Re: The Pledge to the Student-People Must be Upheld
Dear Honorable Chief Adviser,
You had accepted the responsibility of steering the nation at a very crucial historic transition and national aspirations. The people of Bangladesh were extremely fortunate that a great son of the soil, a Nobel Laureate and a globally admired personality came forward to accept the challenge of the moment.
From day one, you continued to acknowledge your pledge to the student-people, thereby the whole nation, that you would continue to uphold that sacred responsibility entrusted on you and would not deviate by any measure from it. Indeed, you have tirelessly engaged yourself in accomplishing that task since. Advisor Syeda Rizwana Hassan and other top leaders of your administration echoed your commitments to the public on umpteen occasions, further elaborating that it was not power but three major responsibilities your administration was pledge-bound to the nation, such as, 1) speedy trial of the murderers during the July-August Revolution and other times; 2) completion of the much-needed reforms; and then 3) holding a credible election. They also implied that only after the completion of the first two, the third task, i.e. election, could be held.
There is marked improvements in almost every sector. The law-and-order situation is better, independent judicial process speeded up, politics is free, discipline restored in the financial markets, positive efforts in retrieving the siphoned and looted money. Many political and non-political leaders, including top level and respected leaders, are free from illegal and unfair judicial dispensations and tangles, some even from the dark death cells and the so-called “Ayna Ghor.” Your international image and charisma enhanced the respect for Bangladesh, opened doors for diplomatic, business and economic benefits. Above all, the nation is free from the worst repressive fascism of the past.
However, the country is not trouble free yet. Some hostile local and outside elements, obviously induced and instigated by the defeated forces and their backers, have been engaged in preventing, creating hurdles or derailing your various national and people-oriented activities that include reforms and bringing the past criminals to justice. I would like to mention below a few important areas:
First, some quarters are bent on denying the sacrifice and achievement of the July-August Revolution. Despite repeated urging from the nation, the Revolutionary Declaration (বিপ্লব সনদ) could not yet be issued, even though your administration has been trying to do so for months. Denying the Revolution, which ousted the marauding and looting fascists amounts to betrayal to the nation. However, it is a great pleasure to learn that the much-delayed Declaration will be made public by August 5 next.
Second, many high level leaders/agents of the fallen fascist regime are still overtly and covertly active in politics, administration, military, law-enforcing agencies and in various fabrics of the society. There is no dearth of evidence, from day one, of their conspiracies against the efforts of your Interim Administration. Unless those proven agents are removed/neutralized, the nation is not safe. Any softness or compromise towards such characters may invite disasters.
Third, completion of much needed reforms. Needless to mention that during the past Awami regimes–Mujib to Hasina–the administration was largely geared to serve the interests of individuals, family and the party, resulting in a corruption ridden fabric in almost every sphere of governance and life. Cleansing these practices from the system is not an easy task. Your administration has already undertaken many far-reaching remedial measures to fix the anomalies. But, much more needs to be done. Unfortunately, the hostile elements keep creating hurdles at almost every step. Here again, no compromise with national or peoples’ interests may be allowed; otherwise, the whole process will be totally self-defeating.
Fourth, bringing the killers and looters to book. From day one, you continued to assure the nation that you would bring the killers and looters to justice at any cost. The nation is gratified to know that the judicial process towards that goal has already begun. It is, however, understandable that due to the lack of the requisite number of qualified and able investigators, prosecutors and judges, the process is somewhat slow. It must be expedited; otherwise, the completion of verdicts, after due process of appeal, may drag for years. One must remember that if the national election is held before the verdicts are effectively implemented, the process may stall or even proceed on a reverse gear under the subsequent government. Such a situation will lead to a terrible disaster. Your hard-earned accomplishments will then not only be erased but the country will likely return to the former state of fascism.
This certainly implies that the much-needed reforms and punishment to the criminals must precede the national election. Leaving the reforms and process of justice incomplete will be an extreme disappointment to the people, to the extent of betrayal to them. However credible the next election is, this disappointment will continue to haunt them and they will never exonerate this serious lapse.
Honorable Chief Advisor, you are pledge-bound to the student-people, thereby the nation, and not to any party or group, which may have their vested interests in mind. It is definitely good to try to forge a “National Unity,” but such consensus should not be mortgaged under vested interests. To me, Dear Sir, in the present context, nobody better understands what is good for the country and the people than yourself. As such, like the Western saying: Let the dogs bark, the caravan must proceed (to its destination).
Honorable Sir, you have been untiringly working for the overall good of the country and its people. Continue the good works; no need to listen to irrelevant vested opinions. When you work for the benefit of the people, the opposing elements will face public wrath. People do not want you to leave before accomplishing your tasks mandated by the nation in August 2024. In fact, the vast majority of the people want you to continue working for the country as long as you are able to.
May Allah grant you a long life!
May Allah help us!
With respectful Salaam,
Rashed Chowdhury,
a humble patriot.