by Jahed Ahmed

 

I don't know- if trend has changed; even if it does, it existed for a long time: an army groom as the first preference for many mid-class and wealthy families who had an  educated, smart and good looking marriageable daughter/bride. Reasons? Not so surprisingly- in Bangladesh commoners view army more with fear and awes than with love and respect , and these days- former are the values (?) people seem to appreciate much more than to-be-extinct values such as love, respect, etc. So if a girl could be handed over to an army groom, it becomes a safe bet for her parents- they can boost about their son-in-law anywhere, be it a social gathering, religious gathering or a political one.

 

  Lately- main opposition leader- Sheikh Hasina, according to Kuldip Nayar's article (Ref.Deccan Herald, Sept 15, 2004), has alleged that BD army along with BNP high command and Pakistan's ISI might have been involved in last month's grenade attacks. Hasina's press secretary, Saber Chowdhury, however, has denied Hasina having said so. I don't know the truth, but I do know- even Awamileague cannot afford to anger Bangladesh army. But it angers me as a citizen. Why should chief of a main opposition party and a former PM should be so fearful, if she were to really suspects BD army's involvement in grenade attacks? Are army personnel beyond accountability of the country's constitution?

 

   If we review the past record, Bangladesh army doesn't have any clean record to its credit. First- it was a sect of army that killed county's founding leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman along with whole family except Mujib's two daughters living abroad at that time (1975). It was army that hanged (through verdict of military tribunal) brave freedom fighter Colonel Taher. Showing no respect to country's constitution and to the contrary, violating it, it was from army that two presidents emerged later and ruled Bangladesh for many years: Major General Ziaur Rahman and Major General Ershad. It's said- during Zia's regime alone- at least 17 failed military coups took place and consequently, hundreds of army youths and freedom fighters were hanged , again through trial on military court (Ref. See Qader Siddiki's books, or 'Legacy of blood' by Anthony Mascarnhass). Ironic is the fact- nothing could save even Zia. He too was killed by army. Regretfully- as a 'killer' another brave freedom fighter Major General Monjur was made scapegoat, and killed on the spot by the order of then army chief Ershad.

 

  To date country's bulk of budget goes to army. What did BD people receive in return after spending so many millions of Taka over so many years? Only coups, killings, counter-killings, and military rules! 

 

   A personal recollection. When I was a student of intermediate Science, my Biology teacher, a wounded freedom fighter himself, commented: "ours is a bizarre country. A HSC (Higher Secondary Certificate/Intermediate) qualified army officer roams in a PAJERO jeep, whereas a university teacher is to depend on a rickshaw to go to university and teach his students."

 

   That was in 1991. Is there any reason to think- thing has changed? If not, why?

 

 

New York

09/26/04