"In unprecedented scenes, soldiers in uniform were seen being chased out of the Dhaka university campus by students. In two days, the myth of the army’s omnipotence was all but laid to rest. " – BBC News
[Via Rezwan] Shahidul Alam, critically acclaimed Bangladeshi photo-journalist, has posted some powerful images of the protests and the curfew in Bangladesh and has penned a blogging tour de force:
Rahnuma and I talked of the events over the last two days, of the army camp in Dhaka University. Of a soldier slapping a student. Of the vice chancellor (acting) being beaten up by police. This had never happened before, not even during the Ayub or Ershad military regimes.
Despite their claims, this government had never been called in by the people. We had no say in who the advisers would be. It was not military rule the people had welcomed, but the cessation of violence and the fear of further anarchy if the rigged elections were held. Banana trees would have made equally good replacements. However, banana trees would not have sold national interests. Closed down environmentally-friendly jute mills. Made slum dwellers homeless, or tortured and killed adibashis protesting the military acquisition of their ancestral lands. So while there was initial relief, as the price of essentials soared, news of nepotism and the partisan manner in which Jamaat -e-Islami was being shielded soon made people realise this banana tree would never bear fruit, let alone run a government.
As Bangladeshis realise that a democratically elected autocratic government has simply been replaced by an unelected autocratic one, the tune in the streets is changing.
Multiple demands of students and teachers have been whittled down to one – withdraw emergency rule. Underground pamphlets are spreading like wildfire. With the Internet down, text messages are filling up the ether. The information adviser’s suave statements to the media faltered as he snapped, “why such a fuss about a slap or two?”
The US has declared support for the chief adviser’s statement. What he lacks is the support of the people.
The military government’s response to the protests will be brutal and swift. Already many students have been detained and beaten. Five prominent university professors have been taken away in the middle of the night. The newspaper run by the Information and Law Advisor urges some Orwellian measures today. However, the ground has shifted in Bangladesh. The picture above will become iconic – the military will not rule Bangladesh. That realization, if it comes, by the military government can and should begin its smooth exit and give way to early elections.
Thought provoking writings and pictures though.. But ..
Switching from democratically elected auto-crates to non-elected military backed auto-crates that raises question should we wait until 2008 or we let some one else to give blood for our old way of life .. It is for sure who lived for power and bribery will never give their life .. on what rights these people encourages and ask other to give their blood ..
I will never be affected with the current situation in Dhaka nor my families or friends are on the verge of total extinction so what right I have to comment and what right any one has, to ask other to give life/blood for their way of life .. Should not we wait for 2008/2009 and think back about our past mistakes so that we do not repeat them .. I can see Ghost of Mujib every where who with their meticulous speech ask every one to sacrifice themselves and alas the leaders always stay put in their home to bear the fruit at the end ..
But I do admit the picture of Square Hospital another example of meticulous yellow journalism .. Yes it has a few or more extra lights outside .. But why a hospital should shut down itself to save power ? And also should not it have its own generators ..
We are in a situation that will hurt us in either way .. and We should remember what goes around comes around .. Now our past injustices are hunting us back with full vengeance ..
That picture is screaming for a Mexican futbol announcer to yell, “Gooooooooaaaaaaaallllllll!” :d
Here in America, only Yahoo! News has picked up on this. I hope the stupid MSM follows suit very soon so it gets the attention it deserves.
that is a powerful picture. Especially it being in black and white. I hope that whatever happens next, that the ordinary person will not be suffering as much as he/she is now.
It is not a surprise this Administration would support theirs.. what’s new.
hope you’re doing well Mash, I’m back in town and back online. Next week with the kids back to school, back more often on your blog as well,
take care!
Ingrid
In his second round of interview with Tasneem Khalil, M Sanjeeb Hossain, son of detained DU Professor Anwar Hossain, detailed what his father told him about the DGFI “black hole,†his torture and what happened in the court. Considering its significance, this pod was recorded both in English and Bangla. You can find it
Robbie, that picture is caused quite a ruckus. The army is out taking revenge for this “humiliation”. Print media has covered the story, but buried in the world news section. BBC is doing a good job of covering the story, but the US media is more interested in more exciting matters than the fate of 150 million people.
Ingrid, good to see you back. I’ve been focusing a lot on Bangladesh lately because of these events. As you noted, it is the ordinary people who are suffering while the military exacts revenge and neglects the country. This has always been about brute power and corruption.
SDG, I heard the podcast and the interview on the BBC. To be clear, the University professors are being tortured because they asked that the state of emergency be lifted, one gave an interview to the BBC, and because an army man, pictured above, was kicked by a student and a brigedier general was chased out of campus by students. So the army is pissed and will exact revenge. Like I said, anyone who expects this lot to usher in a return to democracy is hoping against hope.
That photo’s message is simple and the image is simply iconic.
So, is it the symbolic expression of how the people of Bangladesh feels now about the olive uniformed patriots? A classic image indeed!Unforgettable!It reminds us that power do not sustain through arms eventually.And the rulers fall when loose people\’s acceptance.
that is a powerful picture. Especially it being in black and white. I hope that whatever happens next, that the ordinary person will not be suffering as much as he/she is now.
It is not a surprise this Administration would support theirs.. what’s new.
hope you’re doing well Mash, I’m back in town and back online. Next week with the kids back to school, back more often on your blog as well,
take care!