respect of fundamental submitted before the 2024 polls. anonymous, alleged they had to pay the rights of the people. Therefore, we
granted bail 23 days later. The Prof Yunus said, “The Bangladesh
His income and assets have grown Zahir large sums as “commission” have urged them to quickly implement
freedoms; there needs to be respect cases stemmed from allegations we are aiming to build is being
ninefold, while his wife’s income and for land transactions. Thousands of necessary reforms and present a
of religious freedom and basic made by Sayeduzzaman Zahir, overshadowed by a fabricated roadmap for the election.
human rights,” State Department assets have increased by 26.5 times, workers operate in these industrial general secretary of the press club, narrative. They are relentlessly “If the people get a roadmap and
totalling Tk 2.52 crore. Their son now zones without trade unions, relying that the newspaper had published
Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel outlining a different version of our focus on the election, the conspiracies
has assets worth Tk 2.5 crore. on Zahir for the settlement of various
said while answering questions “false” news accusing Abu Zahir of country.” we are witnessing now will no longer
The Anti-Corruption Commission issues, allowing him to extract further He said it was not limited to just
related to Bangladesh during a corruption and irregularities. be possible,” he added.
has recently launched an “commissions.” one country. It has spread to certain
regular press briefing on Tuesday. FAMILY LEAGUE Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur
investigation into allegations that In addition to the industrial plot major global powers.
Two British MPs recently urged Politicians opposing Zahir, Rahman said his party would work
Zahir amassed illegal wealth through controversy, Zahir faces allegations “Since our great uprising has
the UK government to engage including party members, faced with the government to counter the
the abuse of power. Early findings of grabbing residential land. Locals displeased some, they want to erase propaganda against the country.
with the Bangladesh government intimidation. District BNP Joint
have revealed significant financial alleged Zahir filled in a pond, which it … . We must unite to prove their “We will not fall into anyone’s trap.
about the alleged violence against Convener Advocate Nurul Islam
assets linked to him and his family, belonged to a Hindu family, next to falsehood and establish the truth. We will not bow to anyone, nor will we
minorities. A journalist drew Patel’s said the Awami League’s reign
according to sources. Advocate Trilok Town Hall Road and built a five-storey “We must tell the world that we cross any limits. I hope you will hear
attention to the issue and asked if of dictatorship was marked by
Kanti Chowdhury Bijan, president house there, which he later sold. are united… We have called you here good news within a couple of days.
the US would address this concern repression and physical intimidation
of Susasoner Jonno Nagorik (Sujan) Zahir allegedly took advantage of a to discuss how we can move forward “We despise extremism, no matter
through diplomatic and policy by leaders like Zahir. Even notable collectively. There is no room for
Habiganj unit, alleged that politicians dispute between three brothers over where it comes from.”
like Zahir developed an inflated sense figures within the Awami League missteps in this process.”
measurement. the ownership of a three-storey house Jamaat demanded the government
of invulnerability, leading them to have been sidelined due to their Amid demonstrations in the talk to India and present specific
“So we are consistent with every located on four decimals of land next
terrorise the people over the years. dissenting views. Several prominent capital and different districts over the proposals to stop the propaganda.
government in which we have a to his property. The brothers -- Farid
LAND GRABBING leaders, including former state attack on the Bangladesh Assistant Nasiruddin Patwary, convener of
relationship with … Any kind of Mia, Khwaja Mia, and Nizam Uddin
Zahir constructed an opulent six- minister Advocate Mahbub Ali and High Commission in Agartala, Prof the Jatiya Nagorik Committee, said,
protests should be and need to -- were migrants working in the
storey mansion estimated to be Middle East. They were forced to sell former woman MP Amatul Kibria Yunus on Tuesday began a series of “A resolution has been passed, which
be peaceful, and that any kind of Chowdhury Kaya, were excluded dialogues.
valued at several crores of taka. the property, reportedly worth Tk includes discussions on whether
crackdown – not even crackdown from the AL’s district committee He met leaders of student a symbolic show of unity can be
– that governments need to respect Allegations have surfaced that he 4 crore, for a fraction of its market
in its 2019 council for opposing organisations against discrimination demonstrated in Bangladesh.”
the rule of law, they need to respect encroached on both government value in March last year. Although
Zahir. However, some of those who on Tuesday evening and announced Nagorik Oikya President
and private properties, including a the full payment was agreed upon,
basic human rights as part of were excluded were subsequently that he would hold talks with major Mahmudur Rahman Manna said they
piece of land of the Habiganj High Zahir reportedly paid only Tk 1 crore, political parties yesterday and
that. And that’s something we’ll reinstated in the committee through also asked the government to review
School and College quarters. His wife leaving Tk 26 lakh unpaid. religious groups today.
continue to emphasize,” Patel said. central intervention. all agreements signed with India
reportedly owns a significant portion Another controversy involves Delegations of several political
Asked if the US would take steps While Zahir is the president and cancel those that go against the
of the land behind the educational a dispute over 300 acres of fallow parties, including the BNP and interests of Bangladesh.
regarding the arrest of former institution, which includes a pond land in Jalalabad Noagaon village of of the Awami League’s Habiganj
Jamaat-e-Islami, were present Junaid Saki, chief coordinator
ISKCON leader Chinmoy Krishna with an 18-decimal area. Sadar upazila. Zahir reportedly took district unit, his family members yesterday. The Awami League and the of Ganosamhati Andolon, said, “We
Das Brahmachari in Bangladesh, Locals said Zahir also purchased possession of 101 acres of the land in and relatives control the committees Jatiya Party were not invited. told the government that it must
Patel said he did not have the details 200 decimals of government land 2011, promising to resolve a conflict of the organisations affiliated with Industry Adviser Adilur Rahman fight misinformation with accurate
surrounding that case. worth Tk 100 crore in the court between two groups of villagers. He the party. His wife Aleya serves as Khan, in his welcome speech at the information.”
“But again, we continue to stress area for his family members. They then established a college named the general secretary of the district dialogue, told the party leaders that Ganatantra Mancha Coordinator
and emphasize that even those who also alleged Zahir unethically used after him and his wife on this land. Mohila League and was elected the meeting was called to seek their Saiful Huq said, “We asked the
are in detention need to be afforded government plans for land acquisition MUFFLING THE MEDIA chairman of the Zilla Parishad, while opinions on three issues: the ongoing government to give a clear message
appropriate representation and to make millions of taka. Many were To suppress unfavourable news, Zahir their son Jamil is a joint general propaganda against Bangladesh in that if India seeks to destabilise
need to be treated with basic forced to sell their land to Zahir, who harassed journalists with legal cases secretary of Bangladesh Chhatra India and other parts of the world, the Bangladesh and jeopardise its security,
fundamental freedoms and human then sold it to the government for under controversial sections of the League’s Habiganj district unit attack on the Bangladesh Assistant India’s security will also be at risk.”
establishing Balla land port at four Information and Communication despite living abroad for several High Commission in Agartala, and Maulana Abdur Rab Yousufi, vice-
rights,” he added.
times the market price. Technology Act. In 2016, senior years. the recent false allegations of attacks president of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam
US Congressman Brad Sherman on minorities.
In 2012, Zahir was allocated journalist Shoeb Chowdhury faced Zahir’s nephew Ataur Rahman Bangladesh, urged the government
on Tuesday also urged the interim After the meeting, Law Adviser Prof to temporarily halt travel between
government of Bangladesh to two plots, 31 decimals each, in the four cases under the ICT Act for a is a former mayor of Habiganj
Municipality. His other nephews Nazrul told reporters that consensus Bangladesh and India.
“demonstrate leadership” in BSCIC Industrial Estate of Habiganj, story suggesting that Zahir might
was established regarding anti- Ashraf Ali Akon, presidium member
registered in his son, daughter, and not get the AL ticket in the 2018 polls. Faizur Rahman and Saidur Rahman
stopping alleged violence against Bangladesh activities in India, the of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, called
younger brother’s names. One of these Shoeb was jailed for 84 days in 2017. are the general secretary and attack on the Bangladesh Assistant
minorities. for action against individuals working
plots is listed under the name of Mukti “For the past 15 years, the people former president of the district BCL, High Commission in Agartala, and
“Bangladesh’s interim against the country’s interests.
Textile, with Zakaria Chowdhury of Habiganj have been in a state of respectively. Zahir’s brother Badrul India’s interference into Bangladesh’s
government has an absolute He proposed confronting India
and Zahir’s daughter Arifa Akter terror. Abu Zahir has imprisoned Alam serves as the joint general internal affairs. in the same way countries like the
obligation to protect its Hindu Mukti serving as managing partners. and harassed many journalists by secretary of the district Jubo League. He said the parties advised the Maldives, Nepal, Afghanistan, and
minority and meaningfully address
government to accelerate its efforts Pakistan did.
the protests of thousands of
minority Hindus in outcry over
the recent wave of attacks and
Dhaka, Delhi likely to hold secretary-level to counter the misinformation
campaigns. If necessary,
government can seek the support of
the
Fakhrul Islam, secretary general of
Bangladesh Khilafat Andolan, said,
“To protect Bangladesh’s image, all
harassment,” Sherman said in a FROM PAGE 1 the potential extradition of former during the July-August uprising. expatriates, friendly countries, and ambassadors around the world should
statement. is likely to be in Dhaka on December 9 prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who is While the government intends to bring foreign media and journalists to be informed, and steps should be
“With the calls for an or 10 accordingly as both Bangladesh currently in India, and visa issues. bring her back, Hasan emphasised Bangladesh. taken in consultation with them.”
investigation from the Bangladesh and India are preparing for the At the foreign ministry’s weekly that the foreign ministry has not The parties also recommended Jahangir Hossain, joint secretary
Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity foreign secretary-level meeting. briefing on November 21, Director yet received any formal directive to improving the government’s general of Khelafat Majlish, said they
Council and the United Nations Once finalised, this is going to General of the Public Diplomacy initiate the extradition process. communication and legal capabilities had expressed their commitment to
be the first visit to be paid by a Wing Toufique Hasan confirmed “We will engage with Delhi and establishing a public relations cell. work with the government.
High Commissioner for Human
senior Indian government official that an inter-ministerial meeting and begin the formal process Several parties proposed forming Leaders of Jatiya Samajtantrik
Rights Volker Türk for killings a minority commission to investigate
to Bangladesh since the interim has already taken place to coordinate in accordance with the existing Dal, Bangladesh Jatiya Samajtantrik
and other rights violations during alleged attacks on minorities and Dal, Gonotrantrik Bam Oikya,
government, led by Prof Muhammad preparations for the upcoming talks. extradition treaty once we receive the
the violent unrest leading up to Yunus, came to power on August 8, a “There is a scope for discussion on necessary instructions,” he clarified uncover the truth, Prof Nazrul added. Communist Party of Bangladesh,
and after the fall of Bangladesh’s diplomatic source told UNB. the matter [extradition of Hasina],” in response to queries. The leaders strongly condemned Amar Bangladesh, Jatiyatabadi
former Prime Minister Sheikh However, there has been no official Hasan said. Regarding the review of existing India’s economic and cultural Samamana Jote, 12-party alliance,
Hasina, the current administration announcement yet regarding his visit Hasina, who fled Dhaka on August agreements and memorandums aggression, its attempts to dominate Gantantra Manch, National
must demonstrate leadership to hold the FOC with Bangladesh 5 and has been residing in India since of understanding between the two Bangladesh, and its interference in Democratic Movement, Bangladesh
in eliminating acts of violence Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin. then, is facing trial at Bangladesh’s countries, Hasan said these fall under Bangladesh’s internal matters. Khelafat Andolan, Khelafat Majlish,
against the Hindu community,” he The discussion is likely to cover a International Crimes Tribunal for her the jurisdiction of various ministries “There is no room to see Bangladesh and Jatiya Nagorik Committee
as a weak country ... We vow to uphold attended the meeting among others.
added. range of bilateral issues, including alleged involvement in mass killings in Bangladesh.
 2nd Edition

DHAKA 3
DHAKA THURSDAY DECEMBER 5, 2024
AGRAHAYAN 20, 1431 BS

16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM
Global problem-
Sexual abuse is solving must rely
part of life for on cooperation
Says Prof Yunus
street children
TAHIRA SHAMSI UTSA any shelter in Dhaka. I live and
UNB, Dhaka

sleep in the streets with other girls Highlighting the importance

Dhaka’s bustling streets are both a and boys,” she added. of “multilateral efforts” to
workplace and a home for 14-year- Sharing the problems she faces overcome global challenges,
old Amina. on the streets, Amina said, “I have Chief Adviser Prof
She navigates the bustling only two frocks. When I change Muhammad Yunus yesterday
streets selling flowers by day and my clothes behind a tree or a bush, said global problem-solving
sleeping on the footpath at night male pedestrians stare at me. That must rely on cooperation, not conflicts.
-- her undernourished frame scares me.” Addressing a graduation ceremony, “National
becoming just one among the Defence Course-2024,” Dr Yunus said they need
countless other children who call to be together more than ever before, as global
Bangladesh’s streets their home. Whether it’s on the Speakers at a discussion, titled “Transforming Bangladesh Public Administration: Overcoming challenges do not belong to anyone or any nation
According to a Unicef study, road, in a park, or in a Challenges and Shaping Reforms”, jointly organised by UNDP and The Daily Star at The Daily alone.
titled “Children Living in Streets crowded place, most Star Centre in Dhaka yesterday. PHOTO: PALASH KHAN SEE PAGE 4 COL 5
Situations in Bangladesh 2024”, girls and boys living on
over 3.4 million children find the streets face sexual
themselves in street situations in
Bangladesh without parental care.
Sexual molestation has been
harassment. They
don’t understand the Qualitative political change ‘Respect our
highlighted as one of the physical
and social environment risk factors
for street children.
abuse when they are
young, but they realise
it when they grow up.
key to administrative reforms sovereignty’
Amina is no stranger to that
potential danger, especially WAHIDA BANU Discussants tell roundtable Fakhrul calls upon India
Executive director STAFF CORRESPONDENT
without the safety of a family. Two Aparajeyo Bangladesh STAFF CORRESPONDENT at a discussion, titled
years ago, she lost her mother at Corruption persists “Transforming Bangladesh
a young age. Then she came to Without bringing qualitative due to the lack Public Administration: BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam
Dhaka, escaping her abusive father “Sometimes men touch my changes in politics, it is not of democratic Overcoming Challenges and Alamgir yesterday called upon India to respect
and stepmother in Munshiganj. hands and shoulders when I sell possible to achieve desired accountability. Shaping Reforms,” jointly Bangladesh’s sovereignty and democracy.
“My father used to beat me for them flowers. Sometimes, they reforms in administration, Corrupt individuals organised by UNDP and The He also urged India not to align with any specific
being a girl child. He remarried, even offer to take me elsewhere. said speakers at a roundtable are often promoted Daily Star at The Daily Star political party, particularly Awami League, in a way
and my stepmother and her family But I do not go near them after yesterday. Centre yesterday. that could undermine the democratic aspirations
while honest officers
members tortured me as well. They they say such things,” she said. “Civil servants are like The discussion emphasised of the Bangladeshi people.
are sidelined. “Bangladesh is a nation that fought for its
did not give me food when I was Amina’s greatest fear, however, horses, and politicians are the the urgent need for reforms to
hungry. They used to make me is nighttime when she has to sleep riders steering them,” they KHANDAKER align Bangladesh’s governance independence through immense sacrifices,”
do all the household chores all by said. AMINUR RAHMAN with people’s aspirations. Fakhrul said during a rally in London at 2:00am
in a park. “Night is a horrible time Former additional secretary
myself,” she shared. “I don’t have SEE PAGE 4 COL 3 They made the remarks SEE PAGE 4 COL 6 SEE PAGE 4 COL 8

