[chottala.com] Freedom for Independent Bangladesh

Freedom for Independent Bangladesh

Major Faruk Ahmed (Retd)

 Introduction

Bangladesh has been achieved by sacrificing blood of millions through a national armed struggle in 1971. Though we have apparently achieved Independence, our nation is yet to attain freedom from the shackles of misrule, poverty, corruption, violation of democracy and human rights. In spite of claiming to be independent; our dependence on other countries for technology and necessary commodities has made us an import-dependent nation.

People are being treated by ruling regimes as experienced during colonial period.  Repression on the people by ruling authority has surpassed the previous record under West Pakistani rulers. Killings and disappearances in the hands of govt agencies and political rivals, rape, torture, exploitation, deprivation of justice and freedom of speech etc are so rampant that most of the people live under intimidation. More than 80% of the population lives in abject poverty, millions are unemployed, back dated education system lacking skill development training – is one of the fundamental problems.

Country is almost fully dependent on foreign goods, vehicles, machineries and aids. Corruption is institutionalized in every sector. National interests are surrendered to hegemonic powers. Country is incapable of pursuing independent foreign policy due to weakness of the ruling regimes. Top political party leaders are seemingly in competition of surrendering everything to India in order to get blessings of India.

Due to foreign-sponsored terrorism and violence; our National security and sovereignty is under threat. As a whole, Bangladesh is facing a real challenge of existence as a sovereign country.

Based on above, it is essential for us to assess how far our spirit of the War of Independence has been achieved and what programme is needed for real freedom.

This paper will endeavour to briefly highlight followings:

a.   What were the spirits of the nation in the Liberation War?

b.   Major hindrances in materializing Independence.

c.   Programmes needed to achieve real freedom-25 points.

 
What were the spirits of the nation in the Liberation War?

a.   Achieving self-determination and establishment of democracy. People wanted to manage own state of affairs independently as a sovereign nation and establish rule of democracy.

b.   Achieving freedom. Due to injustice, economic deprivation and cultural domination, people wanted freedom by followings:

(1)  Establishment of justice and equality.

(2)  Achieving economic development.

(3)  Achieving cultural freedom.

Major hindrances in materializing Independence

a.   Leadership Crisis. Nation is seriously facing a 'sense of direction' from our political leadership. Our leaders have miserably failed to prove that they are better than those of pre-Independence West-Pakistani rulers. Capturing and sticking to power is the only mission and vision with which added the motive of acquiring billions of Taka by corruption. They could deliver a very little to the nation. None of the political parties has ousted those known corrupt and criminal godfathers from the central committee. As a result, in most of the cases; voters have no option other than voting any one of those criminals nominated by the concerned political parties.

The leadership qualities that we expect to see such as- patriotism with strategic vision and mission, dedication to the socio-economic development; ruthless to corruption, terrorism and violence; strong administrative skills, forcefulness to establish rule of law, having perception of threats to national security, respect to human rights and freedom of speech, respect to democratic norms and values, knowledge of the world affairs and regional politics, a sense of belongingness to all citizens of the country irrespective of own party affiliation, diplomatic skills and forcefulness in dealing with matters of national interests, having interest in achieving self-reliance in science and technology, dedication to ensure welfare of citizens, leading the nation in comparison to other developed nations and a strong personality to unite the nation based on national issues etc. are seldom visible among most of the top leadership of the country.

The leadership qualities of patriotism, awareness for national defence and security, motivation for national unity, respect for multi-party democracy and freedom of speech, drive for development, diplomatic ability and farsighted vision regarding regional politics displayed by Martyred President Zia is exceptional.

b.   Misrule and injustice. Since Independence, misrule and injustice have become writings of forehead of our nation. During 1972-1975, it was a reign of tyranny and corruption in which around 34000 opposition activists were murdered by the infamous Rakkhi Bahini of Awami Govt. Nation experienced demise of democracy in the hands of Sheikh Mujib as he banned all political parties including Awami League and established one-party rule of BAKSAL.

