Power of the Media and Mamata
Nidhu Bhusan Das:
Our Supreme Court in a judgment stated the Doctrine of Waiver cannot be allowed in India because people of the country, by and large, are not as educated as the US citizens, and, therefore, cannot understand the significance of waiving a fundamental right enshrined in Part lll of our Constitution. If we take this to be the ground reality even to-day, the media, when assumes the role of only a critic, is, no doubt, in advantage against leaders in power, who may be seen as sitting ducks. A section of the media in West Bengal to-day appears to be vehement critic of the Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee who had been the darling of such media outlets immediately before the Assembly polls last May and soon after she walked in the Writers’ Buildings.
Eloquence of the media is its advantage like the eloquence of the party in opposition in our democracy. It is a disadvantage for the party in power. One should, perhaps, practise reticence when on the saddle. Studied silence is better than stray comment on every issue. Mamata could have parried questions and avoided comment on issues like Park Street incident, killing of a CPM leader in Bardhaman and latest ‘Cartoon Controversy’. In Park Street Rape Case and Bardhaman killing case the persons alleged to be involved were brought to book. Her police arrested also the persons alleged to have assaulted the Professor Ambikesh Mahapatra of Jadavpur University. Professor Mahapatra was arrested on the strength of an FIR filed against him for forwarding a ‘Cartoon’ involving Mamata, Railway Minister Mukul Roy and former Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi to users of Facebook, obviously criticizing the recent replacement of Trivedi by Roy. We have the right to criticize, to satirize. But to what extent? This is the moot point.
Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary defines cartoon as ‘an amusing drawing in a newspaper or magazine, esp one about politics or current events.’ Wikipedia defines it as ‘a form of two-dimensional illustrated visual art.’ The free online encyclopedia says,’ While the specific definition has changed over time, modern usage refers to a typically non-realistic or semi-realistic drawing or painting intended to satire, caricature, or humor, or to the artistic style of such works. An artist who creates cartoons is called a cartoonist.’ From such identifications of a cartoon we understand it is a drawing or painting, not a picture collage as is seen in the satiric representation forwarded by Prof. Mahapatra. The way Mamata is shown with Mukul may be taken to have overtones which may be thought to be demeaning for any person. During the Park Street Rape debate it was stressed that even a sex worker has the right against being raped. True. It is also true that everyone has the right against being defamed. The picture collage appears to be a direct attack on the Chief Minister. Court will decide on the case filed against Prof. Mahapatra.
Debate may go on as to the reasonableness of filing of the FIR against Prof. Mahapatra and his subsequent arrest. Meanwhile, we may look within and decide what is the import of Article 19(1) (a) of the Constitution from which the freedom the media flows in our country. Media in this regard is on the same footing as an individual citizen is. Media is not privileged as against a citizen in respect of the freedom of speech and expression in the Article. Media will play the watchdog, raise and facilitate debates on issues but we may ask how a person who turned darling from being a spoiler of Singur project and remained so till the other day is now being projected as one who has only negative traits by a section of the media that owes a reasonable and convincing answer to the question to retain and develop credibility.
Media and Mamata
Nidhu Bhusan Das:
Media, it appears, are sharply polarized in West Bengal on the eve of Mamta Government’s completion of one year in office. While two leading Bengali morningers and a couple of 24X 7 Bengali TV news channels are in crusade against the government, certain other media outlets are all for the government. Once, not long ago, a darling of the media, Mamata has, of late, surely lost ground with a section of the media in the state. Meanwhile, three media men have been sent to the Rajya sabha (upper house) of the Indian Parliament by Mamata’s party. None of them belongs to the crusading camp.
Media is expected to play the watchdog in democracy. It is to reflect the pluralism, help form educated public opinion in and for a vibrant democracy. It is a fact that different media outlets represent and become mouthpieces of different interest groups and segments of the society, in any democracy. In West Bengal also it is so. Some newspapers, for instance, are openly in favor of market economy and find the remedy for all economic woes in industrialization even on fertile farm lands. They showed their reluctance in reporting police action against agitating farmers in Singur where farm land was acquired for Tata Nano automobile factory, forcibly evicting the farmers. Many were against acquiring fertile land for industry. However, media played a role in creating the climate for change in the state informing the people about the crusade of Mamata against the rule of the Left Front.
Mamata Government has, perhaps, begun to show its flaws. Lack of reticence is its greatest flaw till date. Selection of newspapers for the public libraries has not augured well for the government. Whatever be the explanation of the government, the perception in the public mind does not go with it. In fact, it is not wise for a government to create an impression that it is against free flow of information. People do not take it kindly. The stepping down of Dinesh Trivedi as railway minister for Mamata Confidant Mukul Roy did not send out the right message to the people. Till the assembly polls, an overwhelming majority of people might have reservations against a section of her party men but they had unflinching faith in the honesty of purpose of Mamata and her personal integrity. The way the Chief Minister handled the situation following the Amri Hospital fire added a lot to her goodwill. Her statement on the Park Street rape case was unwarranted and it neutralized the impact of good work of the police under her.