Application Prioritise public interest,

fee for govt
jobs capped liveability in DAP
at Tk 200 Speakers tell event
STAFF CORRESPONDENT STAFF CORRESPONDENT While presenting the keynote
paper, IPD Director Adil Mohammed
The government has The amendments in the recently Khan said, “The culture of prioritising
capped the application fee published Detailed Area Plan of business profits over the liveability
for all government jobs, Rajuk do not prioritise the city’s issues faced by Dhaka does not reflect
including the BCS exam, at liveability, capacity, civic amenities, and the post-July uprising sentiment. If this
a maximum of Tk 200. environment, said speakers at a virtual trend continues, Dhaka, which is slowly
This decision was made programme yesterday. becoming uninhabitable due to traffic
during a meeting of the Instead, the interests of real estate congestion and pollution, will become
Secretary Committee developers and housing traders have been more stagnant.”
on Administrative given an importance there, they said. To overcome this, DAP needs to be
Development. They also said the role of some refined by prioritising public interest,
Md Mokhles Ur Rahman, officials of Rajuk and Ministry of liveability, and the environment by
senior secretary of Ministry Housing and Public Works in the DAP using planned sustainable strategies
of Public Administration, amendment process is questionable. and approaches, he added.
shared the decision with They were speaking at an online “In the amended DAP, nothing was
journalists yesterday after event, titled “Repeated revisions of considered except the proposal to
the meeting held at the Dhaka’s DAP: Observations of IPD,” increase the size and height of buildings
Secretariat. organised by the Institute for Planning in Rajuk areas. Protection of flood flow
Currently, various and Development (IPD). zones, wetlands, and agricultural land
government jobs require The government, on August 23, has been neglected,” he said.
different amounts of fees. published the gazette notification for “We were saying that realtors and
Candidates have to pay a the 20-year (2016-2035) DAP, which some professionals were requesting
fee of Tk 700 to apply for covers 1,528 square km of Rajdhani cancellation or postponement of the
the BCS exam. Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk). SEE PAGE 4 COL 8
 2nd Edition

NEWS
DHAKA THURSDAY DECEMBER 5, 2024

4 AGRAHAYAN 20, 1431 BS

Brokers rampant Sexual abuse is part of life Qualitative political Prioritise

FROM PAGE 3
FROM PAGE 5 to law enforcement and the FROM PAGE 3 on sexual violence. face sexual harassment. FROM PAGE 3 effectively without robust amendment to the DAP
clinic, claiming the regional administration for me. I always have to The survey findings They don’t understand the Presenting the keynote, leadership.” only to raise the Floor Area
hospital lacked facilities. to curb the brokers’ be cautious worrying are based on first-hand abuse when they are young, Prof Kazi Maruful Islam Asif Mahmud Shahan, Ratio (FAR) standards in
I was charged Tk 100 for activities,’’ he added. what if someone does reports from a sample of but they realise it when they of Dhaka University said professor of Development building construction. Our
consultation, but the Dr Sheikh Baharul Alam, anything bad to me as the 7,200 children aged 5-17 grow up.” although Bangladesh Studies at Dhaka suspicions were proven to
doctor there prescribed president of Bangladesh [Suhrawardy] Udyan is years in hotspots in Dhaka Wahida said the issue of gained independence University, traced the be true,” he added.
unnecessary tests costing Medical Association in filled with bad people.” and in the country’s eight sexual harassment of street through the Liberation roots of authoritarian The standards required
Tk 4,300. Later, my son Khulna, alleged that a The fear of sexual divisions. children is not prioritised in War, its administrative tendencies in Bangladesh’s to build a liveable city
intervened and rescued section of medical staff harassment or assault also Prof Tahmina Akhter of our society. Adolescent girls structure was never administration back to have not been followed
me.” and influential clinic and haunts parents who live with Institute of Social Welfare growing up on the streets do aligned with the 1972. when determining FAR
Nasima alleged that the diagnostic owners appoint their adolescent daughters and Research noted that not understand prostitution. aspirations of a free He said while and block-wise FAR
brokers look to collect their brokers to draw patients out in the open. Kushum, 13, there is an absence of study They get involved in sexual nation. the country gained values as proposed in the
cuts from those tests. to their clinics and private lives with her mother in the on sexual abuse of street activities, accepting it as a He said over 20 independence, it DAP amendment, Khan
She also alleged that hospitals, ignoring the law. street. Her mother begs, and children in our country. norm, she said. administrative reform failed to create its own continued.
some Ansar personnel and “When problems arise she sells lozenges in a small Based on her research, Sometimes, street commissions have administrative framework. As a result, the proposed
outsourcing staff of KMCH due to shortages of doctors red bucket. been established since
she said female street children get molested in “From 1975 to 1990, amendments to the DAP
are also involved in this and equipment, patients’ Kushum’s mother independence, but their
children are often sexually exchange for money as low the state was governed may further jeopardise the
racket. families often blame the said, “Roaming around recommendations remain
harassed at a young age by as Tk 5/10, she added. under authoritarian rule, liveability of the capital, he
Like Nasima, hundreds doctors, and these brokers Ramna Park and Udyan, largely unimplemented.
law enforcement officers, Wahida noted that during which laws and said.
of patients face similar seize the opportunity to we encounter many men This resulted in a lack
hassles every day. rickshaw pullers, or bus and although the Children regulations were crafted Prof Aktar Mahmud
lure them to nearby clinics taking drugs. These people truck drivers. “Especially Act 2013 talks about of accountability and to empower civil servants. of IPD said, “A liveable
According to KMCH and private chambers,’’ he try to be nice to us, which fostered authoritarian
authorities and law those who sleep on the underprivileged children, These frameworks were city does not only have
added. terrifies me more.” tendencies within the
enforcers, over 25 groups streets face more sexual there is no legal framework never reformed post-1991, housing. It needs a good
Advocate Mominul “I always tell my daughter administration, he added.
and another 20-25 harassment,” she said. through which they can despite opportunities,” he environment, education,
Islam, president of Khulna not to take anything from “The current socio-
individual brokers operate “Sometimes these access justice. Although explained. healthcare, public
Healthcare Recipients’ men and eat anything political landscape is
in the hospital. children face sexual there are many government Elira Dewan, member of transport, etc. But our
Forum, called for they offer. At night, I wake different. The mass
In 2022-23, some 37 ensuring accountability violence from their relatives facilities, such as shelter Local Government Reform business community is only
brokers were detained from up frequently to check at home because of lack of homes and services like the uprising for an equitable Commission, highlighted interested in increasing FAR.
and transparency to on my daughter as the Bangladesh offers a vision
KMCH premises, and 12 of improve the quality of parental care,” she said. 1098 hotline number, street the marginalisation of No research has even been
them were sent to jail while surroundings are not safe, Living without parental children do not know about for change. If proper steps indigenous communities in carried out on whether the
KMCH’s service to restore
the rest were released after and my daughter is now an guidance, sometimes these them, nor can they avail are taken, it’s possible to government employment. area will remain habitable
public confidence, which
paying fines. adolescent,” she added. children, after reaching those services, she added. establish a new framework She criticised the in the future if the FAR is
will in turn curb the
The situation, however, Kushum said, “People puberty, also began to “Our laws are not pro- for administrative reduction of quotas for increased.”
brokers’ menace.Seeking
hardly improved. sitting inside the parks explore their sexuality early, children,” she said. “To reform,” he said. indigenous groups from “Many in Rajuk’s
anonymity, a broker, who
KMCH currently works for a local clinic, said, sometimes offer money to go getting involved in unsafe bring street children under Khandaker Aminur five percent to one percent, policy-making circles are
has 281 doctors against “Many patients come from with them. I run away from sexual activities amongst legal help for violence Rahman, former which is shared with other succumbing to the unfair
300 sanctioned doctor far away who want to get there as fast as possible.” themselves, Tahmina said, perpetrated against them, additional secretary categories, including demands of vested interest
posts. Also, many critical done with everything and This correspondent adding that miscreants lure they require guardianship. and member of Public persons with disabilities. groups as they fail to
operations are delayed or leave as soon as possible. talked to 15 street children, children by promising to Otherwise, these children, Administration Reform Kamrul Islam Khan realise the importance of
suspended due to a lack of Amid a huge crowd, we mostly adolescent girls marry them and then sell who are completely alone, Commission, pointed Hridoy, a visually impaired urban planning. Decisions
anaesthesiologists. provide them the chance to who live in the same fear of them to brothels. will not get any justice.” out that corruption business development should be made in the
Dr Muhammad Nurul see a doctor. In return, we getting sexually harassed. Tahmina said these street remains one of the biggest professional, criticised the public interest to increase
Islam, deputy director get some commission from Street children in children don’t tell anyone challenges in public equalisation of the age the liveability of Dhaka
of KMCH, said the 500- Bangladesh face a harsh or take legal action even if administration. limit for government job
bed hospital currently
the clinic.”
She denied allegations reality of deprivation, they are subjected to any Global problem He emphasised that applicants at 32 years for
without thinking about
these groups,” he opined.
accommodates 1,500 to of deceiving and extorting poverty, malnutrition, sexual abuse. Sometimes, FROM PAGE 3 most corruption occurs both disabled and general
1,750 inpatients daily, while patients. disease, illiteracy, and they do not even realise that Prof Yunus lauded the in project management candidates.
around 2,000 patients visit
the OPD daily.
violence. Unicef’s 2022
survey reveals that many
they have been subjected to
sexual violence.
members of the Bangladesh
Armed Forces, noting
rather than among civil
servants.
Dr Mizanur Rahman,
additional secretary of
Respect our
“We are struggling to sleep alone or in groups that their commitment to He stated, “Corruption FROM PAGE 3
Wahida Banu, executive public administration
provide proper services
amid a shortage of doctors
PRAYER for safety, and one-third
experience violence
director of Aparajeyo safeguarding the nation
has been exemplary.
persists due to the
lack of democratic
ministry, asserted that (Bangladesh
yesterday.
Time)
Bangladesh, an NGO political will is the
and necessary equipment. TIMING during sleep. Shockingly, working with children, He said the Bangladesh accountability. In many foremost requirement for Fakhrul criticised the
So, middlemen take this DECEMBER 5 passersby are responsible youth, and women living in Armed Forces symbolise cases, corrupt individuals administrative reform. recent incidents involving
chance,’’ he added. for most of the abuse and around Dhaka slums resilience, patriotism, and are promoted while honest Comparing Bangladesh Bangladesh’s diplomatic
Fazr Zohr Asr Maghrib Esha
“However, we often and harassment of street since 1976, had a similar unwavering dedication to officers are sidelined. This to India, he said, missions in India and raised
AZAN 5-15 12-45 3-45 5-19 7-00 concerns about border
conduct drives against children in Bangladesh, view. peace. He highlighted their culture must be changed “India took immediate
them, while some formal JAMAAT 5-50 1-15 4-00 5-22 7-30 activities near Sylhet and
with eight out of 10 She said, “Whether it’s efforts during national by prioritising integrity steps to reform their
complaints have been made SOURCE: ISLAMIC FOUNDATION children reporting such on the road, in a park, or in crises like disasters, political and competence in administrative structure Benapole.
incidents. However, there a crowded place, most girls unrest, and pandemics. promotions.” after independence. “We are deeply hurt
were no separate statistics and boys living on the streets “These demonstrate your Dr Rizwan Khair, Unfortunately, we failed to when baseless accusations
unwavering dedication another member of the learn from them.” and lies put the people of
to the well-being of our reform commission, said The roundtable also Bangladesh in danger,” he
citizens,” said the chief reforming administration included participants said, questioning India’s
adviser, congratulating the is a long-term and difficult such as Prof Ferdous intentions behind these
NDC graduates from home task. Arfina Osman of DU, activities.
and abroad. He said, “We BCS Administration “We always hope India
Prof Yunus also said have missed many Academy Rector Dr will stand by the people
their contributions to opportunities for reform Omar Faruq, ICT Division of Bangladesh and rectify
global peace through since independence. Now Additional Secretary past mistakes to rebuild
the United Nations are is a turning point, and Abu Sayeed Mohammed trust,” Fakhrul added.
internationally acclaimed. we cannot afford to miss Kamruzzaman, BRAC The BNP leader
He acknowledged the this chance. Governance University Senior Academic emphasised the need for
Bangladesh Armed Forces’ requires people with Coordinator Mohammad unity among political forces
contributions to national strong backbones, not Sirajul Islam, and DU to safeguard Bangladesh’s
security, development, and yes-men. Bureaucracies student Maisha Farah, independence and
nation-building activities. cannot function among others. sovereignty.
 2nd Edition

