A short interview with Awami League leader Pankaj Debnath - now in exile and hiding ::::
Blogger (Nirendra Dev) :: How would you review the performance of Tarique Rahman Govt in the first 100 days and more ? There might have been lot of expectations probably from the BNP?
Awami League leader Pankaj Debnath : This is absolutely rubbish. This is a spin, the BNP guys have given. Ever since the ouster of Sheikh Hasina and Awami League in a most unprecedented manner; Bangladesh is suffering a lot. First came Yunus regime and something the international media including in India did not understand is that the BNP and Jamaat were also ruling our country by proxy. Both these parties had encouraged the Yunus regime.
It was an unconstitutional mechanism and there were no expectations either from the Yunus regime and neither from BNP.
This is an interesting perspective. According to you people of Bangladesh did not quite vote for BNP with any expectation?
Pankaj Debnath : Now you seem to get the real point. There were no expectations from the BNP. You can say .... the people wanted to get rid off the so-called interim regime. I will also add that the people voted for a lesser evil. The February elections in Bangladesh was not a genuine election. It was not inclusive election. Our party stayed away from the elections. So you have the BNP Govt. But its performance has not been good. Personally me or say even my party is not surprised. I can go on....
Ok, you may elaborate more !!
Pankaj Debnath :
This February election was actually a drama. It was like a 'got up' or fixed foot ball match. In Bengali, I can say - Bhag-Bhatora election.
It's like saying, let us divide the cake between ourselves.
The result was therefore pre-planned; the BNP took 200 plus and Jamaat around 80. It was all pre-planned. The proof of this is found in the fact that the BNP is still encouraging Jamaat. Slowly there is a social acceptability. This is a matter of deep concern.
So, let me put it other way; what have been the major failures of the Tarique Govt?
Pankaj Debnath : About BNP Govt, kam bolai bhalo (We should speak less). The era of hooliganism started under Yunus is still continuing. Media in our country is not free.
The Govt is getting rid of talented and efficient officials especially minorities from police, banking sector, education, defence and civil administration. There is no real halt to incidents of violence against minorities especially Buddhists and Hindus.
Bangladesh is experiencing a severe nationwide measles outbreak. There are reports about 600 deaths have been reported since March. It's pathetic.
It's a matter of fact that highly contagious measles can spread quickly through coughs and sneezes. The BNP Gov is clueless. It is all the more serious and is particularly dangerous for unvaccinated young children under the age of 5.
 |
| Old file snap |
Minorities are not safe. Tell us more on these. What about the security issues and the role of army ?
Pankaj Debnath : I have already said Hindus and other minorities are not safe. Things deteriorated for them in July-August 2024. Under Yunus regime, several Hindus were killed. There was mob lynching. Things have not changed much. Hindus and Buddhists are still being attacked. Bangladesh has long way to go to come to normalcy. However, I am eternally confident. The people of Bangladesh are optimistic that the principles and values of Awami League will help our nation yet again.
I am also confident the spirit of Liberation War will prevail again ... sooner than later. So that we have a meaningful democracy in Bangladesh.
The Tarique Rahman Govt in Dhaka is one of immense failure. It has failed on multiple fronts. This failure of 15 months has built extra pressure on the BNP dispensation.
That's true. On normal functioning of the government - like education, women safety, atrocities against minorities, any sincere and committed Govt should have delivered. The BNP failed to open job avenues too. Worse, for recent import of oil shipments there are reports of indirect patronizing of a Jamaat leader.
All these should make us raise eyebrows.
ends
No comments:
Post a Comment