Rifat’s death and the degradation of our moral value

Criminals stabbed a young man named Shah Neyaj Rifat Sharif to death in broad daylight in front of Barguna Government College. A video of this incident has gone viral in the social media. In the presence of his wife and hundreds of people on the spot, Sharif was subjected to brutality. Sharif's wife Minni tried her level best to stop the miscreants but she failed.

Locals claim that two persons named Nayan Bond and Rifat Farazi stabbed Sharif, leaving him critically injured and Sharif breathed his last after being admitted to local hospital. Nayan Bond and Rifat Farazi are the leaders of local stalkers and they both maintain Gang. They are involved in drug abuse and snatching. Local people and the victims did not open their mouth in fear before but now all the evil deeds of the criminals are being revealed one by one.

The other incident is that in Jharkhanda extremist Hindus killed a Muslim youth named Tebrej stringing him with a pole for seven hours. What a shock! At this time he was forced to say 'Jai Sriram' and 'Joy Hanuman'. There is a storm of condemnation of this incident in social media. The incident occurred when US Foreign Ministry's report claimed that minority Muslims do not have any religious freedom in India. After coming to power in the second phase of the BJP, so-called guards and religious extremists again started the atrocities like killing Muslims. We have a great reason to be concerned about the way religious extremism arises in our neighbouring country. 

Biswajit, the tailor of old Dhaka, came to my mind while I was watching the video of Rifat Sharif's stabbing. In a similar way, Biswajit was hacked to death. He was stabbed to death in broad daylight. Likewise, video footage of Biswajit killing had gone viral. Condemnation was noticed in social media. But sadly nobody came forward to protect him while he was being stabbed in front of hundreds just like what happened in Sharif's case.

The question is--in front of a hundred people an innocent man was stabbed by terrorists, but nobody came forward to save him. But why? There may be many reasons behind this. But I think the two main reasons are- the degradation of moral values and the distorted culture around.

Intolerance is increasing in people. One attacks another without mentionable reasons, at the same time people are being so self-cantered that they do not feel the need to stand against this enormity. Rather, they pass by or take photos, videos hoping for likes and comments. I must say these are the online beggars of the digital era. They started their revolution putting a status on Facebook staying at home. But in reality they have no role in the state or society. All their activities are limited to likes and comments on Facebook.

The tendency to stand beside each other and help the distressed people at the time of danger is decreasing day by day. None but human beings are responsible for it. In the modern era, with the spread of knowledge and science, human values are expected to be increased. But sadly, it is going extinct. The sick culture around us is prevailing. Disappearance, murder, terrorism and extra judicial killings are increasing day by day. Biswajit and Sharif are the examples of the absence of the rule of law. Besides, the state has been contriving to ensnare the revolutionaries.

There is no scope to deny that such type of incidence is a matter of extreme deterioration of law. In the absence of the rule of law and the democratic values, unrest is prevailing everywhere. If there is no rule of law and the state fails to take exemplary action against the guilty, unrest increases in the society. The numbers of miscreants are increasing and at the same time in the absence of the rule of law, they are doing everything at their sweet will and terrorising the people. 

The fact that none will come forward to help others in such a scary situation considering personal security is known to all. Considering self-security, the common people tolerate all kinds of misdeeds done by the terrorists like Nayan Bond. People remain silent in the face of atrocities that occur right in front of their eyes. Some of them put status on social media protesting. Sadly one has to re-think even there is the ICT Act sued against him/her. 

The common people know if they dare to ward off Noyon's Bond stabbing hand, innumerable followers of Noyon Bond will devour them at once. There are countless Nayan Bond in our country and they are organised. They are patronized and made for a group of people of the society. But the patronizers are behind the scene always. We can realise that Rifat Faraji and Nayan bond's saviour hands are far away from that after stabbing one to death in broad daylight.

