The General in his Labyrinth

(Originally published in The Dhaka Tribune in 2021)

Like many other Bangladeshis, I initially watched the Al Jazeera investigation focusing on Gen Aziz and his family with shock and horror. His efforts on behalf of his brothers suggested that the corruption that is endemic in Bangladesh is at its strongest at the highest echelons of society.

Following that initial reaction, however, once my initial outrage had passed, I had time to think about this matter more objectively; objectivity that gave way to compassion. In our rush to judgment about Gen Aziz, we may be overlooking how this case, potentially criminal as it may be, is not as easily slotted into existing categories of corrupt conduct.

Had the considerable efforts Gen Aziz put into securing a false passport and setting up of business fronts abroad had simply been to enrich himself, I would have little sympathy for him, but the potential offenses in this case were motivated by Gen Aziz’s desire to protect his brothers.

None of us is perfect, and we all have a case or two in our families of individuals becoming derailed or seeking a path in life that they should not have, whether by choice or misfortune.

When this happens it is difficult to harden our hearts and forget our siblings, or sons or daughters and abandon them to the vicissitudes of fate, saying "they are suffering karma-fal" and must learn their lessons. 

At the age of seventy-three, I have brothers and sisters and children and grandchildren. Should one of them go astray in life as did Gen Aziz’s brothers, I suspect that I too would likely seek every means at my disposal to save them. It is a familial instinct that comes naturally to me as I suspect does to many others as well.

The report from Al Jazeera does not make it clear if Gen Aziz’s parents are still alive, and if they are perhaps they are so enfeebled by age that Gen Aziz (although not the eldest of the brothers) has assumed the role of protector in the family, and feels the need to shield his brothers even though they are a menace to society.

As to why they turned out the way they did, we do not have any clear answers. It may lie in the fact that they had a hard and destitute upbringing, or in some innate weakness of character that is incorrigible. What I do know is that in life we are often the victim of circumstance, and these circumstances force our actions, whether good or otherwise.

While I don’t know if Gen Aziz is pained by his brothers’ downfall, it is clear that he is motivated by love for siblings who come from the same mother. What stress and anguish Gen Aziz must have felt as he racked his brains on what he could do to save his brothers.

There are few of us who have not experienced these feelings ourselves. The brotherly urge that prompted Gen Aziz to do whatever was possible on his part only looks natural and sensible from his point of view. The difference is that Gen Aziz, given his place and power in society, could take meaningful actions to save his brothers, and it is here I think where much of our outrage and anger originates, in the inherent inequity of the situation, and that is entirely understandable.

Capital punishment cannot and will not prevent crime in society. Life imprisonment to recognize and realize the implication of bad deed seems a better means. I only hope and pray that there will be a peaceful solution to this unfortunate situation.

The Heavy Onus of Honesty

(Originally published in The Daily Star, 1998)

The bread of labour is sweet, and poverty resulting from honest earning is a rare pride. This kind of pride does not harm others and is also not harmful to society; rather, it makes it easier for a person with a good conscience to shed greed. Honesty is an impregnable shield that withstands the onslaught of material gains and worldly temptations. It is a weapon that blunts the instinct to acquire wealth through corruption. Contentment can be achieved through self-discipline and inculcating honesty as a way of life.

Much can be said about honesty, for it is an issue that should govern every action of a man or woman in life. Every person—rich or poor, of high or low position—should adopt honesty in discharging their duties to others. It is honesty that makes one brave. It provides that unique strength that makes both life and death meaningful and honourable. The other name of honesty is to be dutiful towards one’s job—whether public or private. It is an unending process because honesty is not a matter to be practiced in piecemeal.

In every sphere of our national life, dishonesty reigns supreme. Dishonesty breeds corruption. Corruption has now gripped our bureaucracy, starting from a peon to the secretary and minister. The judiciary is also not immune from corruption. Nothing moves unless kickbacks are paid. Very few have commitment to the people and society. Most of the bureaucrats abuse their official power for personal gains at the cost of the state.

On February 13, 1998, I attended the Annual General Meeting that was to be followed by a dinner of the BCS (Taxation) Service Association. I had no prior knowledge about the function and sumptuous dinner. But I must thank the officials of the association who rightly chose a person like Mr. Abdul Hannan, Chairman of the Board of Revenue and IRD, as the Chief Guest. His presence gave grace, meaning, and weight to the occasion. The brief speech delivered by him was a piece of valuable sermon and a solution to all the maladies we are suffering from. His speech was without ornamentation and rhetoric, which we often experience while listening to the speech of Chief Guests in social and official functions.

Mr. Hannan is well known as an honest officer throughout his service career. Ironically, this very honest officer was once arrested for corruption and was in jail for eleven days. What a travesty of the process of law and justice! His imprisonment never deterred his determination to cling to honesty as the most important guiding factor of his life, both in and out of government office. He never compromised with corruption and remained undaunted in leading an honest life. He has been rightly rewarded for his honest service to the government and has reached the highest echelon of his career.