It appears Mamata is overworked and over burdened. The swelling of her party with people from erstwhile ruling party has led to squabbles and internecine fights. Many new entrants do not have good image. Mamata has to decide if her party should shelter the tainted political elements from the immediate past ruling party. If a firm decision to oust such people is not taken and executed without delay, the party stands to lose in terms of goodwill and popular support. Meanwhile, members of the intelligentsia who were with her in the wake of the Singur-Nandigram episodes have begun to be disillusioned following certain hasty decisions which appear to go redundant. Sycophancy appears to be at work in the party and the government. If it really exists, it should be rooted out in no time.
A Paean to Rahul Dravid
Nidhu Bhusan Das :
He is unlike others in the game – the unique Rahul Dravid, silent, determined, and a man with sense of proportion. He has all the rare qualities of head and heart. He has shown the world where to end a journey although he might have in the realms of thought reverberation of the Whitmanian refrain: ‘I have miles to go before I sleep.’
Rahul bade adieu to cricket while in form after 16 years in international turf, as did the soccer wizard Pele. At 39, Rahul is a wise man. He is driven by the call of heart and mind, not by commercial calculations though he has a degree in commerce from St. Joseph’s College of Commerce, Bangalore. In his valedictory statement he says: ‘… it wasn’t a difficult decision for me (to retire) because I just knew in my heart that the time was right, and I was very happy and comfortable in what I had achieved and what I had done.’ It is a sincere outpouring of a man who has admirers but not slogan chanting fans demanding of the cricket administration the space for their hero to perpetuate his career. He had no drummers to drum up his achievements. He stepped down as Captain of India on his own when he found that the job of the skipper was costly for him as a batsman.
He ends the statement thus: ‘My approach to cricket has been reasonably simple: it was about upholding the spirit of the game. I hope I have done some of that. I have failed at times, but I have never stopped trying. It is why I leave with sadness but also with pride.’ This is where lies the humility of a man who could walk out of the game with the head held high. He has the reason to be proud. However, he has never had the air of vanity. He has all the qualities of a gentleman, and the best of them may be his being self-effacing even after scoring a double century or steering the team to victory out of a possible debacle. So, when he would be on the crease or on the outfield he had the ‘reassuring presence’ for India. Anil Kumble, another gentleman cricketer of the past .called Dravid one of Karnataka’s ‘finest cricketing sons’ while BCCI president N. Srinivasan dubbed him as an ‘irreplaceable’ cricketer. This is a great tribute to Dravid who has been popular as ‘The Wall of Indian cricket’.
The second highest scorer in the history of Test Cricket, Dravid could be the last of India’s classical Test batsman. He successfully straddled the old school in the new age.
In sports statistics plays a role in determining success of a player. But it is not all. Only statistics cannot assess the greatness of Pele, Mohammad Ali Clay, Bjorn Borg et al. Sportsmanship is also very important.Dravid displayed that both on-field and off-field. He represents the southern sense of humility and personality that makes a great hero, erect, determined, and contented sans vanity. An innate sense of style and self-confidence go hand in hand to make his personality.
He is unlike others in the game – the unique Rahul Dravid, silent, determined, and a man with sense of proportion. He has all the rare qualities of head and heart. He has shown the world where to end a journey although he might have in the realms of thought reverberation of the Whitmanian refrain: ‘I have miles to go before I sleep.’
Rahul bade adieu to cricket while in form after 16 years in international turf, as did the soccer wizard Pele. At 39, Rahul is a wise man. He is driven by the call of heart and mind, not by commercial calculations though he has a degree in commerce from St. Joseph’s College of Commerce, Bangalore. In his valedictory statement he says: ‘… it wasn’t a difficult decision for me (to retire) because I just knew in my heart that the time was right, and I was very happy and comfortable in what I had achieved and what I had done.’ It is a sincere outpouring of a man who has admirers but not slogan chanting fans demanding of the cricket administration the space for their hero to perpetuate his career. He had no drummers to drum up his achievements. He stepped down as Captain of India on his own when he found that the job of the skipper was costly for him as a batsman.
He ends the statement thus: ‘My approach to cricket has been reasonably simple: it was about upholding the spirit of the game. I hope I have done some of that. I have failed at times, but I have never stopped trying. It is why I leave with sadness but also with pride.’ This is where lies the humility of a man who could walk out of the game with the head held high. He has the reason to be proud. However, he has never had the air of vanity. He has all the qualities of a gentleman, and the best of them may be his being self-effacing even after scoring a double century or steering the team to victory out of a possible debacle. So, when he would be on the crease or on the outfield he had the ‘reassuring presence’ for India. Anil Kumble, another gentleman cricketer of the past .called Dravid one of Karnataka’s ‘finest cricketing sons’ while BCCI president N. Srinivasan dubbed him as an ‘irreplaceable’ cricketer. This is a great tribute to Dravid who has been popular as ‘The Wall of Indian cricket’.
The second highest scorer in the history of Test Cricket, Dravid could be the last of India’s classical Test batsman. He successfully straddled the old school in the new age.
In sports statistics plays a role in determining success of a player. But it is not all. Only statistics cannot assess the greatness of Pele, Mohammad Ali Clay, Bjorn Borg et al. Sportsmanship is also very important.Dravid displayed that both on-field and off-field. He represents the southern sense of humility and personality that makes a great hero, erect, determined, and contented sans vanity. An innate sense of style and self-confidence go hand in hand to make his personality.