CITY 5
DHAKA THURSDAY DECEMBER 5, 2024
AGRAHAYAN 20, 1431 BS

Two decades on, Need to bring

Barishal yet to get back people’s
modern waste plant confidence: EC
STAFF CORRESPONDENT
SUSHANTA GHOSH, Barishal
People’s lack of confidence in the electoral system
The Barishal City Corporation, established in 2002, has is a major concern for free and fair elections, said
yet to develop a modern waste management system for Election Commissioner Brig Gen (retd) Abul Fazal
the tonnes of garbage generated in the city even after two Md Sanaullah yesterday.
decades of establishment. “We need to bring back people’s confidence
Although BCC had proposed a project for setting up in the electoral system,” he said, while talking to
a modern waste management plant with incineration reporters following a meeting with the Electoral
facilities, it later got cancelled in the face of opposition Reform Commission at the EC Building.
from local residents. Restoring people’s confidence in elections will
As a result, the city relies on the six-acre Kawnia require a holistic approach, said Abul Fazal.
Puranpara dumping station, where sanitation workers He said no specific timeline has been set for the
dump garbage daily using traditional landfill methods. next general election. “Our focus is on ensuring a
However, this site, acquired in 2004, is now free and fair election in the future,” he added.
overwhelmed with waste and can barely accommodate Electoral Reform Commission Chief Badiul
more. Alam Majumder told reporters they discussed
Garbage often spills over near the dumping ground, ensuring punishment for electoral crimes
causing problems for residents and polluting the committed by the previous election commissions.
nearby Sapania canal, which eventually connects to the Responding to a question about whether the
Kirtankhola river. last three commissions would be brought to
Waste is also frequently left on roadsides and near justice, he said, “All those who have committed
dustbins in the city’s 30 wards for days before being Students purchasing books from a stall on the opening day of the annual eight-day Divisional Book Fair, crimes need to be brought under justice.”
removed by BCC workers. organised by the government, at Bell’s Park in Barishal city yesterday. PHOTO: TITU DAS Badiul said the new commission did not place
According to BCC sources, about 100 tonnes of waste any kind of recommendation to the electoral reform
are generated daily in the city with a 58 sq km area commission as of yet. If they have anything to share,
and around six lakh residents. On Eid days and special
occasions, the volume goes up considerably.
More than 900 permanent and Brokers rampant at KMCH they can share it with the reform commission.

temporary staff are engaged

in BCC’s waste management
activities, while 18 trucks and
DIPANKAR ROY, Khulna Several brokers approached operate openly within the hospital SP Babul Akter’s
premises, scamming patients and
220 box vans are being used
for garbage transportation.
While entering the Khulna Medical
College Hospital, some middle-
me and convinced me
to visit a nearby clinic,
claiming the hospital lacked
their families.
They mainly work contractually
bail upheld
Masudur Rahman, an aged women are found stationed for at least three dozen private STAFF CORRESPONDENT
environmental activist, near the main gate and outside of facilities. I was charged
clinics, hospitals, and diagnostic
said the open dumping at the outpatient department. Tk 100 for consultation, centres located near KMCH. The Supreme Court chamber judge yesterday
Puranpara has made the They are not employed by the but the doctor there They approach the patients, upheld a High Court order that granted ad-
area uninhabitable, forcing hospital, but whenever they see prescribed unnecessary saying KMCH runs amid a shortage interim bail to former superintendent of police
many residents to relocate. a patient who has come to seek tests costing Tk 4,300. of doctors and necessary facilities, Babul Akter in a case filed over the murder of his
Rafiqul Alam, divisional treatment in the hospital, they rush and they would better follow wife Mahmuda Khanam Mitu in 2016.
coordinator (Barishal) of Bangladesh towards them. NASIMA AKHTER, a patient them and seek better treatment Justice Md Rezaul Haque, chamber judge of
Poribesh Andolon, said garbage, including hazardous and Then, with promises of providing elsewhere. the SC Appellate Division, passed the order on a
medical waste, is dumped in open dustbins at over 150 access to quality doctors at low manage to evade their grip. Nasima Akhter, a patient petition filed by Mosharraf Hossain, the victim’s
spots, posing health risks and worsening environmental fees, they try to lure them away As such, the KMCH has become from Joykhali village, recounted father, who sought a stay on the HC bail order.
pollution. to different private clinics that increasingly invested with brokers, her experience, “Several brokers Babul’s lawyer Mohammad Shishir Manir told
The Puranpara landfill no longer can accommodate have mushroomed in the vicinity causing severe difficulties for approached me at the KMCH reporters that there is no legal bar to his client’s
more waste. It has become urgent for BCC to find an of KMCH, and extort money patients, particularly those from entrance on November 21 and release from jail following the SC order.
alternative and move for a modern waste management from them. With their relentless rural areas. convinced me to visit a nearby On November 27, the HC granted ad-interim
system, he added. approaches, patients hardly These brokers, mostly women, SEE PAGE 4 COL 1 bail to Babul Akter.
“It is viable to build a clean city by initiating a modern
waste management plant that can produce fertiliser
from bio-degradable wastes and also generate electricity
by incinerating other wastes. However, the officials
concerned seen to be reluctant to this end,” he also said.
Lincoln Bain, coordinator of Bangladesh Environmental
58pc oil at Rajshahi
Lawyers Association in Barishal, echoed him.
Mohammad Yunus Mia, BCC’s sanitation officer, said
workers collect waste from the 30 wards at night using
box vans, temporarily store it by the roadside, and later
restaurants unhygienic
transport it to two secondary transfer stations (STS). Says Bangladesh Food Safety Authority report
Plans are underway to construct 13 more STS facilities
and add 300 new dustbins to improve operations, he added. A CORRESPONDENT, Rajshahi fines on the hotels and the restaurants
Contacted, BCC secretary Masuma Akhter said they for now but are making them aware so
had sent a proposal to the Local Government Department Around 58 percent of edible oil used that they use fresh oils daily.
in February 2021 for final approval for setting up a waste- in various hotels and restaurants Prof Mahbubur Rahman Khan, head
to-energy plant by incinerating wastes, and a three-acre in Rajshahi is harmful to human of Rajshahi Medical College’s medicine
land was acquired in Lamchhari area to this end. health, reveals a new report from the department, said consuming foods
“However, the proposal was turned down in September Bangladesh Food Safety Authority. prepared with edible oils that contain
last year over objections from the local residents. Now we The national food safety regulatory excessive amounts of polar compounds
agency prepared the report after is very harmful to human health.
are looking for government land elsewhere to materialise
testing food and oil used in thirty-eight
this project,” she added.
hotels and restaurants in the Rajshahi The edible oil used in the hotels
metropolitan area and in Puthia and and restaurants contains
Godagari upazilas in the past month. harmful polar compounds
According to the analysis, edible oil
from fifteen of the twenty-two hotels
from repeated reuse, posing
and restaurants under the metropolitan serious health risks like ulcers,
area and seven out of sixteen hotels cancer, and liver or kidney
and restaurants in Puthia and Godagari issues, according to the report.
upazilas contained an excessive amount
(above 24 percent) of polar compounds -- “They can cause inflammation,
harmful substances that are formed due resulting in ulcers and stomach cancer.
to reusing edible oils over and over again. Besides, it can cause liver and digestive
Besides, the agency also found problems as well as infection of the kidney
various harmful microorganisms by and gallbladder problems,” he noted.
testing the chopping and serving tables Prof Mahbubur further said that the
of some of the hotels and restaurants. government should increase awareness
“We have seized and destroyed among the owners and staff of the
edible oil containers that had excessive hotels and restaurants so that they do
amounts of polar compounds,” said not reuse the same oil several times.
Md Yeamin Hossain, food safety “Along with raising awareness
officer of the Bangladesh Food Safety among people, the government should
Authority Rajshahi office. punish those who use unhygienic edible
He said that they were not imposing oil in cooking,” he added.
 City

6 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

DHAKA THURSDAY DECEMBER 5, 2024
AGRAHAYAN 20, 1431 BS

BAPPA Teerondaz Repertory

returns to Shilpakala
MAZUMDER after 8-year ban
revives Lucky After an eight-year
hiatus, Teerondaz

Akhand’s Repertory
to
returns
Bangladesh
Shilpakala Academy
melody in this Friday, marking
its comeback with
a debate and two
‘Bhober Nodi’ performances.

Seven years after Lucky Akhand’s

passing, his timeless music lives
12 entertainment stars in Banned in
for a Sundarbans
2016

awareness issue, the

BBC 100 Women 2024 list

troupe’s return follows the political shift post-
on with Bhober Nodi, a new song July Uprising.
performed by Bappa Mazumder and The day begins with Bagbitanda (Verbal
Sayeeda Shampa. Based on a melody Duel) at 4pm, featuring Deepak Suman and
composed by the legendary musician, The BBC’s 2024 100 Women list resistance for Afghan women. efforts through her film The Great Anu Muhammad debating autocracy and
the track features lyrics by Golam celebrates inspiring figures driving Pakistani singer Hadiqa Kiani has Green Wall. development, with audience participation.
Morshed and music arranged by change amid global crises, including combined music with humanitarian Other honorees include Japanese At 5:30pm and 7pm, the group will
12 entertainment industry icons who work, rebuilding homes for flood comedian Naomi Watanabe, British stage Konthonalite Surjo (The Sun in the
Bappa. Windpipe), exploring identity and existential
Set to release today on Gaan have used their platforms to challenge victims through her Vaseela-e- singer Raye, and Indonesian heavy
stereotypes and inspire action. Raah project. Malian artiste Inna metal vocalist Firda Marsya Kurnia, all struggles. The cast includes Quazi Nawshaba
Janala YouTube channel, the song Ahmed, Shayor Niyogi, and Deepak Suman,
celebrates Akhand’s enduring legacy. Afghan singer Elaha Soroor’s Modja advocates for climate justice of whom continue to inspire change
anthem Naan, Kar, Azadi! has as a co-founder of Code Green and through their creative and social among others.
Bappa expressed gratitude for the
become a powerful symbol of highlights Africa’s environmental contributions.
opportunity, praising Akhand’s
soulful compositions and Shampa’s

BEYONCÉ Khijir Hayat Khan

complementing vocals.
Lyricist Morshed highlighted the WHAT’S
collaboration as a tribute to Akhand’s
THE HAPS?
influence, which continues to inspire
Bangladeshi music today. crowned as ultimate resigns from Film
‘Gai Gaan, pop icon of the Certification Board
Miley Prane 21st century Filmmaker Khijir Hayat
Khan has resigned from
Pran’ Billboard has named Beyoncé
the greatest pop icon of the the Bangladesh Film
An intimate musical 21st century, celebrating Certification Board just
gathering for music lovers at her 25-year career of record- three weeks after its
Jatra Biroti, featuring breaking achievements, constant reformation in September.
Shorbonam, Argha Dev, and reinvention, and unmatched artistry. Announcing his decision
Rodoshi Isfar Fatemi. With 32 Grammy wins—the most in via Facebook on December
history—and 11 new nominations for 3, he stated, “Holding a
Date: December 7
her 2024 album Cowboy Carter, she government position doesn’t
Time: 7pm continues to dominate. mean censoring one’s thoughts... I
Beyoncé boasts nine No 1 singles, can’t change myself for any position or title.” He cited
24 top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot
personal reasons for stepping down.
100, and eight No 1 albums since her
2003 debut Dangerously in Love. The 15-member board, formed to address
Billboard’s list ranks Taylor Swift and filmmakers’ demands, includes figures like Dr Zakir
Rihanna at No 2 and No 3, respectively, Hossain Raju and Quazi Nawshaba Ahmed. Chaired
alongside other stars like Adele, Drake, by the secretary of the Ministry of Information and
and Lady Gaga shaping modern pop Broadcasting, the board oversees film certification in
culture. Bangladesh.

NEWS
Pacers lead Tigers to glory 12 remanded
FROM PAGE 12
Rice to be imported Rejoinder, our reply
FROM PAGE 12
FROM PAGE 12 deliveries, stand-in skipper Mehedi Clashes between police, lawyers, and FROM PAGE 2 on government purchases recently opposition to someone’s inclusion.
quicks, including Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Miraz and opener Shadman followers of former ISKCON leader The current rice stock is below the 10.5 eased public procurement rules for “At this critical juncture of the
Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam, and Islam’s sudden attack on the Windies Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari lakh tonne recommended by experts for rice imports through open tender, country and its polity we strongly urge
Nahid Rana -- the latest to make his bowlers to Taijul Islam wrapping erupted after he was denied bail in a enabling market interventions by the bringing down the time needed to 15 the country’s media to refrain from the
way in the pace unit and the most sedition case on November 26. Saiful government to foil price manipulation days from 42 days. kind of malpractice that the report has
things up on Day 4 -- the foundation
exciting of all -- now making their Islam Alif, a lawyer, was killed during by private millers and traders. The advisory committee on done,” it added.
for all of it were laid by Nahid had Public food stocks stood at 10.90 Our Reply
presence felt in almost every other the clashes. economic affairs has also decided, in
done in the previous innings. lakh tonnes, which includes 6.69 lakh principle, that the government would After getting the rejoinder The Daily Star
matches, Bangladesh finally seem to The pacers even played a crucial Police have arrested 39 people so tonnes of rice, on December 4. talked to some other members of the
import 5 lakh tonnes of rice.
have cracked the code of bundling role on the fourth day as well, with far in five cases over the violence and Meanwhile, food ministry officials Jatiya Nagorik Committee who attended
Estimates by the Department of
the opposition out twice in a Test. Taskin reaping the benefits of bowling the murder. said they have initiated efforts for Agricultural Extension show that the November 22 meeting. They
The second Test against West Indies in tandem with Nahid as he gave both government-to-government Aman acreage declined to 57.35 lakh confirmed that there was no discussion
was turned on its head on Day 3 when
Nahid terrorised the hosts’ batters
Tigers two crucial breakthroughs in
between spinners weaving their web. Banks were arrangements and open tenders.
Bangladesh has signed a
hectares this season from 57.5 lakh
hectares in the previous one.
on the inclusion of any particular
individual, but they had different views
with deliveries that clocked around
and even over the 150kph-mark.
The Test series win in Pakistan
saw pacers take a total of 21 wickets
considered memorandum of understanding
with Vietnam and Myanmar for rice
The Bangladesh Trade and Tariff
Commission in a report on October
on the inclusion of new members.
That is why the Jatiya Nagorik
From 85 for one to getting bundled in two matches and even the famous FROM PAGE 12 imports and the deals are valid until 29 cited the DAE estimate and said the Committee formed a seven-member
out for just 146, still 18 runs away from win over the BlackCaps in Mount Mansur, who took over the central 2027, they said. recent floods had caused a production search committee to scrutinise the
the Tigers’ low 164-run first-innings Maunganui in 2021 was on the back bank in August, recounted what he In addition, the advisory committee loss of 8.39 lakh tonnes. proposed inclusion. However, the
total, West Indies batters were left had seen when he first surveyed the committee did not further discuss
of a brilliant spell by Ebadot Hossain.
bamboozled, bruised, and shocked
by what Nahid offered during a spell
of fierce fast-bowling. He ended up
From a time when Bangladesh had
to rely mostly on spinners making most
economy. “Everything was a disaster,”
he told the NYT. Now he says he is
“cautiously optimistic” that things
Student leaders with the members on the findings of
the search committee, although it is a
norm of a democratic organisation to
of the pitches tailored to suit them to FROM PAGE 12 of the reforms we want,” Shibgatullah have such discussion.
with his maiden Test fifer in the first the Tigers knowing that now they have are being stabilised. We apologise for mentioning the
establish non-partisan, student- Shibga, literary affairs secretary of
innings, and that seemed to have what it takes to overpower opponents This “is not the year for economic council-based politics on campuses, inclusion of the particular individual.
Islami Chhatra Shibir, told the briefing.
sparked a belief in the troops to go in even in their own backyards -- this growth,” Mansur added. But inflation ensuring representation of students. However, The Daily Star in its
The student leaders claimed that 30
the ascendancy from there on. particular WTC cycle will definitely is coming down, and remittances are Hasant also said that student’s student platforms attended yesterday’s report raised the procedural flaw of
In the second innings, Jaker Ali’s work as a confidence booster for even going up. “We have to be satisfied representation in the interim meeting. However, according to meeting the Jatiya Nagorik Committee and the
relentless career-best 91 off 106 better Test outings in the coming years. with that,” he said. government should be ensured through sources, Chhatra Dal, the student wing rejoinder didn’t mention anything on
elections to student councils before the of BNP, and all the left-leaning student it. The report also had the comments