The police remains inactive. Even if police arrests, terrorists like Nayan Bond quickly get out of jail and cause new misdeeds. The incident of the death of Rifat occurred in the presence of hundreds of people. Police claims the spot is under their CCTV cameras. According to the rules, CC TV has a control room for surveillance. 

So after the incident, why did not the police immediately take action against the accused? However, the prime accused Nayan Bond was killed in gunfight with police but is this permanent solution? Who patronize Nayan Bond, a deep analysis is running on this question. The local Awami League is divided into two groups, one party blaming the other. We are accustomed to take a look at such situation after happenstance. We also anticipate if the media turns away from this incident, all will be suppressed. Bangladesh must be out of this indiscipline.

To ensure rest in society, apart from the arrest of the accused directly involved in this heinous murder, the patrons of terrorists should be brought under the law and provided exemplary punishments at any cost. If the state fails to exterminate its roots then a new one could be added on the list of Biswajit and Shah Neyaj Rifat Sharif.

https://www.observerbd.com/details.php?id=205853

Narendra Modi's landslide win in Lok Sabha elections : Did Indian voters support Hindu extremism?

Seventeenth general elections to the House of people (Lok Sabha) in the largest democratic state of the world were held almost fairly and peacefully. This election was held in seven phases and the polling results were finally disclosed. In this election, the Narendra Modi-led NDA got absolute majority with 352 seats. BJP holds 303 seats alone.

In the 543 seats of the House of people, a political party needs 272 seats for the absolute majority. That is, if the BJP wishes, then they themselves would be able to form the government independently. Although Narendra Modi is criticized in his own country as well as in the world for Hindu extremism, the Indian voters kept trust on him at last. Narendra Modi sworn in as the Prime Minister for the second consecutive term after claiming the landslide win.

In the middle of the nineteenth century, India became a British colony completely. Then, through a long struggle and bloodshed, the country was born in 1947 as a independent state. By the formation of the Constitution in 1950, India became a sovereign, liberal, non-communal and a democratic country. But when the BJP led by Narendra Modi-Amit Shah won the 282 seats in the 2014 elections, and since Modi became the Prime Minister, the Indian secular character is drawn to the fundamentalism. After the BJP came to power, various types of torture and oppression came down to the minority Muslim community of that country.

In the past years of Modi's government, we noticed that the Cow Protection Committee formed by extremist Hindus in India tortured and killed many Muslims for carrying cattle or beef meat. Cow slaughter has been banned in many Indian States. In the name of cow protection, innocent Muslim citizens were beaten to death by spreading rumours. Such hateful incidents have also happened in the country, the fanatic made hindrance to the  the Muslims in their religious practice and forced them to eat pork.

During the BJP rule over the past five years, Hindu-Muslim relations have deteriorated in India and the Muslims are now worried about their future. Even though communal violence in the country is being grown up, Hindu nationalist leader Narendra Modi did not take any steps against the fanatic, rather he remained silent on this issue. BJP came to power in the elections of 2014 based on hindu extremism and capitalising the previous Congress government's corruption, nepotism, lack of promised development, investment drought, economic recession, rural development slowdown, unemployment making a slogan 'Make in India'. In the past, 'Make in India' was one of the main projects of the Narendra Modi government. But there was no major success in this project. Before coming to power, Modi's promised that he will take a step so that the farmers may gain more than 50 percent of the investment but in reality it did not.

The farmers expressed dissatisfaction not getting the fair price and many of them committed suicide. The people of the whole of India were annoyed on the issue of canceling 500 rupees and one thousand rupees notes in 2016. In the national or international, there is nothing to say in the term of the Modi government. Rather, there is a variety of turmoil in and out of the country. Modi who came to power with a dream of prosperity has gradually brought a ill-fate to the peaceful Indians. Narendra Modi realized that this term the only way to wear down the opponents in the seventeenth House of people elections is to take shelter under Hindu extremism.