Change is a Fact in West Bengal
Nidhu Bhusan Das :
That a significant and irreversible political change has occurred in West Bengal through the assembly polls of 2011 is a settled fact. The effect of the change is likely to be far reaching despite the fact that the ruling party shows certain tendencies typical of the three-and-a half-decade rule of the Marxists holding the umbrella of a Left Front. These disturbing tendencies will continue because of the moral degradation encouraged and accelerated during the Marxist dispensation for perpetuation of power. The new rulers have the toughest challenge ahead to reverse the process and bring back the moral strength and usher in an era of moral regeneration.
The statement that the change is irreversible is based on the facts of history. The French Revolution of the eighteenth century was followed by the infamous ‘Reign of Terror’ which caused disillusionment among many sympathizers but that could not take France back to the period that preceded and created the objective condition for the revolution to come about. Harold Bloom in his essay ‘Prometheus Rising’ written for a preface to his book ‘The Visionary Company’ observes:’in the semi-apocalyptic dawn of the French Revolution, it really did seem that a renovated universe was possible – that life could never again be what it had been. It is not very easy now for any of us to summon up the fervor of that moment, through whatever leap of historical imagination. We have no real analogue to it as a universal psychic shock that at first promised liberation from everything bad in the past. The Russian Revolution, even if it were not now almost as historically remote from us as the French, would not be the adequate analogue, for it took place in a world already suffering through a war. He French Revolution was, in its day, a new kind of ideological revolution – hence the terror it aroused in its opponents, and the hope in its sympathizers.’
Monarchy did not return to French despite the disillusionment that followed the Reign of Terror. The fruit of the Russian Revolution staled and yielded place to capitalism, an anathema to socialism which the revolution promised. Another country of socialist revolution China has opted for market economy.
Red rule of Stalinist hue that left skeletons of dissenters buried is unlikely to be reinstated in the state even if the present government fails to deliver and reverse the process of silencing dissent and allow terror-for-democracy to continue. Mamata Banerjee, who played the catalyst for change is faced with a Hobson’s choice- she has to toe the line of Congress, the senior partner in the ruling UPA at the centre in it’s economic policy which often goes counter to her views, or to have her own way of economic regeneration of the state with innovative measures difficult to find out and implement where degraded morality engendered corruptions of every kind and enlightened thinking appears to be a rarity.
The hangover of the monolithic rule of the Marxists is likely to continue for a considerable time given the fact that the bureaucracy and the political establishments, by and large, shorn of positive thinking and new ideas, tend to be regressive and talkative. Distortion of fact and lies appear to be their stock-in –trade. In such a desert it is not easy to lay out a meadow. Only a strong will and honest purpose coupled with an appropriate plan to rejuvenate the economy creating suitable infrastructure can help. The assiduous endeavour to implement the central schemes like the National Rural Employment Guarantee (NREG) can help a lot to ameliorate the sufferings of the people in rural Bengal. The law and order situation is to be improved a lot to help people live in peace in rural areas where terror-for democracy is said to be more in place than in the urban centres. Skeletons were found in rural Bengal, not in urban West Bengal where media focus deters such methods of political subjugation. Mamata can win the battle against corruptions and overcome odds if she is able cobble up a dedicated and honest team of elected representatives and, side by side, a team of honest party workers and leaders at every level to watch and monitor the implementation of welfare and development projects. The momentous moment came when the people scripted for her a landslide victory in the assembly elections. Now it is her turn to deliver. She can inspire hope in the people if she keeps at bay sycophants, corrupt party men and cease to make comment when it is avoidable and advisable.
That a significant and irreversible political change has occurred in West Bengal through the assembly polls of 2011 is a settled fact. The effect of the change is likely to be far reaching despite the fact that the ruling party shows certain tendencies typical of the three-and-a half-decade rule of the Marxists holding the umbrella of a Left Front. These disturbing tendencies will continue because of the moral degradation encouraged and accelerated during the Marxist dispensation for perpetuation of power. The new rulers have the toughest challenge ahead to reverse the process and bring back the moral strength and usher in an era of moral regeneration.
The statement that the change is irreversible is based on the facts of history. The French Revolution of the eighteenth century was followed by the infamous ‘Reign of Terror’ which caused disillusionment among many sympathizers but that could not take France back to the period that preceded and created the objective condition for the revolution to come about. Harold Bloom in his essay ‘Prometheus Rising’ written for a preface to his book ‘The Visionary Company’ observes:’in the semi-apocalyptic dawn of the French Revolution, it really did seem that a renovated universe was possible – that life could never again be what it had been. It is not very easy now for any of us to summon up the fervor of that moment, through whatever leap of historical imagination. We have no real analogue to it as a universal psychic shock that at first promised liberation from everything bad in the past. The Russian Revolution, even if it were not now almost as historically remote from us as the French, would not be the adequate analogue, for it took place in a world already suffering through a war. He French Revolution was, in its day, a new kind of ideological revolution – hence the terror it aroused in its opponents, and the hope in its sympathizers.’
Monarchy did not return to French despite the disillusionment that followed the Reign of Terror. The fruit of the Russian Revolution staled and yielded place to capitalism, an anathema to socialism which the revolution promised. Another country of socialist revolution China has opted for market economy.