In his speech, he said that he would not get an opportunity to speak before such a huge gathering in his office again because of his impending retirement. Throughout his service, he said, he was flabbergasted and bothered by illegal “Tadbirs” (unfair requests) from vested quarters. He entreated upon the Tax Officials to not entertain such bad tadbirs from any quarter. He also explained the importance of the types of good tadbirs that should be considered and granted, such as the quick processing of pensions, sanction of medical leave and disposal of disciplinary cases.

He claimed that 95% of government officials were corrupt and lamented that he had to work with them per force even while cautioning them that they should remain alert about their children, who would comprise the next generation. If they, he warned, would go corrupt, the nation would be ruined beyond repair.

In this connection, he recalled an incident from his childhood that inspired him and guided his adult life. He mentioned the teachings and lifestyle of great people like Prophet Mohammed (SM), Hazrat Ali, Hazrat Hasan, and Hossain. He narrated that his parents were not people of great religious faith, but his mother gave him a book to read that was entitled Pak Panjatan, which contained the life stories of the saints mentioned earlier. Their lives and ideals greatly influenced him to lead a simple and honest life. He also cited the life and teachings of Mahatma Gandhi as a reference.

I listened to him with rapt attention, and I quite agreed with him as many others would do. But I feel that he missed one point—to mention specifically that our public servants often forget that they are to serve the public and that they are recruited for that purpose only. The Government servants, he continued, should not waste a single moment in disposing of routine cases. Cases on policy matters could be delayed for reasonable periods for obvious reasons. It sounded logical and proper to me.

A few days ago, a Bangladeshi gentleman told me about his experience in a government office in the USA. He had to go to the Department of Agriculture in Washington DC for certain information regarding his business. He was surprised to see that in no time two very high officials appeared before him to render all support and assistance. This should be the right attitude of any public servant.

We cannot claim ourselves to be human beings by compromising human values. What could be a finer human value than imbibing in oneself the value of honesty, which includes truthfulness, sincerity, and commitment towards one’s private and public duties? Private duties, in my opinion, include duties towards family, while public duties are those that involve society and the nation.

One should be more particular about discharging their duties towards the public because they are paid by the Government from the public exchequer. Therefore, the public are the legitimate recipients of their services. The service rendered by a government servant is no gratis or favor in any way. Our government servants, whether they are clerks or secretaries, think and shamelessly demonstrate higher actions in a manner that runs counter to the meaning of duty.

In our country there is little scope to get a legitimate request completed legally as a matter of right. When such a request is completed by a government official in exchange for a bribe, it is considered mercy. Departments like judiciary and education are also now cited as the most corrupt departments. The symbol of a blinded woman with a scale in her hand no longer carries the profound meaning it used to.

Mr. Hannan definitely deserves special mention for his honest and sincere service. I have known him since 1973. While writing this article, I came to know that Mr. Hannan had suddenly decided to relinquish his duties 47 days before his contractual service for one year with the government.

In his speech, he had mentioned that he would be doing social work after his contractual service expired on April 3, 1998. I do not know if there was any compelling situation that prompted him to take such a hasty decision. He never expressed anything like that in his speech.

I shall conclude by saying that the onus of honesty is heavy and hence difficult. May Allah give him strength to shoulder the burden as gracefully as before.

Peace is the Offspring of Justice

(Originally published online in 2013)

The instant assembly of the young generation at Shahbag was in response to the verdict of the ICT trial of Abdul Quader Mollah. Quader Mollah was sentenced to life imprisonment on 5 February 2013 despite the fact that the court found five of the six counts of charges for crimes against humanity proved. The prescribed highest punishment for the proved offences is death by hanging.

The findings of the court did not match the degree of punishment. Therefore it can be said that either the findings were wrong or the sentence was lenient. The young generation saw the sentencing as collusion between the ruling party and the Jamat-e-Islam for long-term political gain in the ensuing election. The intention of the ruling party became clear and the young generation had no alternative but to demand capital punishment. The demand gained momentum and attracted support of the common people and thus a heinous design of the government was compromised. The government had to move away from such a conspiracy of forming the next government in the coming election by comforting Jamaat.

Occupy Shahbag movement is definitely an outcome of the political vacuum created recently due to differences between the two major political parties. The trust of the common people in both the major political parties is fast fading.  The apple of discord is the caretaker government issue. The government has obtained a verdict from the highest court of the country to do away with the caretaker government. There are many controversies regarding the verdict. But the fact is that, an issue affecting the constitution and the political culture should have been resolved through a referendum. Referendum is an accepted democratic practice which could have resolved the issue. The court is not an alternative platform for the judgment of public opinion. The public had no participation in the decision making. On the other hand the public was gagged on this issue due to fears of contempt and accusations of treason.  