Amu, Qamrul MPs begin push

FROM PAGE 12
national elections.
The student organisations also
decided that each platform will submit
organisations were absent.
Contacted, Nasir Uddin Nasir,
general secretary of Chhatra Dal, stated
of the platform’s spokesperson and
maintained all journalistic norms and
procedures. We stand by our report.
FROM PAGE 12 is a significant and remarkable day for a proposal by December 20 outlining
The AL leaders, who were arrested all of us. Qamrul Islam was the very
also filed a complaint of “insurrection”
against the president, some of his the reforms in student politics.
that while the interim government
has mentioned involving students in Over 700 escaped
earlier in other cases, were brought to person who formed this tribunal. Now, “A new kind of politics led by various initiatives, including the reform
ministers and top military and police FROM PAGE 12
the court from Dhaka Central Jail in he is here to face trial for his crimes.” student organisations is the need of commissions, only a particular group has with higher protein levels to ensure
Keraniganj around 10:20am.
officials -- which can carry a penalty
Then Hasina-led AL government of life imprisonment or even death. the hour. We, the leaders of student been engaged so far, and no discussions better nutrition, better medical services
Qamrul was dressed in a khaki shirt, constituted the ICT in March 2010 organisations, will outline the nature were held with other organisations. and security.
black trousers, and black glasses, while Even the leader of Yoon’s own
to try the perpetrators of the crimes High-risk prisoners are kept in
Amu wore a white Panjabi and pajama. ruling party described the attempt
against humanity committed during
They were produced before the court
around 11:40am.
the Liberation War.
Prosecutor Monawar yesterday
as “tragic” while calling for those
involved to be held accountable.
In a show of public anger against
Hindu temples, houses specialised cells equipped with mobile
phone jammers. Officials search those
cells regularly, he said, adding that
As state prosecutor Gazi Monowar said they told the tribunal that both CCTV cameras have been installed in
the president, thousands of protesters FROM PAGE 12 the mob was instigated to attack
Hossain Tamim read the allegations Amu and Qamrul were present at houses. The house and family temple some cells to monitor illegal activities.
converged around his office in central Hindu properties. The damage is not
against Amu to the tribunal, he stated the meeting that decided to issue the of Guru Dey, president of Upazila Puja The prison authorities are going to
Seoul on Wednesday evening after as much as it is said to be. We met the
that the accused, as the coordinator of shoot-at-sight order. “The following Udjaan Parishad, were vandalised. They religious leaders in the upazila to keep deploy dog squads in some prisons to
the 14-party alliance, had decided to day, many innocent students and staging a rally in Gwanghwamun
also looted several gold jewellers’ stores the situation calm.” prevent the entry of drugs, he added.
impose a curfew and issue shoot-on- civilians were shot dead, and many Square, demanding Yoon quit.
and shops owned by Hindu people.” Also on Tuesday night, a temple The prisons chief said they are going
sight orders to suppress the student others injured across the country.” In his late-night television to change their logo, as it contains a
Rahul Das Ratul, a resident of titled Sree Sree Kali Mandir was partially
movement. According to the prosecutor, the announcement imposing martial law boat symbol, following demands from
Manglargao, said, “They attacked my damaged in an attack at Gaziteka village
Amu remained silent, but he shook ICT has already issued arrest warrants on Tuesday, Yoon cited the threat of different quarters and the general public.
neighbourhood around 10 o’ clock at of Barlekha upazila of Moulvibazar,
his head as the charges were read. for about 70 high-profile individuals, North Korea and “anti-state forces”. night. I called 999 and then the army Responding to a query about the
said Abdul Qayyum, officer-in-charge
Qamrul has been charged with including former ministers, judges, More than 280 troops, some team arrived.” attack on a former lawmaker inmate at
of Barlekha Police Station.
ordering the indiscriminate shooting bureaucrats, an army major general, flown in by helicopters, arrived at “I don’t understand why all of us BSMMU under jail custody, the IG prisons
The idol, a hand pump, part of the
of students and ordinary people in the and law enforcement officials, in a case parliament to lock down the site. have to suffer because of a single man’s boundary wall, and tiles were vandalised, said the incident occurred due to security
capital’s New Market area, which led filed over committing crimes against But 190 lawmakers defied rifle- fault?” he asked. he said, adding that no complaint had lapses. However, there were prison guards
to numerous fatalities. The killings humanity and genocide during the carrying soldiers to force their way into Police filed a case under the Cyber been filed over the matter. present, and due to their intervention, the
were carried out by Chhatra League, July uprising. parliament to vote against the move. Security Act, accusing the man. A Quoting locals, the officer said the incident did not escalate further.
Jubo League, and law enforcement However, only about 25 of them The constitution says martial law Sunamganj court later sent him to jail. incident occurred late at night. “We have taken an important
agencies. have been arrested so far. must be lifted when a parliamentary The army set a temporary camp at “We visited the scene,” he told this initiative to prevent such incidents
As the prosecutor detailed the DB police arrested Amu in the majority demands it, leaving Yoon Manglargaon village to prevent the correspondent. from happening in the future. We are
charges, Qamrul smiled faintly. capital on November 6. with little choice but to retract his risk of further incidents, said the OC. Late last night, around 100 students planning for a Central Prisons Hospital.
Briefing journalists after the court Qamrul was detained on November decision and call off the military in Sunamganj Deputy Commissioner of Dhaka University demonstrated If it is built, prisoners will be treated
proceedings, prosecutor Gazi Monowar 18 before being shown arrested in the another television address six hours Mohammad Ileas Mia said, “We near the TSC against the attacks on there, and we will not need to send
Hossain Tamim said, “Today [yesterday] murder case of one Abdul Wadud. later. suspect the incident was preplanned: Hindu community. them to government hospitals,” he said.
INTERNATIONAL 7
DHAKA THURSDAY DECEMBER 5, 2024
City AGRAHAYAN 20, 1431 BS

POST-COUP MYANMAR DNA test finally cracks

Another rebel Harris Chy mystery
group calls for FROM PAGE 1
writ petitioner Samira’s
lawyer Mahdin Choudhury
the graveyard of “Shafiqul
Huq Chowdhury Memorial
Orphanage” in Sylhet’s
talks with junta told The Daily Star.
The lawyer said Harris,
as per his last wish, said
lawyer Mahdin.
who was political secretary The court also asked
AFP, Bangkok of BNP Chairperson and the authorities concerned
former prime minister of the government to give
A second major Myanmar ethnic rebel Khaleda Zia, had been
group has said it is ready for Beijing- due honour to Harris as a
hiding to escape the wrath valiant freedom fighter.
mediated talks with the junta to end of the then government.
more than a year of renewed fighting The bench of Justice
He stayed in Dhaka Fahmida Quader and
that has ravaged areas along the Chinese
under the assumed name Justice Mubina Asaf passed
border.
-- Mahmudur Rahman the order after examining
The Myanmar National Democratic
-- until his death on the DNA test report during
Alliance Army (MNDAA), with about
September 3, 2021. He died
8,000 available fighters, has fought the a hearing on the writ
from Covid-19 at a city
Myanmar military for more than a decade petition filed by Haris’
hospital.
for autonomy for the Kokang ethnic daughter Samira seeking
But due to pressure
minority in northern Shan state. necessary directives.
from the law enforcement
Last year, it and two other allied rebel Following the petition,
agencies, his death was
groups launched an offensive against the another HC bench on
covered up and he was
military and seized swathes of Shan state, September 5 this year
including ruby mines and a lucrative trade buried in a madrasa
graveyard in Savar, Mahdin ordered the authorities
highway to China. concerned to exhume
Last week, MNDAA ally the Ta’ang said.
At that time, the hospital Harris’ body from the
National Liberation Army (TNLA) said it graveyard in Savar’s Birulia
was ready for talks with the military. authorities did not issue
any death certificate to the and carry out the DNA test
The Arakan Army (AA), the third to ensure his identity.
group in the rebel alliance, is still fighting name of Harris, rather to
the name of Mahmudur. The court also asked the
the military in coastal Rakhine state in A woman carries the body of her child who was killed during an Israeli strike on the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central
Harris was not given the CID to submit the DNA test
Myanmar’s west. Gaza Strip, during a funeral procession, yesterday. PHOTO: AFP
respect he deserved as a report before it.
freedom fighter, the lawyer The report was
submitted through

‘World on fire’
added.
THAILAND FLOODS Iran ‘releases’ Mahdin said Harris had the Supreme Court

Death toll now 29 Nobel Peace been made accused in

several cases, but he could
Registrar General’s Office
in compliance with its

UN seeks $47b for aid in 2025 laureate Narges not confirm the number of previous directive.
Deputy Attorney
cases.
AFP, Geneva reaching those in the most dire need, and
Mohammadi Meanwhile, accepting General Shafiqur Rahman
the DNA report, the HC represented the state
really ruthless.” AFP, Tehran
yesterday allowed the during yesterday’s hearing.
The UN yesterday appealed for more than $47 As of last month, only 43 percent of the family of Harris to bury Harris disappeared
billion to deliver vital aid next year in a world $50 billion appeal for this year had been met. Iran has released Nobel
Peace laureate Narges his remains, which are when a military-backed
ravaged by surging conflicts and the climate Underfunding this year has seen an
crisis, but warned many in need would not be Mohammadi, jailed since now in the morgue of caretaker government took
80-percent reduction in food assistance in Dhaka Medical College, in
reached. November 2021, for three over in 2007.
Syria, cuts to protection services in Myanmar,
“The world is on fire,” the United Nations’ and diminished water and sanitation aid in weeks on medical grounds,

AFP, Bangkok
new humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher told
reporters in Geneva, acknowledging he was
cholera-prone Yemen, the UN said. her lawyer posted on social
media.
Refrain from
More than 30,000 people have been forced
looking ahead to 2025 with “dread”.
With brutal conflicts spiralling in places
Over the past quarter
century, Mohammadi, 52, controversial activities
to flee their homes due to severe flooding like Gaza, Sudan and Ukraine, and as climate has been repeatedly tried
and jailed for her vocal
FROM PAGE 1 16 years. “Please don’t
in southern Thailand, where the death toll change and extreme weather take an ever- The Chattorgam divisional spoil our achievements
heavier toll, the UN estimated that 305 campaigning against
climbed to 29, officials said yesterday. workshop titled “31-point and sacrifices with small
million people globally will need some form Iran’s widespread use of
More heavy rain is forecast in the state structure reform mistakes. We should be
of emergency assistance next year. capital punishment and its
area, where over 155,000 households proposal and the public careful so our achievements
“We are dealing with a poly-crisis right mandatory dress code for
have already been affected by flooding, engagement” was organised and sacrifices are not
now globally, and it is the most vulnerable women.
according to the Thai government’s public “Based on the advice by BNP training affairs foiled.”
relations department. people in the world who are paying the price,” committee at the Institute
Fletcher said, warning that swelling inequality of the examining doctor, He said the BNP will
Five southern provinces have been hit the public prosecutor of Engineers, Chattogram. not be able to woo voters
-- Pattani, Narathiwat, Songkhla, Nakhon combined with the convergence of conflict Tarique joined the event
suspended the jail in the next parliamentary
Si Thammarat and Phatthalung -- forcing and climate change had created a “perfect virtually from London.
Camilla Waszink of the Norwegian sentence against Narges polls if it fails to maintain
more than 33,000 people to leave their storm” of needs. The BNP acting
Mohammadi for three the existing public trust
homes, the spokesperson for Thailand’s Launching the Global Humanitarian Refugee Council described the appeal’s chairman cautioned that
weeks and she was released in the party. “It is your
ministry of public health said in a statement. Overview, Fletcher acknowledged that the UN acknowledgement that millions would not be anyone thinking that the
from prison,” Mostafa Nili responsibility, not the
Disaster response teams were working to and its partners would not be able to reach all reached as “devastating”. party could easily win the
said on X. people’s, to retain this
drain floodwater and evacuate flood victims of those in need. “When the richest people on Earth can Mohammadi won next election because their
to dry areas, the country’s disaster agency The annual appeal by UN agencies and go to space as a tourist and trillions of US main political rivals are confidence.
the Nobel Peace Prize in “You will have to uphold
said on its Facebook page Wednesday partner humanitarian organisations is dollars are used annually on global military 2023, primarily for her weak should dismiss that
morning. seeking $47.4 billion for 2025 -- slightly less expenditure, it is incomprehensible that we thought. this confidence until the
campaigning against the
The death toll now stands at 29, up from than the appeal for this year -- which it said as an international community are unable Tarique said the next polls are held. Once you win
death penalty in Iran. Her
25 reported on Tuesday. was enough to provide assistance to the 189.5 to find the necessary funding to provide children collected the general polls will be very the election, you will have to
The Thai Meteorological Department million most vulnerable people. displaced families with shelter and prevent award on her behalf as she challenging for BNP as work on implementing the
warned that a weather system moving from “There’s 115 million that we won’t be able to children from dying of hunger,” she said. was in prison at the time. many conspiracies are 31-point reform proposal,”
the South China Sea across Malaysia and reach” with this plan, Fletcher acknowledged. Even more than funding woes, Fletcher said Meanwhile, the afoot and many invisible said Tarique.
the Andaman Sea was expected to bring Pointing to significant “donor fatigue” the biggest barrier to assisting and protecting Norwegian Nobel forces are working against The BNP leader asked his
heavy rain and further flooding to southern hitting humanitarian operations, he stressed people in armed conflict was the widespread Committee urged Iran to the party. party leaders and activists
Thailand. the need for a “realistic” plan, which required violation of international law. permanently free Nargis He reminded the party’s to take its 31-point reform
The Department of Mineral Resources prioritisation and making “really tough, This year has already been the deadliest for Mohammadi, after Tehran leaders and activists about proposal to the doors of
also warned of potential landslides and tough choices”. humanitarian workers, surpassing the 2023 released her for three weeks the oppression they had people and to drum up
flash floods until December 5. “We’ve got to be absolutely focused on toll of 280 killed. on medical grounds. faced for the past 15- support for it.