Red rule of Stalinist hue that left skeletons of dissenters buried is unlikely to be reinstated in the state even if the present government fails to deliver and reverse the process of silencing dissent and allow terror-for-democracy to continue. Mamata Banerjee, who played the catalyst for change is faced with a Hobson’s choice- she has to toe the line of Congress, the senior partner in the ruling UPA at the centre in it’s economic policy which often goes counter to her views, or to have her own way of economic regeneration of the state with innovative measures difficult to find out and implement where degraded morality engendered corruptions of every kind and enlightened thinking appears to be a rarity.
The hangover of the monolithic rule of the Marxists is likely to continue for a considerable time given the fact that the bureaucracy and the political establishments, by and large, shorn of positive thinking and new ideas, tend to be regressive and talkative. Distortion of fact and lies appear to be their stock-in –trade. In such a desert it is not easy to lay out a meadow. Only a strong will and honest purpose coupled with an appropriate plan to rejuvenate the economy creating suitable infrastructure can help. The assiduous endeavour to implement the central schemes like the National Rural Employment Guarantee (NREG) can help a lot to ameliorate the sufferings of the people in rural Bengal. The law and order situation is to be improved a lot to help people live in peace in rural areas where terror-for democracy is said to be more in place than in the urban centres. Skeletons were found in rural Bengal, not in urban West Bengal where media focus deters such methods of political subjugation. Mamata can win the battle against corruptions and overcome odds if she is able cobble up a dedicated and honest team of elected representatives and, side by side, a team of honest party workers and leaders at every level to watch and monitor the implementation of welfare and development projects. The momentous moment came when the people scripted for her a landslide victory in the assembly elections. Now it is her turn to deliver. She can inspire hope in the people if she keeps at bay sycophants, corrupt party men and cease to make comment when it is avoidable and advisable.
Mom Raped
Nidhu Bhusan Das :
A mom, the other day, reported she had been raped at gun point. Courageous lady, no doubt. She is gallant and haunts night clubs, leaving her daughters back home. She enjoys life to the last lees, and knows she has freedom, unlimited. In the republic all have freedom. Everyone enjoys it if (s)he has the capacity. The estranged mom has that capacity. In her FIR she named the rapist and his accomplices. But the named persons were not on the scene, one of them studies in Canada. How come, she named them! She filed the FIR five days after the alleged incident. Why is the delay? She reasons: ‘I was traumatized; I was in constant fear… receiving calls threatening dire consequences if I go to the police.’
Well, it may so happen. It is natural criminals try to scare the victims off the police for their safety. The mom was within her right to go to the night club at midnight for pleasure or, what they call ‘chilling’. She might have the need for chilling because she is estranged. ‘Mom, it was not right you agreed to be in their car for a lift. You are wise enough…. Even then! I cannot understand,’ remarked her elder daughter, puzzled. ‘Stop sermoning, you …you pig! Try to understand,’ she retorted.
In a night club ambience, strangers could become friends, under the dim lights, in sync with the suitable dance and music, and under the influence of liquor. Her daughters know she is fond of liquor. The mom is well within her right to sip liquor. The government has the duty to protect inebriated ladies, and escort them back home in the wee hours to safeguard their civil right in such cases. In a republic everyone should be protected. The mom did not ask for protection. She thought she was safe with them whom, subsequently, she arraigned, though her naming them was found wrong after CCTV footage was checked by the detectives.
Why was the mom wrong, ab initio, in identifying the wrong doers? Maybe, they impersonated for obvious reasons. If it is so, the mom, arguably was not in intimate relations with them for a long time. It is possible they became bosom friends only that night during the orgy. The mom is within her right to befriend anyone during a drunken orgy. Yet she was raped. It is correct to have pleasure at a night club but it is incorrect to rape a lady who is a participant in the orgy. This is not a civilized behavior permissible under the law which allows night club culture. What has been done to the mom is a criminal offence. The mom has been brutalized. The media glare is on the incident. A lot of space and air time are allotted to focus on the issue.
Some opinion leaders have raised the issue of many moms raped repeatedly in rural areas during their anti-government agitations for protecting their land under plough and wondered why the media were not as generous then as they are now. They indicate it has been so because the present mom is a socialite while the rural moms have rustic life, and, therefore, do not deserve much attention. Media gatekeepers are a privileged lot and they have the prerogative to decide which is to be foregorunded and which is to be relegated to the background. But the mom has the right to be awarded justice. Also those found culprit must be punished. The rapist and his accomplices have, undoubtedly, committed a heinous crime, whatever be the circumstances.
Now what were the circumstances? Let us read the observations of the elder daughter of the mom in her diary the day following the alleged incident of the rape inside a car on the run. She writes: ‘Mom is so cruel. She leaves us every night in the house to have pleasure in night clubs. We feel left out, cannot have sleep. She often returns before dawn. When the door bell rings we are assured she is back. This brings relief. Her boy friends help her up to the door. She has many boy friends. They lick and kiss her in love. She reciprocates. We do not dare to say it is reckless. She is heady, desperate. We believe she can tackle boys. What happened that night is a different story. She did not share it with us. We did not find a difference in her attitude that dawn. She was as usual. She has impeccable capacity to keep to herself what she thinks she should not share. Papa left her because of her habit of going out at night. Papa is unsmart and outmoded …. misfit for her.’
Be it what may, she demands and deserves justice. The culprits must be punished.