That is why, emotional issues like re-established of Ram Mandir in place of Babri Masjid, cancellation of special status of Kashmir and protection of cow gets importance in BJP's election campaign. Norendra Modi very tactically took advantage of this sentiment of Hindu voters. In addition, Recently Modi's statement about the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama gave him additional benefits in the elections. Modi became able to convince most of his country's voters that India is safer with him than others. As a result, Things like Rafael's corruption, unemployment problem, continuous peasant dissatisfaction and minority persecution could not impede in the way of victory. 

Meanwhile, in the media reports, Hindu extremists started violence against Muslim as soon as the result of the election is out. Three Muslims, including a woman, were beaten seriously at Siwan in Madhya Pradesh on the charge of trafficking cow. Not only that, they have been forced to shout 'Joy Sri Ram'!

There are now a lot of challenges ahead in the BJP government. Among them if the sensitive promises like the re-establishment of Ram temple, withdrawing the special status of Kashmir from the Constitution and the so-called NRC be in effective by BJP, it will create a crisis in the internal politics of India which will create unrest in the neighbouring countries.

On the other hand if the promises made by BJP before the election are not executed, the pressure of Hindu extremists on Modi will increase. In such a situation, Modi should emphasize the internal peace of India and at the same time keeping India's status in the world. And for this, of course, Modi will have to cast aside the politics of divide and hatred and should now walk on unity. It will bring benefits to the entire region, not just for India. And only Modi's liberal policies can increase dignity of India as a secular, multilingual and multinational and as the world's largest democratic country. We shall have to wait to see what path Modi actually chooses- -divide and rule or the path of peace and harmony.

https://www.observerbd.com/details.php?id=201584

Border killing: There are promises but no implementation

The issue of border killing was reintroduced again in our discussion since 6 Bangladeshi nationals were shot dead at Bangladesh-India border by Indian Border Security Force (BSF) last January. There is no scope to deny that the Bangladeshi killing at India-Bangladesh border by the Border Security Force has now has become one of the major issues to bilateral relations between two countries. Several meetings were held between Border Security Force and Border Guards Bangladesh to stop killing and torture at the border. Every time the Indian Border Security Force pledged to bring border killing and torture to zero.

The high level of the government of India also assured us repeatedly to bring down border killing. But in reality what we notice there is no implementation of their commitments. The situation has improved very little over the years. The arrogant behaviour of the BSF has not stinted. The number of order killing continues to rise instead of falling. Another worrying news is that, by violating international law, Indian Border Security Force often enter Bangladesh illegally and attack Bangladeshis and abduct them. We do not know the reason for such arrogant behaviour of BSF. We, the Bangladeshis, do not expect such misbehaviour from our neighbouring friend state.

India is a big democratic country in this region. Besides Bangladesh, there are land boundaries of Myanmar, China, Bhutan, Nepal and Pakistan with India. But most deaths occur in India-Bangladesh border by Indian Border Security Force. Most of the killings were being occurred due to trivial reasons if we look back.

The list of complaints of human rights violation against Indian Border Security Force is very long. In 2011, the hanging dead body of Felani Khatun on barbed wire at India-Bangladesh border has became a symbol of the cruelty of the BSF. A voice raised around the world when inhuman scene of Falani's hanging body was published in various media. This incident was strongly condemned by various human rights organizations as well as the Bangladesh Government and the guilty BSF members were demanded for justice. Eight years passed since then but sadly the trial of the murder has not been ended yet. Such absence of justice gives rise to new crimes.

Of course we would like to see that the border guards of both the countries will play an important role against militants, terrorists, arms and drugs traffickers and smugglers in the border. In this regard, the border guards of the both countries will be aware so that no criminals can get away with doing crimes. All deserve that the culprits will be brought under justice and punished. But what message do we get from BSF when they enter Bangladesh inside by violating international law and show arrogant behaviour? Such perky behaviour of BSF is very unexpected. Such misbehavior of Indian Security Border Force is developing a kind of anti-Indian attitude among Bangladeshis young generations that is noted when Indian issues appear.