We have enduring interests, enduring security interests in Syria, particularly the

interest in making sure that ISIS doesn’t resurrect and doesn’t come back.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken
8 EDITORIAL
DHAKA THURSDAY DECEMBER 5, 2024
AGRAHAYAN 20, 1431 BS

The risks of turning symbols

FOUNDER EDITOR: LATE S. M. ALI

Time for national

into battlegrounds
HM Nazmul Alam may appear as isolated incidents, but attention from more pressing issues.
unity is lecturer at the Department of English and Modern
Languages in the International University of Business,
Agriculture and Technology (IUBAT). He can be reached
they tap into deeper insecurities and
grievances. The emotional reactions
For Bangladesh and India, this
includes vital concerns like Sheikh
at [email protected]. they provoke often blur the lines Hasina, water-sharing agreements,
We must respond firmly to anti- between rational discourse and blind trade partnerships, and border
outrage. management.
Bangladesh actions in India The role of sensationalist media in In George Orwell’s 1984, the
The recent attacks and disruptions targeting Bangladesh’s fanning the flames is impossible to manipulation of symbols is central
diplomatic missions in India have provoked justifiable anger ignore. For example, in Bangladesh, to maintaining control over society.
HM NAZMUL ALAM
from government officials, politicians, student leaders, and the arrest of a former ISKCON member Likewise, in William Golding’s Lord
the public alike. Emotions are running high—as evidenced by was widely misrepresented by sections of the Flies, a group of boys descends
the barrage of statements and street protests in Dhaka and Flags hold a special place in the hearts and threatening the goodwill between of the Indian media as an attack on into chaos partly because of their
elsewhere—but so is the case in India. It is precisely during of nations. They are not just pieces neighbouring countries that share a Hindu minorities, despite evidence obsession with symbols of power and
times like this that cooler heads need to prevail. We agree of cloth fluttering in the wind—they long history and complex ties. showing that it was unrelated. fear.
with the Indian high commissioner that Indo-Bangladesh carry the weight of collective memory, The tragic murder of a lawyer in These examples emphasise the
The history and power of flags Chattogram during clashes between importance of handling symbols
ties cannot be judged by a single issue. But this is a mess of identity, and pride. When someone Flags, as a concept, are relatively
India’s own making, and to extricate itself from it and stabilise burns or desecrates a flag, it’s more the former ISKCON member’s followers carefully. Symbols can unite, but when
new in the grand sweep of history. and police was also sensationalised to misused or misunderstood, they can
bilateral relations, it must help prevent the disinformation than an act of protest; it’s a statement They became widely recognised create religious tensions. also tear societies apart.
campaign over “minority persecution” that is fuelling unrest. that can cut deep and spark anger, symbols of nationhood in the 18th These skewed narratives don’t just
And it must stop demonising Bangladesh. sometimes even chaos. What’s the way forward?
and 19th centuries. As political inflame tempers, they shift public
Bangladesh, too, needs to frame its own response, and fast, Recent incidents involving the Both the governments and civil
theorist Benedict Anderson explains focus from genuine issues to symbolic
given the continued fallout of the arrest of Hindu religious desecration of national flags in both societies must take responsibility
in Imagined Communities, nations conflicts, making peaceful resolutions
leader Chinmoy Krishna Das, with reports emerging of anti- India and Bangladesh have turned for defusing tensions. This means
are constructed through shared even harder to achieve.
Bangladesh posturing in different parts of India as well as into flashpoints, threatening to avoiding knee-jerk reactions to
hostile mobilisations along the border. It must be acknowledged unravel delicate ties between the two incidents and focusing on long-term
that people in Bangladesh have shown commendable restraint neighbours. These actions, whether solutions. Leaders on both sides
so far. But much more needs to be done. The first priority is deliberate or impulsive, are a reminder should address the root causes of such
to reaffirm our commitment to national unity and continue of how fragile relationships can be acts, be it misinformation, cultural
showing restraint, despite the provocations. Chief Advisor Prof when symbols of identity are treated misunderstandings or political
Muhammad Yunus’s initiation of dialogue with the leaders of carelessly. Let’s talk about why these grievances.
student, political and religious bodies shows a constructive symbols matter so much, how such One way to promote greater
approach to this crisis, which will hopefully further consolidate actions deepen divides, and what understanding is through education.
our response. lessons history can teach us about Teaching young people about the
Unity is also needed to highlight the pluralistic character handling these situations better. shared histories and struggles of
of Bangladesh in the face of the disinformation campaign Tensions have been running high Bangladesh and India can build
run by sections of Indian media, which Hindutva groups and between Bangladesh and India after empathy and mutual respect. Cultural
parties have been exploiting to rally domestic support and a few troubling events. In Kolkata, exchanges, joint initiatives, and public
destabilise Bangladesh since the ouster of India’s favoured protesters outside the Deputy High dialogues can also help bridge gaps
leader, Sheikh Hasina. In this regard, the role of our religious Commission of Bangladesh set fire and counteract divisive narratives.
leaders, particularly those from Hindu community, is to the Bangladeshi flag along with an At the same time, media
particularly important as they can promote a collective vision effigy of the chief adviser. In Agartala, organisations must commit to
of coexistence by debunking the false narrative of persecution protesters attacked the Assistant responsible reporting. Sensationalism
and showcasing their commitment to national unity and High Commission of Bangladesh. may grab attention, but it does so at
sovereignty. The authorities, at the same time, must take Meanwhile in Bangladesh, reports the cost of trust and truth. As Amartya
stricter measures to address any rights concerns of minority emerged of students walking over VISUAL: ANWAR SOHEL
Sen argues in The Argumentative
communities. Official investigations into past violence against images of the Indian tricolour painted symbols and stories. A flag is one such The role of the law Indian, societies flourish when debates
minorities must also be more visible and result-oriented. on the ground in some prestigious symbol that embodies the collective The Flag Act, 1972 in Bangladesh and are grounded in reason and respect,
But perhaps the most important thing to do now is educational institutions. imagination of a country’s people. its 2010 amendment impose penalties not hysteria.
streamline efforts to counter the systemic propaganda on
These acts have triggered outrage But that same power also makes for flag desecration, including up to For Bangladesh and India, the
India’s side. In recent days, we have seen reports on circulation
on both sides. Bangladesh’s foreign flags easy targets. Throughout two years of imprisonment and a fine. stakes are too high to let flag-related
of videos and pictures that have later been proven to be false.
ministry issued statements expressing history, flag desecration has been a India also has stringent guidelines controversies derail progress. Both
In fact, such attempts have been ongoing since August 5 to
serious concerns and resentment provocative form of protest. During under its Flag Code, dictating how the countries face shared challenges,
exaggerate isolated incidents of minority attacks in order to
about the attacks on its diplomatic the Vietnam War, the United States flag must be treated and prescribing from climate change to economic
bolster the narrative of persecution. Unfortunately, the Indian
missions, noting that such protests saw widespread flag-burning as an act punishment for violations. development, and cooperation
media continues to be a reference point for the Western media
breached security arrangements of defiance against its government. In countries like Denmark, burning is essential for overcoming these
and India-linked politicians. This calls for a better and more
coordinated response from Bangladesh so that our side of the and made their staff feel unsafe. In In South Africa, during apartheid, a foreign flag is illegal, while burning hurdles. With careful handling, even
story gets the coverage it deserves. India, some hospitals and medical anti-government activists burnt the the national flag is allowed under the most provocative acts can become
The challenge we face is multifaceted, but we must remain associations reacted by declaring that national flag to reject the regime’s free speech rights. In Saudi Arabia, opportunities for dialogue and growth.
united and say no to any divisive tactics. The anti-Bangladesh they would stop treating Bangladeshi legitimacy. desecrating the flag, which features Ultimately, flags are not just pieces
and anti-Muslim politics in India will likely lose steam if we patients, a move that could have The emotions tied to flags vary Islamic scripture, is considered both a of cloth. They are carriers of collective
continue to be vigilant. The Indian authorities, for their part, serious human consequences for by country. In the US, the First religious and national offence. hope and history. Respecting them
must match their commitment with meaningful actions people who seek medical help across Amendment protects flag desecration Laws like these reflect a nation’s means respecting the people and
that de-escalate tensions and take our relations in a positive borders. Meanwhile, the hotel and as a form of free speech. But in values, but they can only go so far in principles they represent. By focusing
direction. restaurant owners’ association countries like Bangladesh and India, preventing symbolic provocations. on what unites rather than what
in Tripura announced they were where the national identity is closely Addressing the root causes of such divides, Bangladesh and India can
temporarily banning Bangladeshi tied to hard-won independence acts—be it political dissatisfaction, show the world that symbols don’t have
tourists. struggles, such acts are seen as deeply social unrest or inter-group tensions— to become weapons to wield against
Awami League’s These retaliatory moves show
how quickly emotions can escalate
offensive and often lead to severe
backlash. The recent incidents show
requires broader efforts beyond
legislation.
each other. In a world increasingly
fractured by identity politics, we have

legacy of corruption and turn minor incidents into major

controversies, deepening mistrust
how such provocations can lead to a
ripple effect. On the surface, these acts
When emotions boil over symbols
like flags, they risk diverting
to look beyond the fabric and focus on
the fabric of humanity itself.

TIB report reveals how it held the

country hostage to bribery, corruption
An estimated Tk 1.46 lakh crore being paid in bribes for
Bring back married adolescent
services during the 15 years of Awami League rule is truly
mindboggling. This estimate was derived by Transparency
International Bangladesh (TIB) from an analysis of six
household surveys conducted between 2010 and 2023. The
girls to schools
most recent survey, which assessed the extent of corruption
between May 2023 and April 2024, revealed that 70.9 percent Laila Khondkar prevent most married girls from partners; a 40 percent increase in
is an international development worker.
of respondents encountered corruption while seeking services, continuing their education when they girls attending school or being in paid
collectively paying a total of Tk 10,902 crore in bribes. become mothers. They face various work; a nearly 70 percent increase in
Among the sectors analysed, passport services were challenges after childbirth, which girls having a reliable support network.
identified as the most corrupt (86 percent of respondents), include a lack of affordable childcare, In Bangladesh, we should integrate
followed by the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (85.2 and an inflexible school routine for policies to support married girls and
percent), law enforcement agencies (74.5 percent), judicial new mothers. Furthermore, their adolescent mothers into existing
services (62.3 percent), and land services (51 percent). Overall, families, often poor, do not encourage national strategies for education,
50.8 percent of surveyed households reported paying bribes or support their studies. Marriage and child marriage and adolescent health.
LAILA KHONDKAR
or being forced to pay extra for services. These findings motherhood are frequently perceived Referral and tracking mechanisms
underscore how the former regime normalised corruption, as incompatible with schooling in should be created between health,
compelling citizens to engage in unethical practices to access Imagine a future where thousands of situation, with poverty pushing more Bangladesh, which needs to change. education and child protection
basic services. girls, married off too young, find their families towards child marriage. While there are some efforts to systems to identify pregnant
Shockingly, the highest average bribe amount was recorded way back to classrooms. This vision is Child marriage is a violation of prevent child marriage, hardly any adolescents in school and refer them to
in the judicial services sector, at Tk 30,972 per household. The not just aspirational—it’s essential. children’s rights and a form of sexual organisation focuses on bringing appropriate maternal health and child
fact that individuals were forced to resort to unlawful measures According to the Socioeconomic and violence. Adolescent brides face back married adolescents to schools. protection services. A system to track
even for legal assistance underscores the extent to which the Demographic Survey 2023 published heightened health risks, increased They remain almost invisible in our adolescent girls who have left school
regime undermined law and order. This not only points to the by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics domestic violence, and the abrupt end development discourse. But there due to marriage or pregnancy can be
institutional decay during its tenure but also reveals that, far (BBS), marriage accounts for 42 percent of their childhood. Sadly, Bangladesh are programmes in other countries developed to actively reach out to girls
from maintaining a “zero-tolerance” stance on corruption of student dropouts. Shockingly, has the highest child marriage rate in that address the multiple needs of after their childbirth and facilitate
as claimed, Awami League turned the country into a mafia 71 percent of female dropouts cite South Asia. According to Bangladesh adolescent mothers and build their their reintegration into school.
state. Citizens were left at the mercy of systemic corruption, marriage as the cause, compared to Sample Vital Statistics 2023, 41.06 agency for future planning. Moreover, parents, in-laws and
while mechanisms for accountability completely collapsed. three percent of boys. Girls who leave percent of girls under 18 years of age The Reencontrandome (Finding community members should be made
Given this, rebuilding a system of checks and balances to school due to marriage not only lose were married last year, a significant myself again) programme in Mexico aware of the importance of education
steer the country away from this cesspool of corruption will educational opportunities but also rise from 31.3 percent in 2020. This used a multipronged approach to for married girls. Teachers, school staff
understandably require substantial time and effort. have lower chances of joining the regression is not just disappointing, build support networks for adolescent and students need to be sensitised
The consequences of such widespread corruption were formal labour market. As adults, they it’s unacceptable. mothers, run workshops to enhance on the rights of married girls to help
catastrophic, disproportionately affecting low-income and face lifelong economic insecurity and The dropout statistics are equally their skills and agency for returning them complete their education free
marginalised groups. The survey also found that corruption social marginalisation. bleak. While secondary school to school, and gain employment. from stigma. Finally, married girls
rates were higher when individuals sought services in person Last year, a BRAC survey of 50,000 enrolment for girls has risen to 83.7 The programme taught about should be supported in balancing their
compared to when using online or mixed methods, even households in the country, titled percent, 34.87 percent still drop sexual and reproductive health and caring responsibilities and studies by
though the latter approaches were not without flaws. “Born to be a Bride,” found that child out, with the majority leaving after rights (SRHR), trained SRHR care establishing childcare facilities near
Following the ouster of the corrupt and fascist AL regime, marriage is happening in both poor primary school (Bangladesh Bureau providers for providing support to schools or offering adolescent mothers
the nation has placed high expectations on the interim and rich families. In addition to poverty of Educational Information and adolescents, monitored the availability flexible school hours.
government. Chief among these is the hope for substantial and lack of social safety for girls, Statistics, 2023). of contraception, identified cases of Girls married too young are more
measures to dismantle institutionalised corruption that parents mentioned finding a “suitable Married adolescents often face sexual violence, and referred girls to than statistics—they are individuals
spread like cancer. To this end, the current government groom” as one of the main reasons discriminatory attitudes from teachers, appropriate services. with dreams deferred. It’s time we
must strictly implement TIB’s recommendations—such as for arranging marriage for their administrators and other students. It By the end of the programme, acknowledged their plight and
full digitisation of services, introduction of one-stop service daughters. Weak law enforcement is is considered inappropriate to have significant improvements were prioritise their right to education. Our
systems, and strong legal action against those involved in also responsible for child marriage. a married or pregnant girl in the observed: a 30 percent increase in society must rise to this challenge and
corruption. Additionally, it must comprehensively reform Alarmingly, around one and a half classroom as she is perceived as setting the use of contraception among ensure that marriage is not the end of
institutions tasked with combating corruption, such as the years of Covid pandemic-induced a “bad example” to other students. girls; a 33 percent increase in girls a girl’s journey, but a chapter she can
Anti-Corruption Commission. school closures exacerbated the Besides, caregiving responsibilities communicating assertively with their rewrite with dignity and hope.