Glorious Language Martyr Day
Nidhu Bhusan Das :
Bangladesh deserves to be proud of being the embodiment of a linguistic nationalism which replaced the communal nationalism of Pakistan. The emergence of the country forty years ago marked the end of the relevance of the Two-nation theory in East Pakistan. The theory was enunciated by the British to divide the Indians on communal line in their imperialistic interest. The seed of Bangali nationalism germinated precisely on 21 February 1952 when blood was shed to suppress the Language Movement. Since then 21 February is celebrated as Language Martyr Day, fondly called Amor Ekushe. In East Pakistan it was celebrated every year as the day of resolve to be free from exploitation and injustice in the name of religion. Even to-day it is the day of resolve to protect secularism and the values of the liberation war the nation fought in 1971. The famous song – Can I forget the Ekushe February dyed red in the blood of my brethren (AAmi ki bhulite paari aamar bhaiyer rakte rangano Ekushe February) sung on the day tells of the sacred resolve.
In fact, February is the month of pride and pledge for the people of Bangladesh. It has become the pride of all peoples across the globe since UNESCO declared the Language Martyr Day, the 21st February as the International Mother Tongue Day. For Bangladesh, this month is of great pride for it symbolizes their sacrifice for the prestige of their mother tongue Bengali. They have the rich heritage of shedding blood for awarding the mother tongue it's due place of honor as a state language. When soon after the founding of Pakistan it was announced that Urdu 'shall' be the state language of that country, the people of East Pakistan protested vehemently. As the Pakistan Government did not heed to the protest the language movement continued to gain in momentum and culminated in the martyrdom of students in Dhaka.
The Language Movement and the Martyrdom are a milestone in the history of the growth and evolution of Bangali Nationalism which ultimately led to the creation of Bangladesh in 1971 through a nine-month war of liberation in which India played a historical role. The language movement, in course of time, graduated into a struggle for a distinct national identity of the Bangalis of East Pakistan. They, in the long run, seceded from Pakistan for freedom from economic exploitation, political independence from colonial clutches and cultural emancipation. They had to pay a heavy price as thirty lakh people were killed by the Pakistani occupation army and their collaborators during the nine months of liberation war and many women were raped, physical infrastructure was destroyed. The collaborators are now facing trial before a War Crime Tribunal.
Bangladesh had a traumatic period within about four years of her birth when conspirators against secularism and Bangali Nationalism killed the founding father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman along with his family members on 15 August 1975. After the killing of Bangabandhu and toppling of his government the usurpers changed the basic structure of the Constitution of the country deleting secularism. Besides, the usurpers also indemnified the killers of the father of the nation and rewarded them.
Back in power in 1996, the Awami League under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina, the surviving elder daughter of Sheikh Mujib instituted cases against the Bangabandhu killers. They were charge sheeted. The trial could not be completed before they were out of power. The next regime of BNP-Jamat alliance put the trial of the cases to the back burner. The present alliance government of Sheikh Hasina accelerated the trial and five killers were hanged unto death after the apex court of the country confirmed the death sentence awarded to them by the trial court. Five of the killers are abroad, and the government seeks their extradition.
This is the month for taking pledge for the people of the country. They are yet to achieve economic freedom through national prosperity. The national affluence is yet elusive because of the regressive policies pursued by different regimes in the name of Islam. The present government of Sheikh Hasina has sworn to modernize the polity with programs like 'Digital Bangladesh' and bringing back secularism in the Constitution and in real life of the nation.
Dhaka has a number of achievements to boast of. Meanwhile, the Unesco declared the Language Martyr Day ( 21 February ) as the International Mother Tongue Day .The SAARC is a reality . The member nations can utilize the forum for mutual gain and individual as well as regional prosperity as they are doing in Europe with their European Union. Not suspicion, but understanding and goodwill can help bring peace and prosperity. Understanding can grow only in a democratic and secular climate. Reverting to secularism Bangladesh is back to the root and can win the trust of the democratic world to it’s advantage insofar as it’s development efforts are concerned. It is heartening that Bangladesh has reinvented itself and can now work for it’s progress and economic growth, instead of being busy with fundamentalist rhetorics and raising war cry against India. Only the spirit of Ekushe February and unity of the secular-democratic forces can prevent attempts at jeopardizing the democratic process.
Bangladesh is a nation with prospects because of its rich alluvial soil, manpower and strategic position in South Asia. A good neighborly relation with India can help a lot in making Bangladesh a prosperous nation. The nation should be proud of her secularism at birth and pursue the policy instead of the regressive fundamentalism to be true to the spirit of nationalism which led to the emergence of the country following a protracted struggle.
Glorious Ekushe
Nidhu Bhusan Das :
Sixty years from now, on 21 February 1952 they laid down their lives demanding the prestige due to their mother tongue Bangla. They were Rafiq , Jabbar , Barkat , Salam et al. The Pakistan Police pumped bullets into them. Why? They rented the air of Dhaka with the slogan ‘We demand state language status for Bangla.’ Bangalis were the largest speech community in Pakistan. Yet Pakistan Government was arrogant enough to award the status to Urdu, the language of only twelve per cent of Pakistanis. Hence was the protest of the Bangalis of East Pakistan, known earlier as East Bengal. Bangladesh as usual began the month-long celebrations of the martyrdom on 1 February. The emotion and respect the Bangladeshis demonstrate thoughtout the month of February in remembrance of the martyrdom is, perhaps, unparalleled.
