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Bangabandhu to Khaleda Zia

21 June 2005, 18:00 PM
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
By Jewel Ahmed, Basabo, Dhaka
21 June 2005, 18:00 PM
I was very young during the first Awami League rule from 1972 to 1975. I did not understand politics much but I understood that the people were very much frustrated with the corruption, nepotism and political torture by the AL. When Bangabandhu was killed, I found many mourning his death, but at the same time they were happy because AL rule was over. Later, Zia emerged and people welcomed him. Already people knew Zia as a freedom fighter who had created an honest image of himself.

Now, when I compare the situation of 1972-1975 with the present political condition I find that the situation has worsened very much under BNP-Jamaat rule. The government is now intervening in the personal life of a former President. Every day we see in the media the helpless face of Bidisha. Like the Rakkhi Bahini, RAB is being used to attain political goals. The ruling party cadres are not allowing holding of chehlum of a deceased person. The ruling party leaders are being charge-sheeted for killing opposition MP. Who should I blame? Jamaat or the young Turks of the BNP?

During 1972-1975, some people became very rich. Now, under the current regime thousands of people have become rich while at the same time millions have become poorer. Even the government statistics confirms growing inequality in the income distribution. Prices of essentials are rising and consequently real income of the majority is going down.

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The present regime is dreaming of another term. They know that many new rich people are behind them. What kind of Bangladesh will be under an alliance rule in the next 5 years? Will it be another Indonesia under Suharto? Or will it be completely different, surpassing the corrupt and family based Marcos regime? only time will tell.