c.   Massive Corruption. It is not the general people but for the uncontrolled corruption committed by ruling party elites, Bangladesh earned the title of 'Number 1 Corrupt Country in the World' thrice. Corruption in Padma Bridge Project, looting of Share Market twice, corruption in Railway, corruption in Destiny Group and looting of thousand crores of Taka from Sonali Bank etc are the few examples of how the country's fate is looted by a few criminals under the patronization of ruling regimes.

d.   Surrender of national interests. Awami League Govt signed various overt and secret treaties with India leasing country's vital assets such as sea-ports, river ports, roads and railways etc as corridor to India at the peril of our economic and security interests including national sovereignty. One-tenth portion of the country (CHTs) has been handed over to India-trained terrorist group (PCJSS) which has conducted racial mass murder in CHTs. Political leaders such as HM Ershad, Chairman of Jatiyo Party, declares in India that how much water of Teesta River has been given to Bangladesh – is not a factor at all; Bangladesh needs a treaty only. All these demonstrate how our ruling regimes have surrendered our national interests and how the opposition parties performed their roles as mere silent spectators letting all these grave loss to happen.

Programmes needed to achieve real freedom- 25 Points

As has been briefly described above, that the people of this land suffered economic deprivation, cultural subjugation and their democratic right was violated by West Pakistani rulers. The brutal massacre of 25th March 1971 conducted by West Pakistani military forced us to resist and go for separation. But our spirit of Independence has not been fulfilled yet due to hegemonic behavior and threats posed by our neighbor including misrule, corruption and human rights violations being committed by own regimes in power. The country is ruled by the fortunate 1% not according to the desire of the 99% population who are subjugated, deceived, deprived and sucked.

The nation desperately needs freedom from all these injustice, backwardness and foreign domination which can be achieved by followings:

a.   Protection of national security and sovereignty.

b.   Institutionalization of democracy.

c.   Emancipation from poverty, unemployment and backwardness.

d.   Establishing rule of law and equality.

e.   Preservation of Human Rights by ending extra-judicial killings and torture.

f.     Ensuring freedom of speech and organization.

g.   Ending corruption.

h.   Rooting out terrorism and violence.

i.     Preservation and development of own national culture.

j.     Ensuring freedom of religion and ending discrimination among citizens based on religion, ethnicity or political affiliation.

k.    Pursuing independent foreign policy and maintenance of national interest.

l.     Coming out of anti-state treaties and MOUs signed openly and secretly.

m. Ensuring due share of international river waters.

n.   Achieving self-reliance in technology through research and development.

o.   Modernizing education system to world standard and introducing skill-development training.

p.   Protection and preservation of environment.

q.   Protection, preservation and best utilization of natural resources.

r.     Enhancing international trade, tourism and communication.

s.   Ensuring uninterrupted gas and electricity.

t.     Improving road, rail and waterway communication.

u.   Ensuring employment of all youths and export of skilled labours.

v.   Patriotic and able leadership for establishing rule of law.

w.  Achieving national unity based on national issues.

x.   Strengthening of national defence and security.

y.   Propagation of patriotism.

As these programmes are self-explanatory; as such, description is avoided. But we need to formulate a comprehensive plan to implement these programmes of national interests if we want to achieve real freedom. Such programmes need to be identified jointly by the ruling regime and the opposition to take the country forward.

Conclusion

We have to realize the external threats our nation facing today. Defending our national security and sovereignty should be the prime objective of today's national politics.We need to identify the hindrances we face in materializing the Independence and overcome those. We also need to identify the measures needed to achieve real freedom and take appropriate measures to accomplish those.

So long we fail in placing our motherland above any party or individual interest; spirit of Independence will never be accomplished and real freedom will remain a dream for ever.It is only our love and commitment to our people and the country that can overcome all problems our nation is facing today.

Writer: Major Faruk Ahmed (Retd)
Email: farukbd5@yahoo.com

http://www.voiceofbangladesh.info/details_all.php?id=188&table_name=essays&writer_id=43

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