The Day subsequently inspired in East Pakistan movements for justice and emancipation from exploitation and for cultural freedom. The people of East Pakistan struggled relentlessly for nineteen years more for freedom, and emerged victorious on 16 December 1971 when they breathed the air of free Bangladesh which they achieved after a nine-month war against the occupation army of Pakistan. On that day, under General Niazi 93 thousand strong Pakistan Army surrendered to the joint command of Indian Army and the Freedom Fighters of Bangladesh in Dhaka.
However, Bangladesh could not shake off the heritage of Pakistan. On 15 August 1975, some disgruntled elements in the Army killed the founding father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman along with his family members, and usurped power installing the murdered leader’s long time colleague Khandakar Mustaq Ahmed as President of the People’s Republic. De facto army rule continued as coups and counter coups followed in the country. The fundamental principles of the constitution of 1972 were jettisoned to give it an Islamic character. The collaborators of Pakistan Army who committed genocide, rape, arson and plunder during the nine- month occupation got entrenched in power politics and spread the message of fundamentalism of the hue of Al Qaeda and the Taliban. Bangladesh today is plagued, inter alia, with the problem of the presence of Islamic extremist organizations like JMB.
This, obviously, goes against the spirit of cultural nationalism promoted through the sacrifice of 21 February and subsequent growth of Bangali Nationalism which culminated into the Liberation War and creation of Bangladesh. Religious fundamentalism is an anachronism today when Human Rights find top priority in a civilized society. Bangladesh may, in course of time, atone for the regressive steps of military-fundamentalist dispensation which have pulled back the country, despite her having potentialities for development. She has rich alluvial soil for agriculture, strength of manpower and a strategic geo-political position in South Asia.
The Myth and Aura Will Pass Away
Nidhu Bhusan Das
The Mamata myth appears to be waning rapidly after Ms Banerjee has become the Chief Minister of West Bengal. The Chief Minister tends more to play to the gallery than to be serious about steering the state clear of the mess she inherited from the left rule of about 35 years. She deserves credit for the ouster of the Left Front from power. It was she who pulled down the left edifice which once was thought to be impregnable. Her sustained movement against what was seen as left misrule earned her the credibility which ultimately catapulted her to power in the state.
Once in power, she is in a hurry to project herself as the Santa Claus to the people, and heaps promise upon promise to keep the people in good humour.Even she squanders money in the form of donations to the clubs of the state and her government organizes gala festivals while roads and highways remain degraded. Siliguri has begun to be illuminated on the occasion of the North Bengal Festival which she will inaugurate at Kanchenjunga Krirangan (stadium) on 10 February next when many roads of the municipal corporation are in terrible condition. The corporation is under their coalition rule. This is like building Tajmahal ignoring the fact that many impoverished subjects were unfed.
Mamata is seen to be honest personally. But many of her party men during their eight months in power could have proven that given the scope they could be corrupt and corruptible. They have already had the arrogance which goes with power for those who enjoy power and tend to abuse it. Quite a number of them have become paper tigers and seek to use the media for projecting themselves. This, perhaps, cannot augur well for the party and its supremo.
Mamata and her party call their coalition partner Congress the B team of CPI(M) but in case of North Bengal University it is found that they are so far apparently on the same wavelength with CPI(M) in respect of alleged corruptions galore. During their eight months in power, permission could not be granted for filing charge sheet against a registrar against whom the university lodged an FIR during the left rule alleging corruptions involving crores of rupees.
This irony of situation may not be without reason, politically significant. If the charge sheet is not filed in time, the case against the person will become infructuous. People, in the know of the affairs of the university, may read the meaning in it in their own way. If Mamata allows scope for such reading and go on with her populism, the myth about and the aura around her will pass away. She may continue in power but will lose authority and goodwill she earned after a long and ceaseless struggle for the cause of the people.
Wise Dudu Takes Over
Wise Dudu Takes Over
Nidhu Bhusan Das
Rupam has a new boss.He is young,reticent,and wears the air of intellectuality.A
stubble moustache hides expression that may linger on his upper lip.The new boss Dudu Chakladar has inherited the chair and the property of his father who has died recently at a little known kolkata nursing home without any fanfare.The son has been quick to take over.Since then he has been quite prompt to establish his power and control on the mini media empire his father has built and left behind.Rupam has found a new importance in the dispensation of the new boss.Dudu is 35,father of one son,who is,unlike,Dudu lucky to have no sibling. Dudu need not think,like his father, of partitioning the property as he has the sole heir.
Dudu is confident he knows everything of the trade. Saurav Chakladar had a team of confidantes whom Dudu would not like to deal with. He,quite reasonably and expectedly, has chosen his own team of young people who respect and follow him faithfully.This has created a withdrawal mood among those who feel let down after the demise of the founder of the empire.They have their own interpretation of the attitude of Dudu.They say Dudu suffers from inferiority complex which his young followers would not take.Rupam feels Dudu is wise enough to discard the old haggards and pick up his dynamic young team.In fact, there is nothing wrong in it.Every leader should have the privilege to choose his own team,be it in business, sports, politics and in other fields.Dudu in his wisdom would have it that the senior employees quit, being embarrassed. This, of course, is a pragmatic idea.