Occupy Shahbag movement can be likened to many other similar movements that have occurred around the world in recent years. The Shahbag movement was started by a community of bloggers who come from well-to-do families owning computers and social network gadgets. All of them are literate and young. They want change. The change that is necessary. People have predicted that this movement will become a 3rd force. The Shahbag movement could be one if it was allowed to move in its own direction. Some activities of this movement now seem misguided or misdirected, infiltrated by political elements and several organizations. Attacks on Islamic Banks and Islamic institutions, call for boycott of some groups, labeling people as Razakars or Patriots are all ominous signs of religious persecution. This movement has called for banning Jamaat e Islami and its subsidiary student and other organizations. This movement has given an ultimatum to the court to issue guilty verdict and sentencing to death. 

Religion is the greatest binding force for people. This is a historical truth. Bangladesh is bound by this faith.  Despite being a Muslim majority all the minority communities had been living in peace and harmony. But the division created by the controversy of trials will take a long time to heal. Every one wants justice. This justice must not only be delivered, but must be seen to be delivered justly. Even in the Koran, the provision for forgiveness exists. We would do well to consider that as a peaceful alternative outcome to the current eye for an eye politics being practiced by all sides.

The trial process has seen many pitfalls. Although the tribunal has been named as International Crimes Tribunal, it has not allowed international lawyers to defend the accused though the honourable judge of the court had taken aid of international counsels. The Skype disclosure clearly reflects on the poor merit of the cases. Supreme judicial council is being formed to impeach an honourable Justice of the High Court for circulating published material among his colleagues while another judge has been exonerated despite accusations by the defence of violating the code of conduct by disclosing proceedings and merit of the case to unauthorized persons. The Law has been amended after the verdict to give retrospective effects to some provisions so that the accused does not get a benefit of doubt. The Law has also been amended for disposal of appeal in 60 days so that the sentence can be executed without further scope to the accused. There are thousands of appeals pending for disposal in other cases for years. The Government has not amended the law for their disposal in 60 days. If justice cannot be done in 60 days in those cases how can justice be done in the ICT cases in 60 days? Is not everybody entitled to justice equally under the constitution? If a law is amended after the trial shouldn’t the accused get an opportunity of retrial under the amended law? Can we say that we will see justice delivered?

The Shahbag movement has declared that they will not withdraw until the court sentences all the accused to death. In the face of the movement the Government has made several amendments to the law. Didn’t it influence the court? Was not the verdict in Moulana Delwar Hossain Sayeedis case a reflection of demands outside the court?  If the court had postponed the delivery of the judgment until the dispersal of the Shahbag assembly, it would have been seen to have delivered the judgment without outside influence. Even hearing of the appeal of Mr. Quader  Molla's case amidst continued movement in Shahbag and elsewhere may hamper the due process of law and will not serve justice.

Trial of the Jamaat will not ensure any justice. Though there is provision for eye for eye and life for life, there is also provision for forgiveness. Enough blood money has been extracted from the Jamaat. Both Awami League and BNP enjoyed their support as and when necessary. Ways must be found out for peaceful co-existence. Peace can come through proper justice. For peace is the offspring of justice. Politicians must find out ways to integrate communities of all ideologies into a society that has been built by the direct sacrifices of 3 million people and by the endurance of the country. The country badly feels the absence of the father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at this critical time, as he could give the nation the right direction to us

War crimes are a national issue. They are not the property of a single party. War crimes trials should be resolved with the participation of all the people in a democratic way through a referendum or by a dialogue. We have to think of consequences at home and abroad. The delivery of the judgment of Moulana Delwar Hossain Sayeedee's case on 28/2/2013 in the midst of ongoing movement in Shahbag has sparked many controversies and given rise to divisions and violence, insecurity to minorities and opportunities to miscreants.

It is the duty of the government to protect its citizens, be they minority or majority. The miscreants have taken opportunities to harass the minorities. It is our duty to protect them and punish those who have endangered their lives and looted their properties.  Likewise we should not forget the brutal retaliatory persecution of the Biharis that took place in the early days of Independence in Bangladesh. The melee following the long hartal after Sayeedi's verdict has seen many deaths – over 100 in 2 days—that included policemen, children and adults alike. Yet deaths also occurred when miscreants attacked Islamic Banks, ATMS, Jamaat establishments and so on. The Government cannot look the other way in these matters. Every citizen is its subject. Every ones property and life must be protected. The nation needs to rid itself of all the stigmas. The trial of the Father of the Nation’s killers has definitely eradicated a plague. The crimes against humanity must be tried. Similarly all other injustices and scandals must be remedied. Government should not use the issues of 1971 to mask its failures and injustice. The list of such issues is quite long. The Grenade attack, BDR Carnage, the Padma graft, the Suranjit case, Biswajit, Limon, Operation Clean Heart, the abuses of 1/11 are some that will surely come up.