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OPINION 9
DHAKA THURSDAY DECEMBER 5, 2024
AGRAHAYAN 20, 1431 BS

Muslims in media, and media in

Muslim-majority Bangladesh
Dr Md Mahmudul Hasan spanned three pages, the redress was only one following quote from Dr Bari, “Every society Muslim bias and prejudice. A comparable
is professor at the Department of line, and that on Page 9. has to be really careful so the situation doesn’t
English Language and Literature in
scrutiny of media outlets in other powerful
the International Islamic University Accordingly, in a research paper titled lead us to a time when people’s minds can be countries may show a similar or worse trend
Malaysia. He can be reached at “Islamophobia in the UK” conducted at the poisoned as they were in the 1930s. If your of demonising and securitising Muslims.
[email protected]. University of Wales Trinity Saint David in 2014, community is perceived in a very negative Against this backdrop, I present below an
Fleur Allen comments, “When the original manner, and poll after poll says that we are example of responsible media practices in
story had been given so much space it seems alienated, then Muslims begin to feel very Muslim-majority Bangladesh.
inadequate that the correction was afforded so vulnerable.” On November 25, 2024, former ISKCON
little. The original story, without correction, is Later, Dr Bari’s statement was distorted and leader and Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna
MD MAHMUDUL HASAN also still available on their website.” decontextualised in the service of anti-Muslim Das Brahmachari was arrested in Dhaka
on charges of sedition and dishonouring
I lived in the UK from 2000 to 2007. It was Bangladesh’s flag. The next day, on
a time fraught with events of momentous November 26, he was produced before a court
consequences to Muslims, especially those in Chattogram, where he was denied bail.
in Britain. During that period, the world Thousands of Chinmoy’s supporters and
witnessed, among others, the 9/11 attacks on followers sought to blockade the prison van
New York City’s World Trade Center in 2001; carrying their leader. This created a chaotic
the invasion of Afghanistan by the US-led situation, and a clash broke out between the
coalition forces in the same year; major anti- protesters and police in the court premises.
war rallies and protests (especially those on Assistant Public Prosecutor Saiful Islam Alif
February 15, 2003) in cities around the globe; got caught in the line of fire and was hacked
the illegal war on Iraq by the US-British-led to death by some of the protesters.
alliance in 2003; the 7/7 London bombings Images of the bloodstained dead body
in 2005; and sporadic Israeli military of the young lawyer fully dressed in his
aggressions on Palestine and Lebanon. court attire shocked the whole country.
These and similar incidents had direct The deafening silence of his two-year-old
or indirect impacts on British Muslims daughter clinging onto her four-month
who experienced heightened levels of pregnant mother brought tears to many eyes.
media hostility and stereotyping, as well as I have read dozens of Bangladeshi news
unprovoked physical and verbal attacks in the stories of the killing of this Muslim lawyer.
streets. Though there are strong anti-racist None of them highlighted the religious
and anti-Islamophobic voices in Britain, the identity of his killers. Nor were their religion
disproportionate media bias against Islam and religious community put on trial for the
and Muslims in the country has been inciting actions of some individuals. Even though
hatred and escalating into anti-Muslim 90 percent of Bangladesh’s population is
extremism.
Muslim, the brutal murder of a Muslim lawyer
During my time in the UK, I saw the
by the followers of a Hindu monk didn’t vitiate
media concocting lies and prejudices and
the interreligious harmony in the country.
coining pejorative terms to caricature and
Bangladeshi people, no matter which religion
marginalise Muslims in British society. To
they follow, are mature enough to understand
rail against the presence of visible Muslims in
the country, London was given the nickname that killers are killers and the rest are brothers
of “Londonistan,” and places with sizeable VISUAL: SALMAN SAKIB SHAHRYAR and sisters in humanity.
Muslim communities were categorised as “no- However, certain media people with
go areas” for non-Muslims. The sensational warped minds continued spreading crude
story continued on two inside pages of the Another very common method of racism. As Kerry Moore, Paul Mason and disinformation. For example, as of this writing,
phrase “Islamification of Britain” was
newspaper. media manipulation is the distortion and Justin Lewis state, “In the week that followed, the headline of the reporting of Ramananda
promoted to scare non-Muslims of imagined
While the title presented the plot as a decontextualisation of statements of Muslim 21 articles and Letters to the Editor were Sengupta of India-based StratNewsGlobal
perils of the growing Muslim population.
fact, only in the actual report did its authors individuals or groups. For example, in a 2008 printed by the UK press, basing their story on still reads, “Lawyer Defending Arrested Hindu
I have continued to follow the British
media even after leaving the country. What use words like “alleged,” “suspected” and report titled “Images of Islam in the UK,” the Telegraph interview. Headlines included Leader Killed in Bangladesh.” Can anything
is evident is that there are continuous media “suspicion.” They then concluded that the Kerry Moore, Paul Mason and Justin Lewis of ‘Fury as Muslim brands Britain “Nazi”’ (Sunday be farther from the truth?
attempts to put a spotlight on Muslims and to police didn’t find “any hazardous items” with the UK’s Cardiff School of Journalism, Media Express, November 11); ‘Comparisons to Nazi Anti-Muslim media bigotry is so
make the whole community accountable for the suspects, who were of North African and Cultural Studies touch on media reports Germany inaccurately reflect Muslim status normalised that even Reuters initially
the actions of a few individuals. origin. But the reputation damage done to involving British-Bangladeshi writer Dr in Britain’ (The Daily Telegraph, November 12); circulated the false information that the slain
For example, in September 2010, Pope Muslims by the frontpage headline was hardly Muhammad Abdul Bari. and ‘Muslim in fear of a “Nazi UK”’ (The People, lawyer was defending the Hindu leader, which
Benedict XVI visited London, and on remedied by the details provided in the report. Dr Bari was the secretary-general of the November 11).” the British news agency later retracted.
September 18, 2010—without any proof or Clearly, there was no plot to kill the Pope. Muslim Council of Britain in 2006-2010. On All these hyperbolised, incendiary media I would like to end this essay with the
evidence whatsoever—The Daily Express Nor were those (Muslim) men charged for November 10, 2007, London-based newspaper headlines were intended to drive a wedge following rhetorical question: how would
featured an eye-catching, frontpage headline: hatching any. Two days later, on September The Daily Telegraph published an interview between the British Muslims and their country. Bangladeshi and foreign media outlets report
“Muslim plot to kill Pope.” Written by John 20, 2010, the newspaper published a redress. with him conducted by journalists Rachel As I have discussed above, a section of a comparable case involving the killing of a
Twomey, David Pilditch and Nathan Rao, the However, while the provocative fake news story Sylvester and Alice Thomson. It included the the British media is charged with anti- non-Muslim lawyer?

Bangladeshis know how to shape their destiny

Prof Syed Munir Khasru tolerance. Reports exaggerating the The interim government’s its borders. While Afghanistan’s 1971. Today, February 21 is universally
is chairman of the Institute situation, such as claims of systematic
for Policy, Advocacy, and
emphasis has also been on governance has often been marked by observed as International Mother
Governance (IPAG), an suppression of Hindu organisations, maintaining order and safeguarding shifts between authoritarianism and Language Day.
international think tank. ignore the local context and minority communities. Both radicalism, Bangladesh’s trajectory As the interim government steers
Bangladesh’s unique socio-cultural Professor Yunus and Army Chief has been one of balancing democratic the country towards elections, the
identity. General Waker-Uz-Zaman visited aspirations with a firm stance against challenges it faces are real, but the
Bangladesh’s constitution uniquely several temples and shrines ahead militancy. strengths it possesses are equally
balances secular principles with Islam of Durga Puja. Except for a few If religion alone could shape significant. While vigilance is
as the state religion. The Supreme isolated incidents in a country a state’s trajectory, Bangladesh necessary, the core values that have
SYED MUNIR KHASRU
Court’s 2016 judgment reinforced that of nearly 180 million, attacks on would not have parted ways with shaped Bangladesh’s independence
Islam’s recognition does not contradict minorities, including Hindus, have Pakistan. Instead, people’s free- remain its greatest asset in navigating
The recent controversy involving and cultural distinctiveness rather the state’s secular obligations and that been limited and largely neutralised. spirited nature and a rich tradition these uncertain times with cautious
the Bangladesh chapter of the than religious uniformity. all religious communities must enjoy Hence, structural conditions and of cultural celebration have created
equal protection and rights under optimism. There is no need for anybody,
International Society for Krishna The call for autonomy, often public sentiment in Bangladesh do a space where being devout doesn’t regionally or globally, to be overly
Consciousness (ISKCON) has symbolised by the term “Bangladeshi” the law. The social fabric reflects
not favour a Taliban-style takeover conflict with being open-minded concerned as history shows, despite
underlined the country’s challenges since the early 1960s, reflects this this balance, visible in the shared
or Pakistani-style quasi-military and progressive. Bangladeshis have setbacks and challenges, Bangladeshis
in maintaining its legacy of tolerance desire for a unique national identity. courtyards between mosques and
rule under the cloak of so-called trod this path with blood and sweat know how to shape their destiny.
in the aftermath of Prime Minister This historic resistance reinforces temples in regions like Lalmonirhat.
Bangladeshis are known for democracy. since February 21, 1952, when martyrs
Sheikh Hasina’s ouster who has Bangladesh’s foundation built on In addition, the country’s vigorous gave their lives to resist Urdu being This article was originally
been provided shelter in India. cultural plurality and assertion of their moderate, devout faith and
progressive outlook. Influenced engagement in international imposed as the national language published in the opinion column
Misrepresentation by some media a distinct Bengali identity, which peacekeeping missions highlights by Muhammad Ali Jinnah until of The Indian Express on
outlets of the arrest of ISKCON leader continues to shape its political and by Sufi traditions, the country’s
religious landscape promotes its commitment to stability beyond Bangladeshis liberated the country in December 2, 2024.
Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari social landscape even today.
and the tragic death of Advocate The recent unrest centres on a spiritualism and peaceful
Saiful Islam Alif on November 26 public demonstration held by ISKCON coexistence, contrasting with
has fuelled debates about communal members, during which a saffron hardline interpretations in some
harmony in Bangladesh. flag—often associated with Hindu neighbouring regions. The state’s
Bangladesh is the world’s eighth- nationalism—was hoisted above the emphasis on religious neutrality
most populous country and 35th- national flag of Bangladesh at a rally ensures respect for religion without
largest economy. It is the second- in Chittagong on October 25. This act it dictating public life, in sharp
largest exporter of ready-made was widely condemned as a violation contrast with the theocratic shift
garments (RMG) and home to of national sovereignty and an affront in countries like Afghanistan.
BRAC, the world’s largest NGO, and to the country’s secular identity, Even during the political turmoil
Grameen Bank, founded by Nobel leading to the Brahmachari’s arrest. following Sheikh Hasina’s ouster,
Laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus, The situation escalated when community leaders and students
a pioneer of microcredit finance ISKCON’s supporters, reportedly have united to protect the religious
and head of the interim caretaker enraged by the court’s decision to sites of the minorities.
government. Following Hasina’s deny bail to Brahmachari, surrounded Despite the emergence of
departure, concerns have emerged in a prison van and began protesting. radicalism in many parts of the
certain quarters over the resurgence These protests quickly turned world, these sentiments remain on
of Islamist political parties and violent, with demonstrators allegedly the fringe and have not received
whether Bangladesh could shift vandalising vehicles, throwing widespread support in secular
toward theocracy in a nation where brickbats, and causing damage to Bangladesh. Counterterrorism
over 90 percent of the population is public property, including windows efforts have dismantled networks like
Muslim. There have also been some at the court mosque complex. Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh
comparisons with Pakistan and During the clashes, Advocate Saiful (JMB) and Harkat-ul-Jihad-al Islami
Afghanistan. Islam Alif, a member of the Chittagong Bangladesh (HuJI-B), preventing the
The story of Bangladesh’s Bar Association, was killed and his rise of a unified Islamist front.
independence is rooted in a struggle body was desecrated, which further This resilience stems partly
against communal identity imposed inflamed public sentiment. from Bangladesh’s experience with
by the then-Pakistani rulers. Unlike While communal tensions can extremist violence, such as the 2016
Pakistan, where religious ideologies arise in Bangladesh, like in other Holey Artisan Bakery attack. The
are central in shaping governance parts of South Asia, international state’s firm response, combined
structures, Bangladesh’s identity is media often misrepresent these with the community’s rejection of
anchored in Bengali nationalism. incidents, overlooking Bangladesh’s extremist ideologies has ensured
During the Liberation War of 1971, commendable, if not perfect, track that such an incident has not
Bangladeshis emphasised linguistic record in upholding and promoting occurred since.
10 BOOKS
DHAKA THURSDAY DECEMBER 5, 2024
AGRAHAYAN 20, 1431 BS