Rupam , handpicked by the senior Chakladar for odd jobs , is a resourceful boy.He can sniff and follow events , decide which is the favourable current to float on. So,he quickfixed himself and remained constantly attached to Dudu when the father Chakladar was in the nursing home.Dudu has the impression Rupam was privy to the plans and programmes of his father,and,therefore, has made him his lieutenant. He thinks he would be able to keep his sister at bay from the media empire equipped with information shared from Rupam. In fact, he could.
Elated,Rupam uses all his means to help upgrade those who ,he thinks, will remain loyal to him,whatever be the consequences for the empire.Rupam knows Dudu remains engrossed in stock trading, and is dependent on him for information about the day to day activities in the media houses. The executives of the houses also are,by now,aware of the fact and,thus, Rupam also commands their awe.What Rupam assesses and says becomes the decision of Dudu.
Rupam felt Kalinath Roy,news-in-charge of The People should be replaced by Shyam Singh and Dudu in no time abliged him.Kalinath not being far away from retirement could not come in conflict with Dudu,who,he understands, is impertinent and see by the ear..With this change Dudu and Rupam have been able to strike terror on the old haggards and the executives to the delight of Rupam loyalists.The turn for Rupam to be rewarded handsomely has come. His loyalists are known to be close to the ruling party always,and party leaders ,in many cases, tend to be paper tigers.This fact has created opportunities for Rupam,his followers and Dudu.After the change of guards in the state,Dudu feels his extra-importance as a couple of ministers of the new government have established firm relationship with him.The new government pledged it would cleanse the academic institutions of corruptions and party-ism. But it has not happened,rather people alleged to be in corrupt practices are apparently sought to be relieved. Dudu asked Kalinath to contribute a post edit every week,and he issued a circular to the effect. Kalinath’s post edit on the the bungling of the couple of ministers at the Royal University irks Dudu who has been promised a large tract of land in Dreamland for his pet project of a tourist resort.
Dudu is right,Rupam is wise,his loyalists are happy.Newspaper is for business,and editors like Dudu make business in different ways.Business ethics may not always go with media ethics.writers in newspapers with such editors do not have the freedom to write what he knows to be true.They have to know what the editor in his business interest knows to be true,or they are to be thrown overboard.
Our Paramita
Our Paramita
Nidhu Bhusan Das
If you ask me what her Achilles’ heel is, I will readily say ‘She’ll break but not bend.’ Yes, she is determined, forward looking, and has the emotion and dream to do something for the people she leads.
Our Paramita is now on the pinnacle. She has scaled the height after a long struggle which was made difficult by dictatorship-of-the-proletariat-ideology, behind the scene manipulation of her parent organization and fatal attack on her person. Her birth in a little known family came in the way of her going ahead down a path strewn with roses – rather it was thorns all the way. In the male dominated state- politics she carved her niche facing odds. She earned the love and affection of her people demonstrating her uncompromising stance in respect their interest. Even she recorded a hunger strike of 26 days to press for the cause of the affected peasants of her state. Yet one cannot be sure how far she will succeed because the serpents are around spiting venom. People may misunderstand her vis-Ã -vis the concerted campaigns of her detractors within and outside her coalition. Besides, a horde of sycophants are all around to mislead her. Perhaps, she needs a fool, as we find in a Shakespearean tragedy like ‘King Lear’.
Her Dreamland was in the immediate past the fiefdom of the red rulers who earned the reputation of turning it into a graveyard – literally and metaphorically. After a resounding victory in the polls, she has formed a government to the relief of the people. Unwilling to lick the dust for long, the red are up and doing to resurrect with the help of former allies who are in the coalition government of Paramita as a junior partner. She understands it but is, most likely, unaware of the foul play of a section of her colleagues in the government and the party.
One of her senior colleagues in the cabinet has been registered as a PhD student under a red activist in Proscenium University with the understanding that another red activist allegedly involved in corruptions of huge proportions will be given the tactical space to go scot-free. Another cabinet colleague helped him in striking the deal. Many of her party colleagues at the grass root level are in the same role as the red were during their long rule. In fact, many from the red party were welcomed into the party by her junior colleagues to utilize their experienced hands for perpetuation of corruptions to their personal benefits, and, thus, to the detriment of the party and government. The duo have brought Dudu Chakladar, the editor- by- inheritance of the daily newspaper ‘ The Gatekeeper’ within their fold offering him a large tract of land for his pet project of a tourist resort. If she fails to understand this and remains unaware of the diabolic activities within her house, innocence will be the victim, and a dream will end in nullity.
Rituja, one of her party men says, ‘Didi (sister) is overworked … the state is in shambles, no money, no infrastructure, a politicized bureaucracy … it’s difficult.’ People may give her more time to bring the state back to track. ‘But how long?’ wondered Motilal, a resident of Nandigram which turned out to be the Waterloo of the red. This is a moot question, but could be a decider if her party colleagues continue to replicate the anti-people activities in the rural belt and the government fails to begin delivering the goods. ‘Paramita’, tells her wise octogenarian mother, ‘don’t go by what the sycophants say, give importance to the critics who point out mistakes and faults, throw suggestions. Remember, to err is human. Don’t be in the illusion that you cannot make mistakes.’
We don’t know if she will follow the advice of the mother.
