Bidisha's fate

. PHOTO: AFP

I feel sad because of the play by vested political quarters which, my good guess, is going against the democratic process in the country.

H.M. Ershad's whirlwind marriage with Bidisha had sent waves at the time. The birth of his son (!) was another news maker.

Once again the couple is in the headlines; only this time it is supposed to be political in nature. Since when did Bidisha become interested in politics? Or for that matter, why is Ershad keen to end his marriage? And going public about his domestic affairs? Everyone is aware of the kind of reputation he has!

One would feel inclined to sympathise with Bidisha for all the harassment she had to suffer. But there is no doubt that both are very good in acting. They would make a great screen couple!!

Rahat Nilofer On e-mail

Arrest of Bidisha Ershad shows how the law is manipulated to suit the interest of the government of the day. First, she was arrested because Ershad filed a complaint with police. Now the passport forgery i.e. discrepancies in date of birth. Can these be reason enough for arresting a person?

Mohammed Syed Khan On e-mail

It is really shocking to read stories of Ershad's wife (former!) Bidisha. Bidisha was seriously ill and was being treated in the hospital when she was arrested. All the stories regarding Bidisha pointed toward the ruling alliance's involvement in the episode. Especially, there is widespread rumour of the direct involvement of the second most important person in the government.

It seems that Ershad was forced to do what he did in the last few days. However, I do not have any sympathy for Ershad since he did not hesitate to sacrifice his wife and future of his child for the sake of his own survival. Once again Ershad showed his true character.

It seems that the ruling alliance is planning to do everything, moral or immoral, to ensure their victory in the next general elections. They have two thirds majority in the parliament but still are afraid of losing the elections. It seems that the ruling alliance did not hesitate to destroy the former president's family life. There are reports that they forced Awami League MPs to join the ruling party.

I feel sorry for the little son of Ershad. Certainly, he will be deprived of motherly affection. He is a victim of cruel power politics of the ruling alliance.

Wasim Haider Vancouver, BC, Canada

For many of us it is very disturbing to see a photo of crying Bidisha after she got the news of divorce from Ershad. I am not a supporter of the Jatiyo Party, but I am a human being. And that is why I think that persons behind Bidisha drama had done a very inhuman and cruel thing. I think politics in Bangladesh is becoming more and more ruthless. Many will agree with me that cruelty in politics took a sharp upward turn after the 2001 elections. One important aspect of current politics is the rise of so-called 'Young Turks' in the BNP. These Young Turks do not hesitate to do anything to maximise their gains. They have been accumulating wealth under state patronage and are desperate to remain in power. Everybody knows that General Zia had a tough stand when it came to opposition. However, Zia was popular and at that time people welcomed him. The situation has changed very much from that time. Bangladesh is slowly becoming a democratic country. The population has grown.

I do not think that ruthless attitude towards the opposition will bring any fruitful results.

Nazmul Hasan Oshawa, Ontario

The arrest of Bidisha Ershad is a gross violation of human rights. In a civilised society the police never arrests a person without having a reasonable suspicion about the culpability of the accused. Restraining freedom is one of the serious assaults on someone's rights and therefore the government must be very careful in doing so. Unfortunately, in Bangladesh, the law has been increasingly misused to suppress political dissent and Bidisha Ershad is the latest victim of this trend.

The allegations against her are not as serious as to warrant a woman and her four-year-old child to be dragged to the police station and be thrown into a prison cell. The people who are in power must not forget that they are creating a precedent of persecution that might be used against them one day. A political opponent must be faced politically. Intimidation, harassment and forced exile are the methods used by tyrants.

On a final note, in a civilised society the police also take action against a complainant who brings false charges against an innocent person. If the case against Bidisha Ershad is withdrawn or proved to be false then the complainant and the state, as the prosecutor, must be held responsible for the irreparable harm done to an innocent person and her child.

Rezaur Rahman Canada