BOOK REVIEW: FICTION

I love you; it’s ruining my life

A reluctant fangirl reviews Sally Rooney’s Intermezzo (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2024)
The way SABRINA FATMA AHMAD young adults figuring out the desires,
Rooney dreams, and people that compose their
Someone in a chat group somewhere respective lives (much like Rooney’s
seamlessly called Sally Rooney the ‘Taylor Swift’ main readership, or the Swifties’
folds in age- of the literary world, and now I cannot core demographic). Peter, Ivan, and
old questions unsee it. Young, beautiful white women Margaret may be positioned in specific
and ideas telling stories from a white, relatively and unique scenarios, yet their feelings
within the privileged perspective, crafting worlds will resonate with many readers the
populated almost exclusively by way Swift’s songs, as hyperbolic as her
reality of beautiful people, and yet managing imagery may often be, still hit you in
our current, to transcend borders of race, age and the feels when you least expect them
often hopeless gender to achieve widespread appeal to. References to topics explored in her
world makes in a way that’s almost magical. Just as preceding books also show how Rooney
her the I have mixed feelings about Ms Swift, is in conversation with herself and her
everything Ms Rooney has written has past writing, and how she grows and
significant
had me ugly crying. Yet, I’m never not evolves as her characters do, much like
writer that going to reach for the next thing she Ms Swift revisiting her old hits in her
she is. brings out. ‘Taylor’s Version’ drops. It’s not a stretch
Intermezzo is Sally Rooney’s fourth to imagine that the ongoing success of
novel; it revolves around two estranged both artists hinges on continuing to
brothers of Polish descent who have capture with compassion the ways in
just lost their father, an event that which we all respond, grieve, and grow
strains their already frayed relationship. with each new day.
Grappling with grief, they medicate Intermezzo has received favourable
themselves with unconventional reviews in general, with many calling
romances. Peter, the elder, is in his 30s it the “perfect novel”, but I actually
and a successful lawyer. He finds himself have a peeve—it’s that some of the
DESIGN: MAISHA SYEDA
torn between Sylvia—the untouchable secondary characters feel not fully
love of his life—and Naomi—his much Ivan—although, surprisingly enough, front and centre, pitting Peter’s exposition. Margaret’s chapters have realised. Naomi in particular, is built
younger plaything, for whom he’s Margaret gets a few chapters of her hypocritical condescension against long, emotional and introspective on the Manic Pixie Dream Girl trope,
beginning to catch feelings. He runs own. While occasionally speaking Ivan’s resentment and utter disdain. sentences. The author is a master of and while the complications of Sylvia’s
from his feelings by shuttling between to one another, the stories of these Throbbing beneath the surface of this scenes, drawing each one out in lush health issues, and their impact on her
the two women and drowning the in- characters very rarely intersect. But tension is a well of love, and it would detail, with great economy of words, relationship with Peter, are treated
betweens in work, alcohol and drugs. take a stone-cold sociopath not to weep with non-sensational attention, the
‘intermezzo’ itself is an in-between filling space normally reserved for
Ivan, the younger, is in his 20s and at the book’s emotional climax. lack of specificity at times feels like
move which forces its players to propulsive action, instead with a variety
a socially awkward chess prodigy— Those familiar with Rooney’s a jarring blind spot. Similarly, the
written almost like he’s on the autism respond. It’s symbolic of the way death of ideas, conversations and themes, or
earlier works will note the increased brothers’ mother, when she makes an
spectrum, although this isn’t explicit repositions a life and grief unsettles as Margaret imagines halfway through appearance, isn’t fleshed out enough.
confidence in this one, the ease with
anywhere in the novel. He meets and love, and that’s pretty much what the which she merges her complex themes the novel: “more life”. Minor quibbles aside, Sally Rooney
falls for Margaret, a much-older woman novel explores. While the romantic and issues—from women’s health, to The way Rooney seamlessly folds in has been going from strength to
who is “technically” still married to the tangles, the messy friendships, and the mental health, to climate anxiety, to age-old questions and ideas within the strength with each successive book,
town drunkard. minefields of parent-child relationships Covid scares—with some of the most reality of our current, often hopeless and this, her latest, is a real triumph.
Like the pattern of a chessboard, that characterise Rooney’s other works mundane scenarios. The prose changes world makes her the significant writer
the narrative structure alternates the are present, this particular novel is a with the perspective: Peter thinks in that she is. And if I may jump back Sabrina Fatma Ahmad is a writer,
perspectives of each major character little bit of a departure from her usual short bursts and phrases, almost like a on the Taylor Swift parallel, all of the journalist, and the founder of Sehri
with each chapter—mostly Peter and style. Here, she puts the brothers list, while Ivan has a cool, calm, logical characters in her novels so far feature Tales.

ALT LIT

How to make incendiary literature

communication channel, but you can
choose to be unseen. You, the maker,
choose to be yourself, anonymous; use a
pen name or Insta handle.
3. The topic should matter to you a whole lot.
And it should challenge something enough
that you worry that it would never see the
light of day as an institutional publication.
4. It does not have to be pretty. But it does
help if the handwriting is easy to read.
5. This is a slow-burn. There are no
word limits, no moderators, no instant
gratification apart from the joy of making,
no reactions to worry about.
6.You need to give it oxygen and share
it. Copy it and you drop it in washrooms,
libraries, slip them into books and leave
them on coffee tables.
7. Your original and your copies will be
different; the copies will be black and white.
Now that you have made your zine, you
have been a writer, a layout artist, an editor.
Now it’s time to be a printer and distributor.
To multiply the zine, use your office/
library photocopier while no one is
watching. Or take your zine to the print
shop, any neighbourhood shop where you
don’t mind spending some time. Make sure
to distract your photocopier-mama from
looking too closely at your material.
PRINTSHOP TIPS:
1. Choose the right paper. Standard weight
is the most economical and works well
with high-speed copiers. If you are using
coloured paper, choose light tones so that
the ink pops more.
2. Check that the contrast and brightness is
set to your liking on the machine.
ILLUSTRATION: AMREETA LETHE 3. Check the margins (you may need to
zoom in or out on the machine).
KATERINA DON to creating your own zine in times of peace, *Alternative ways of folding exist and you just like you. 4. Give the ink time to set before folding.
war, or armageddon. Note: You will need a can experiment to find what works best for But there is an honour code—to fact 5. Give yourself time for folding, use gloves
Zines are a new name for an old thing. photocopier to multiply and distribute, so your issue. check; to spread information that is helpful to keep from staining your fingers.
They are the revolutionary pamphlets of try to make your zine before the power goes Pagination—which rhymes beautifully and hard-to reach; and to refrain from 6. Quantity depends on your plans, but
the 1930s, and the underground student out. There are alternatives to the machine, with imagination—is the page order of a stealing or appropriating the work of others. starting with 50 is good.
manifestos of the ‘50-’60s. They are a which I will mention at the end, but they are publication. Most material has a front page, There is no zine police or censor board to 7. Make sure to save your original for
distant relative of the tattered choti mags. slightly more labour intensive. a back page, and inner pages. Let’s call this tell you where the line is and threaten with making more copies in future.
There are many other examples from the status-quo pagination. Challenging the punishment if it is crossed, but there is a 8. If the power is out or you have no access
around the world of self-published, self- WHY ZINES? status quo pagination means exploring self-regulatory culture and benchmark of to a photocopier, there are several analog
distributed, and often dangerous reading Fits in to your pocket other ways of thinking about and working what is and isn’t acceptable. ways of multiplying your zine: Call your
material. No binding needed with page structure and sequence. friends and copy by hand; use plasticine
In the context of our scale-obsessed, Easy to reproduce In the case of your 8-page zine with the SOME THINGS TO CONSIDER AS YOU
block prints; screen print.
globalised market value system, zines are Easy to slip into people’s pockets, central slit—you can get pretty wild with MAKE YOUR ZINE(S):
Now that you have your zine multiplied
a very niche subculture. And today they unnoticed it. You can choose to respect the ‘front- 1. There are two schools of thought: One,
and folded it is time to distribute. You will
are relevant in a very new way as a form Stands up to be a pop-up exhibit inner-back’ order or have a run-on story pro-digitisation/pro-ephemera, and the need to find locations that resonate with
of escape from surveillance, censorship, with no end. You can open the zine up into other (which I belong to), believing that the theme and topic of your zine. If it’s an
capitalist authoritarianism, and targeted HOW TO MAKE ZINE(S): information has a lifespan and should not
its original single sheet state, flip it over to educational zine about tax filing you may
algorithmic erasure—phenomena that *Note: When folding, crease well. have two sides of the story. You can treat the be doomed to live forever. Zines should want to be dropping it in the tax office or
threaten creativity and freedom of thought. 1. Fold the page in half horizontally inner side as a completely different thing. Or expire, like butterflies, bonfire logs, milk, at the bank. If it is a girl-zine about sex-ed
Zines are a way to create and share but 2. Fold the page in half vertically stand the zine up by opening up the centre medication, humans. And being terminal for newly married couples, the marriage
stay invisible to the pervasive information 3. Fold the page in half vertically again cut to give a sneak peak into the flip side. adds a gravitas to the zine and the moment registrar is a good seeding ground.
harvest. Even if you said no to web cookies, 4. Open the page and fold it vertically In format and philosophy, the zine allows in which it is made. Once the moment is Hope to stumble upon and be ignited by
every word, reaction, and eye movement 5. Cut (or gently, rip) the centre crease the for an unchecked creativity. Mary Poppins gone, the information may be outdated, your zines soon!
made with and on a digital device is used to length of one square, this is your central slit famously declared: “First of all, I would like not age well, be decontextualised and made
make you a clearer target. Can you tell that 6. Open and fold horizontally again and to make one thing clear: I never explain redundant. If you want something to live Katerina Don is the curator of HerStory
there is a tone of paranoia in my voice? Yes, push open the slit and press the two ends anything.” Similarly, the zine is absolute; on, this may not be your format. But zines Foundation, and together with Shoma
because this article should have been a zine. together* it does not have to seek the approval of an can live on, however—in other zines. Sharmin and Zaima Hamid Zoa hosts
So, here is a simple instructional guide 7. Done! You have made a zine editor or a publisher. It is in and of itself, 2. Zines are your own personal Sister Library Dhaka.
 DHAKA THURSDAY DECEMBER 5, 2024, AGRAHAYAN 20, 1431 BS
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Miraz channels JUNIOR ASIA CUP HOCKEY

Bangladesh
fear into bold play finish fifth with
ABDULLLAH AL MEHDI

Bangladesh produced two of their finest days in

Haque fell ill, Miraz joined Shadman Islam in
taking the game on. In the space of 12 deliveries,
win over China
following Shahadat Hossain Dipu’s dismissal af- SPORTS REPORTER
Test cricket on day three and day four of the sec- ter a promising start, the pair smashed 33 runs.
ond Test in Jamaica, capturing imaginations Shadman’s powerful cut against Alzarri set the Forward Rakibul Hasan and defender Amirul
with a tooth-and-nail fight yesterday to secure tone before Miraz unleashed, striking Seales for Islam scored hattricks to steer Bangladesh to fifth
their first Test win in the Caribbean since 2009. four consecutive boundaries. Six fours came position in Men’s Hockey Junior Asia Cup with a
The ambition shown to wrest back con- from seven deliveries, and Miraz capped the comprehensive 6-3 win over China in their place-
trol after losing the first Test in Antigua by 201 sequence with a near six off Seales. This coun- deciding match in Muscat, Oman yesterday.
runs, and in the absence of regular faces such as terattacking surge liberated Bangladesh’s bat- The men in red and green, who secured a
Mushfiqur Rahim and skipper Najmul Hossain ters, who had been cowering against the short- maiden FIH Hockey Junior World Cup berth on
Shanto, highlighted the team’s ability to inspire pitched barrage. Tuesday after beating Thailand, will return home
with a bold and pronounced approach. A 70-run partnership in such a short time today with their best-ever finish among 10 teams
As for the architects of this momentous win, provided the counterpunch the visitors needed. in the last 16 years.
several players had pivotal roles, but Mehedi Miraz shared after the match, “I told them to play China had given Bangladesh a run for their
Hasan Miraz stood out. Rallying his troops with positively. With Mominul bhai feeling sick, the money in their last pool match which had ended
grit, controlling emotions, and leaving a tactical atmosphere inside the team wasn’t great. I told in a 1-1 draw, allowing Bangladesh an opportunity
sparkle, Miraz achieved a dreamy start to his first Dipu he could take on their bowlers from the to face Thailand in the first place-deciding match.
Test series as the stand-in skipper. first delivery if he wanted. When I went to bat, I This time the charges of Moududur Rahman
Few would have believed Miraz when he spoke played the same way.” Shuvo did not give spirited China much room by
of a comeback after the first Test. The greater Miraz’s contributions extended beyond his taking the lead in the very first minute through
challenge lay in making his teammates believe in batting. His tactical nous as captain shone, with with a strike from Rakibul. China, however,
the process. The decision to bat first was a sig- bowling changes tailored to match scenarios. equalised in the first quarter and took the lead
nificant departure from Bangladesh’s usual pref- When Kraigg Brathwaite attempted to steady early in the second.
erence to bowl first and assess conditions. Even the home side in their first innings, Miraz in- But penalty corner specialist Amirul, who
as the batting faltered in the first innings, Miraz troduced Nahid Rana, whose short-pitched de- converted three penalty corners in a span of nine
ensured his side did not retreat into a shell. liveries proved decisive. Brathwaite’s discomfort minutes, made it 4-1 before half-time.
Facing a verbal barrage from the Windies against Taijul Islam was exploited in the second China pulled one back in the third quarter
quicks, who targeted his discomfort against innings as well. before Rakibul completed his hattrick with two
short deliveries, Miraz rose to the challenge. His There was no haste or lack of patience in goals from open play in the last quarter to ensure
42 in the second innings may appear modest in Miraz’s captaincy. He used Rana’s pace in short Bangladesh’s third win in six matches in this.
terms of runs, but its impact was profound. With bursts and rotated Taskin Ahmed and Hasan
Alzarri Joseph and Jayden Seales breathing fire Mahmud effectively. His foresight in the fourth
early in the second innings, energised by Bangla- innings, utilising Taijul Islam -- who is the lead-
desh’s first-innings struggles, Miraz counterat- ing wicket-taker in fourth innings Tests over the SHORT CORNER
tacked. past 12 months -- ensured the fields and match
Coming in at number four after Mominul scenarios aligned perfectly for success. Stokes fit for 2nd
New Zealand Test