Equity a Far Cry, in West Bengal Intolerance Rules
Nidhu Bhusan Das
Democracy degenerates when party politics overpowers governance.In West Bengal politics, dominated for a long time by the leftists,terms like fascism and fascists became clichés.The predecessor of Ms Mamata Banerjee betrayed his scarce respect for democracy when he said ‘we are 235 and they are 30’.If this presumption of Mr. Buddhadev Bhattacharyya smacked of fascist tendency,the use of the phrase ‘barking dogs’ by the incumbent Chief Minister in oblique reference to her opponents suggests intolerance which is anathema to democracy.The present state of academic institutions and student politics demonstrates intolerance which may lead to anarchy, if allowed to persist unabated in the absence of the impartial role of the police which the Chief Minister promised on the assumption of power after a landslide victory in the assembly polls,and which is conspicuous in its absence till date.The assailants of the teacher-in-charge of Raigonj University College were booked under bailable sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) while the assailants of the Principal of Majdia College were booked under non-bailable sections. The Home(Police) Department is held by the Chief Minister.Such discriminatory approach frustrates the Chief Minister’s espousal of a equity-based dispensation.
The people of the state voted out the Left Front believing Mamata would be able to live upto their expectation of an egalitarian society where equity and rule of law would prevail.The way police have dealt with the incidents in different colleges so far has belied the expectation. The controversy over ‘Indira Bhawan’ at Salt Lake,Kalkata between ruling coalition partners Trinamool Congress and Congress is unwarranted as much as the hurling of invectives between them has crossed all limits of decency and responsible behaviour. Trinamool Congress as the major partner of the coalition in the state has the primary responsibility to keep the flock together for the sake of good governance which reticent Chief Minister Mr. Nitish Kumar could have been able to provide in Bihar which was once thought to be a difficult state to govern.
The Chief Minister harps on the denial of special package by the centre for the revival of the economic health of the state. True,the package remains elusive. But what about the central schemes like NREG for which funds have been transferred ? The state government has miserably failed in different districts to guarantee to the rural poor employment for 100 days this financial year.The government may say it has not got a full year to implement the scheme but that would not justify the failure because they have passed seven months and a half which period is marked by inaction in respect of such projects. Inefficiency and lack of vision on the part of the concerned minister could be the cause of such failure.If these progammes could have been implemented in earnestness and with vision, the rural Bengal could have seen a semblance of development, if not a full scale resurgence.
.The government,no doubt, has been successful in taming the violent Jungle Mahal and Darjeeling hills,which are not a mean achievement. The peace is fragile and may, any time, be disturbed and lost if development activities can not be started within a reasonable time. However, if the government remains busy with trading blames, altercating and the interest of the ruling party is seen to be synonymous with public interest,good governance will be beyond the horizon.West Bengal will,eventually, slide into a state of hopelessness.
Democracy degenerates when party politics overpowers governance.In West Bengal politics, dominated for a long time by the leftists,terms like fascism and fascists became clichés.The predecessor of Ms Mamata Banerjee betrayed his scarce respect for democracy when he said ‘we are 235 and they are 30’.If this presumption of Mr. Buddhadev Bhattacharyya smacked of fascist tendency,the use of the phrase ‘barking dogs’ by the incumbent Chief Minister in oblique reference to her opponents suggests intolerance which is anathema to democracy.The present state of academic institutions and student politics demonstrates intolerance which may lead to anarchy, if allowed to persist unabated in the absence of the impartial role of the police which the Chief Minister promised on the assumption of power after a landslide victory in the assembly polls,and which is conspicuous in its absence till date.The assailants of the teacher-in-charge of Raigonj University College were booked under bailable sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) while the assailants of the Principal of Majdia College were booked under non-bailable sections. The Home(Police) Department is held by the Chief Minister.Such discriminatory approach frustrates the Chief Minister’s espousal of a equity-based dispensation.
The people of the state voted out the Left Front believing Mamata would be able to live upto their expectation of an egalitarian society where equity and rule of law would prevail.The way police have dealt with the incidents in different colleges so far has belied the expectation. The controversy over ‘Indira Bhawan’ at Salt Lake,Kalkata between ruling coalition partners Trinamool Congress and Congress is unwarranted as much as the hurling of invectives between them has crossed all limits of decency and responsible behaviour. Trinamool Congress as the major partner of the coalition in the state has the primary responsibility to keep the flock together for the sake of good governance which reticent Chief Minister Mr. Nitish Kumar could have been able to provide in Bihar which was once thought to be a difficult state to govern.
The Chief Minister harps on the denial of special package by the centre for the revival of the economic health of the state. True,the package remains elusive. But what about the central schemes like NREG for which funds have been transferred ? The state government has miserably failed in different districts to guarantee to the rural poor employment for 100 days this financial year.The government may say it has not got a full year to implement the scheme but that would not justify the failure because they have passed seven months and a half which period is marked by inaction in respect of such projects. Inefficiency and lack of vision on the part of the concerned minister could be the cause of such failure.If these progammes could have been implemented in earnestness and with vision, the rural Bengal could have seen a semblance of development, if not a full scale resurgence.
.The government,no doubt, has been successful in taming the violent Jungle Mahal and Darjeeling hills,which are not a mean achievement. The peace is fragile and may, any time, be disturbed and lost if development activities can not be started within a reasonable time. However, if the government remains busy with trading blames, altercating and the interest of the ruling party is seen to be synonymous with public interest,good governance will be beyond the horizon.West Bengal will,eventually, slide into a state of hopelessness.
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