Jaker’s moment under the sun Second-innings specialist

Taijul [Islam] got five wickets.
Captain Ben Stokes was
named Wednesday in
England’s team for the
second Test, starting
SAMSUL AREFIN KHAN were bowled out for 185, with Taijul He was excellent. He has been
claiming five for 50. very good for the last 10 years. on Friday, against New
“You deserve all the credit,” wrote “I know you will do the most epic Bangladesh captain
Zealand in Wellington,
veteran Bangladesh cricketer things,” Mushfiqur also said of Jaker, Mehedi Hasan Miraz allaying concerns
Mushfiqur Rahim on Facebook, whose selection for Tests had drawn over his fitness. The visitors won the first Test in
praising Jaker Ali Anik’s heroic 91 criticism. However, Rajin Saleh, Christchurch by eight wickets inside four days and
off 106 balls in the second innings of Jaker’s former Sylhet teammate have stuck with the same XI for the next clash
the final Test against the West Indies and the team’s current head coach, starting on Friday.
in Jamaica on Tuesday. Despite the described it as “a quite familiar
bowling unit stealing the spotlight
innings, as he often plays this kind Pakistan recall Babar for SA tour
after the Tigers secured a massive 101- Pakistan recalled former skipper Babar Azam on
of knock in the National Cricket
run win, Jaker’s valiant knock will be
etched in Bangladesh’s cricketing
League.” Wednesday for the away Test series and white-
folklore, given the stakes involved.
Jaker has already scored fifties in ball matches against South Africa starting next
each of the three Tests he has played, week, but there was no place for spinner Sajid
Playing only his third Test, the
becoming the first to achieve such a Khan. The 30-year-old star batsman Azam was
26-year-old seized the moment when
feat. Rajin believes he should have dropped following defeat in the first Test against
his team needed him most. Even as
received his Test call-up before his England in October and rested for the ongoing
partners fell at the other end, Jaker
T20I debut. limited-over series against Zimbabwe.
stood firm, helping Bangladesh level
“In my observation, Jaker Ali is
“I was 11 years old back then. firstly a good Test player, then a good Taijul Islam picked up his 15th five-wicket haul in West Indies duo fined for behaviour in
I didn’t miss a single match the series and end their 15-year wait ODI player, and lastly a T20 player,” the format and fourth abroad.
for a Test win on Caribbean soil.
Bangladesh loss
of that 2009 series. I used Rajin told The Daily Star yesterday. The 2023-25 cycle of the World Test Championship
Setting a target of 287 runs and “Doing something like this against West Indies cricketers Jayden Seales and Kevin
to stay up all night watching was Bangladesh’s best in terms of matches won. The
leaving the hosts with a record the West Indies, in the West Indies, is Tigers clinched four matches (lost eight in 12 matches) – Sinclair were both fined Wednesday for breaching
Bangladesh play. One day, my the International Cricket Council’s code of conduct
run-chase at the venue, Jaker definitely a big achievement. I think the highest in any cycle of the competition. Before this,
father woke up and found that during the second Test defeat by Bangladesh. Fast
stayed undeterred. His defiance, it was difficult for him to score runs they won a solitary match in the previous cycle.
I was watching the game. He demonstrated by clearing the bowler Seales was fined 25 percent of his match
from the position he came in. It was
just stared at me, but didn’t Windies bowlers five times over the
Bangladesh have now won three Tests in the West fee “for making aggressive gestures” towards
a pressure situation, but he stood Indies – the most they’ve won in any country. The Tigers
scold. Fifteen years later, I ropes, will linger in the memories of firm,” he added. the Bangladesh team after taking a wicket. He
am playing for Bangladesh in won two away Tests in Pakistan and Zimbabwe and one
Bangladesh fans. Regardless of whether Jaker also received one demerit point for the offence.
the same series. If Abba were each in New Zealand and Sri Lanka.
The wicketkeeper-batter scored establishes himself as “a genuine Test All-rounder Sinclair, who was not in the original
alive, he might have stayed up 62 of his team’s 75 runs on the player,” as Rajin suggested, what is Jaker Ali became the first Bangladesh player to hit XI but came on as a substitute fielder, was docked
all night watching me play. fourth day after the visitors resumed undeniable for now is that he has half-centuries in each of his first three Tests. His 91 in the
Jamaica Test was his third fifty in the format and also his 15 percent of his match fee for sledging.
Anyway, this is for you, Abba,” on 193 for five. His efforts paved shown promise in providing a crucial
career-best score. *Read full stories on The Daily Star website
The 26-year-old Jaker wrote on the way for Taijul Islam to spin the safety net to the batting order during
Facebook. Windies batters into disarray, as they moments of crisis.

SA push for WTC final

REUTERS, Gqeberha speedster Kwena Maphaka as a replace-
ment for the latter.
South Africa’s push for a place in the Whether he makes his debut remains
World Test Championship final continues to be seen, but he has a good chance with
on Thursday when they host Sri Lanka at Dane Paterson the other seamer option in
St George’s Park, where victory would be the squad. South Africa could play an extra
a giant step towards the decider at Lord’s batter as a replacement for
next year. Mulder, or go with spin-
If South Africa win ning all-rounder Senuran
the second and final Muthusamy.
Test in the series, and The first Test win had
both home fixtures several impressive individ-
against Pakistan start- ual performances. Coach
ing later this month, Shukri Conrad praised
they are guaranteed a the mentality of his side
place in the final. after they claimed a
They thumped Sri fourth Test win in a row.
Lanka by 233 runs in “We get on with
the first Test in Durban, things and what we
bowling them out for continually tell the
their test record low of guys is that they need
42 in the first innings, to be themselves on
but the wicket in Gqe- and off the field,” Con-
berha may be more to the rad said. “They’re just
visitors’ liking. a great bunch who get
Traditionally lower and on with it, they train
slower, the coastal venue hard, enjoy each oth-
provides more opportu- er’s company away
nities for spinners and from the field.”
was the scene of a historic Sri Lanka needed to im-
eight-wicket victory for Sri Lanka in prove with the bat after their woeful first
2019 when they became the only sub-con-
tinent side to win a Test series in South
Africa.
innings in Durban and did so by scoring
282 in the second.
Sri Lanka can also reach the WTC final
T20 SERIES TEEING OFF IN TEA TOWN
The hosts have lost all-rounder Wiaan but will have to win in Gqeberha and beat Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana Joty and her Irish counterpart Gaby Lewis, wearing traditional attire of tea leaves pickers, unveil the T20
Mulder and fast bowler Gerald Coetzee Australia in two home Tests starting in series trophy at the at the historic Malnichera Tea Estate in Sylhet yesterday. Having won the ODI series 3-0, the hosts will look to emulate the
to injury, and have called up 18-year-old January to stand a chance. success in the T20 series, beginning today. PHOTO: SHEIKH NASIR
 City

12 DHAKA THURSDAY DECEMBER 5, 2024, AGRAHAYAN 20, 1431 BS

Pacers lead FACEBOOK POST

Hindu temples,
Tigers to glory houses attacked
NABID YEASIN

The 101-run win over hosts West Indies in

the second and final Test in Jamaica on
in Sunamganj
Tuesday was the fitting way for Bangladesh OUR CORRESPONDENT, Sylhet
to close out the 2023-2025 World Test
Championship (WTC) cycle -- the best one At least two temples were ransacked and
the Tigers experienced to date. “many” homes and shops of the Hindu
And, while there have been sporadic people were vandalised at a remote village
flashes of brilliance coming from batters, in Dowarabazar upazila of Sunamganj on
bowlers or fielders, the one department Tuesday night, said locals.
that often set the tone in most of the Officials said they were yet to assess
recent wins in the longest format is the how many properties had been damaged.
Tigers’ pace unit. A mob attacked Manglargaon village
The convincing victory not only saw after local Muslims said a 21-year-old
Bangladesh bounce back to draw the Hindu man posted an image on Facebook
two-match series but also marked the around 7:40pm that hurt their religious
Tigers’ first win in the Caribbean in 15 feelings, said Zahidul Haque, officer-in-
years. charge of Dowarabazar Police Station.
It was also the third away Test win for “As locals demonstrated, saying that
Bangladesh this year and the first time they were outraged by the Facebook post,
that they managed to win a total of four we took the man in custody for his safety.
Tests in a single WTC cycle. The mob attacked our team and tried
In fact, in the previous two WTC to snatch him. They then vandalised
cycles, Bangladesh managed to win just a the man and several others’ houses and
solitary game -- a historic victory against shops owned by Hindu people,” he said.
New Zealand at Mount Maunganui in Later, army personnel arrived at the
the second cycle (2021-2023) after going spot and they along with local, political,
winless in their first WTC foray between and Islamist leaders calmed the situation,
2019-2021. he added.
Winning a Test requires a team Khokan Roy, general secretary of
to possess the ability to scalp the Kendriyo Loknath Mandir in Sunamganj
opposition’s 20 wickets – a reality town, said, “The mob ransacked a Loknath
that haunted the Tigers for a long Bangladesh’s stand-in skipper Mehedi Hasan Miraz takes a selfie with teammates after their 101-run win over hosts West Indies in the second temple and stole valuables worth over Tk
time. However, with the core group of Test at Sabina Park in Jamaica on Tuesday. Having suffered a 201-run hammering in the first Test in Antigua, the Tigers bounced back to level 15 lakh. They also vandalised almost 100
SEE PAGE 6COL 1 the two-match series 1-1. PHOTO: FACEBOOK SEE PAGE 6 COL 4

Banks were Over 700 escaped Rejoinder,

our reply
MPs begin push 12 remanded
in cases over
considered ‘the to impeach South
best place to rob’ prisoners still Jatiya Nagorik Committee
sent a rejoinder to our
violence at
Ctg court
BB governor tells NYT at large
report titled “Nagorik
Committee members
split over ex-Shibir leader
Korean president STAFF CORRESPONDENT, Ctg
joining,” published on AFP, Seoul
about 15-year AL rule November 26, saying the A Chattogram court
STAR REPORT
Militants, death row convicts among report was a one-sided South Korean lawmakers yesterday accused yesterday placed 12 accused
portrayal and appeared President Yoon Suk Yeol of declaring martial law on a six-day remand in
Ahsan H Mansur
them, says IG prisons to align with the divisive to stop criminal investigations into himself and his two cases over attacking
tendency to stigmatise family, as they kickstarted a push to impeach him. police and obstructing
has said he never STAFF CORRESPONDENT their duties during violent
witnessed “any individuals. Yoon’s declaration of South Korea’s first martial
The rejoinder said as law in over four decades was swiftly overturned by protests over a former
country where More than 700 inmates, including death row convicts and militants, ISKCON leader’s arrest.
the highest a democratic platform, lawmakers in a night of drama, but has plunged the
remain at large around three months after they escaped from Additional Chief
level of the they follow a transparent country into political turmoil and alarmed its close
different prisons during and after the July-August mass uprising. Metropolitan Magistrate
government, process for each and allies.
More than 2,200 prisoners escaped on and after August 5, Sarker Hasan Shahriar
engineering with every decision they make The future of Yoon, a
and around 1,500 have so far been rearrested, said Brig Gen Syed including the inclusion passed the order after
the help of some goons,” managed “the conservative politician and
Mohammad Motaher Hossain, inspector general of prisons, during of any member, which Kotwali police sought
systematic robbing of the banks”. former star public prosecutor
a press briefing at Prisons Headquarters yesterday. naturally involves differing seven days to grill the
who was elected president
“The highest level of political authority The escaped prisoners suspects in custody, said
opinions. in 2022, now looks highly
realized that the banks are the best place include 70 militants, death Mofizur Uddin, additional
“Singling out one uncertain.
to rob,” the Bangladesh Bank governor row convicts, and individuals deputy commissioner of
The escaped individual while After jumping fences and
told The New York Times in an article accused in sensational Chattogram Metropolitan
emphasising their past tussling with security forces
titled “How a Country’s Economy Was cases, he said, adding that prisoners include involvement with Islami Police.
to get into parliament and Yoon Suk Yeol
Siphoned Dry”. efforts to recapture them are 70 militants, death Chhatra Shibir unfairly vote down the martial law The 12 accused are Joy
Bangladesh’s currency was battered underway, he added. row convicts, and perpetuates a divisive Nath, Rumit Das, Nayan
overnight, South Korea’s opposition lawmakers
by what the new head of the central bank In response to a query, Das, Gagan Das, Sumit
says was the looting of the banks under Motaher identified 17 out
individuals accused narrative and undermines have filed a motion to impeach Yoon.
their right to engage in The motion says Yoon “gravely and extensively Das, Aman Das, Bishal
deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s of 69 prisons across the in sensational cases Das, Sonu Methor, Suman
politics. Not only that, violated the constitution and the law” and
Awami League government. country as at risk of collapse this report attempts accuses him of imposing martial law “with the Das, Rajesh Das, Durlav
Mansur calculates that about $17 since these are very old with to propagate a divisive unconstitutional and illegal intent to evade Das, and Ajay Sutradhar
billion was siphoned from the country’s vulnerable infrastructure. narrative and undermines imminent investigations... into alleged illegal acts Chowdhury. They were
financial system in the 15 years before the The government is aware of this issue, and the process of rebuilding an individual’s right to involving himself and his family”. produced before the court
fall of the Hasina regime. some of these prisons is already underway, he said. engage in politics,” it said. Lawmakers could vote on the motion as soon amid tight security in the
Using a web of financial schemes, Since August 5, as many as 174 prisoners linked to militant outfits, Besides, the rejoinder as the early hours of Friday morning and Yoon’s morning.
Mansur said, the perpetrators in the including JMB, and 11 top criminals have been released on bail, the IG said that there was no prospects look bleak. On Monday, a local
government and at some of the country’s prisons said in response to another query agenda regarding the The opposition holds a large majority in the court granted police a
biggest companies pulled off what was “The release of prisoners is entirely under the jurisdiction of the inclusion of any members 300-member parliament and needs only a handful seven-day remand of eight
“effectively the largest bank heist in the court,” he said. in the general meeting of defections from the president’s party to secure others accused in another
history of money”. “Whole boards were Motaher said they have implemented a series of reformative organised on November the two-thirds majority needed to pass the motion. case of attacking the police
hijacked,” said the governor. measures to improve conditions at prisons, including better meals 22, let alone any vehement The main opposition Democratic Party has and obstructing their duty.
SEE PAGE 6 COL 3 SEE PAGE 6 COL 6 SEE PAGE 6 COL 6 SEE PAGE 6 COL 3 SEE PAGE 6 COL 3

UNIVERSITIES, COLLEGES MASS UPRISING

Student leaders Amu, Qamrul

shown arrested
for council polls in genocide case
by early Feb ICT sends them to jail
STAFF CORRESPONDENT

Students Against Discrimination and 29 other student

organisations have agreed on demanding elections to
student councils at universities and colleges across the
country by late January or early February.
The decision was announced last night following a
meeting between Students Against Discrimination and
other student organisations at the former’s office in the
capital’s Bangla Motor area.
DU CORRESPONDENT
“We have reached an agreement that elections to
student councils at all universities and colleges, including
Former Awami League ministers Amir
Ducsu, should be held by the last week of January or the
Hossain Amu and Qamrul Islam have
first week of February,” Hasnat Abdullah, convener of the
been shown arrested in a case filed at
Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, told reporters.
the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)
The platform’s nine-point demand include banning
over their involvement in crimes against
partisan student politics on campuses.
humanity and genocide during the July
“For over a decade, campuses were dominated by
uprising.
Chhatra League through a type of authoritarian political
The three-member ICT bench, led by
culture. This created a sense of fear among a generation
Justice Golam Mortuza Mazumder, sent
about student politics. Also, debates have surfaced across
the two to jail after they were produced
educational institutions since August 5 about whether to
before it yesterday.
allow student politics and in what form,” Hasnat said.
The court also asked the authorities
He said the student leaders agreed to address the
concerned to bring Amu and Qamrul
negative aspects of past politics and reform them to Polythene bags, which were used for packaging chemicals, are being washed in the Buriganga, polluting the river. These bags before it on December 17.
SEE PAGE 6 COL 4 will be recycled. The photo was taken in the capital’s Islambagh area recently. PHOTO: RASHED SHUMON SEE PAGE 6 COL 1