According to the human rights organization Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK) six Bangladeshis were shot dead by BSF in January. Another human rights organization ODHIKAR says that 144 Bangladeshis were killed and 227 more Bangladeshis injured by BSF in the last five years.

Bangladeshi people living in the border areas travel to India illegally for different needs. Besides, many Bangladeshis have relatives in India. For the sake of that relationship, many people try to cross the border illegally. But none of them stay in India for a long time. They return their homeland when they meet needs. I must accept that it is a crime to cross the border illegally. But I must also say that none of the Bangladeshis are so much threat to India's security that they will be shot dead as soon as Indian Border Security Force sees them.

There are also allegations against the BSF that Bangladeshis are also being killed or tortured due to wrongdoing in the zero line, not just crossing the border. Indian Border Security Force argues that they do not open fire on civilians; but when armed smugglers attacked them, they are forced to fire in self defence. But has BSF shown any strong evidence for this argument yet? I do not deny those who were shot dead, many of them crossed the border illegally or associated with smuggling but they are not of armed attackers.

Regarding the smuggling in bordering areas, the people of both sides have responsibilities. But in every incident unarmed Bangladeshis are just killed. People in both two countries are involved in smuggling at the border. Even there are complaints against many BSF members. Then why will the Bangladeshi people only be subjected to such cruel and brutal killing at the border? When a Bangladeshi illegally enters India's border areas, the BSF can arrest him or her and hand them over to the police. A case may be filed against trespassers and they may be brought under justice.

But they cannot shot them or torture. No sovereign state can ever accept such innocent killing, torture or abduction of its civilian citizens. Indian Border Security Force has been opening fire on border violating the compromise agreement and promises. These killings and torture are undoubtedly a clear violation of international law and human rights. Unfortunately, there is no fair trial of these cases. As a result, unexpected incidents such as torture and murder are increasing at border.

At present India is one of the world largest economic and democratic powers and Bangladesh is India's one of the friends in this region. But apparently India doesn't maintain friendly relation at the border. It's high time for India to realise that unarmed Bangladeshi killing at border is one of the biggest obstacles to make a friendly relations between the two countries. Also as a neighbouring state, we never expect such an illtreatment from a large democratic state like India. In order to build up a friendly relationship between the two countries in real sense, all the arrogant and inhumane behaviour of the BSF must be stopped.

http://www.observerbd.com/details.php?id=189506

Jahangirnagar University : 48 years of excellence

It has been a few years since the academic relations with the university have been broken up. The relation that was developed with the University during my varsity life has been strengthened. The sweet memories always keep in mind. However, Far from the capital in an aesthetic beauty of nature, in a calm and quiet environment, Jahangirnagar University, one of the leading universities in the country for higher education, was established 48 years ago on this day. The only residential university in the country is a unique feature of rich biodiversity and natural beauty.

Modern architectures are mixed with nature. Jahangirnagar University is also unique in the field of research and higher education. The University has been playing a responsible role in the country's advancement as a pioneer since the establishment.

Jahangirnagar University is a same aged of independent Bangladesh. On January 12 in 1971, Governor of East Pakistan and the Chancellor of the University Rear Admiral SM Ahsan officially inaugurated the University. On August 20 in 1970, the then East Pakistan government named the new university through an Ordinance, 'Jahangirnagar Muslim University'.

After the independence, the University Act of 1973 was passed in the first session of the Jatiya Sangsad. The name of the University was changed to 'Jahangirnagar University' by excluding the word Muslim in the University Act - 1973. At the time of founding, the University started with 4 departments and 150 students. In the passage of time, Jahangirnagar University has been regarded as one of the country's leading university.

Currently, about 13 thousand students are studying in 35 departments and 4 institutes under 6 faculties. There are about 664 teachers at present.

Alongside education and research, a student of this university has been playing a significant role in the intellectual practice, political and economic movements of our country. The students of this university participated in the liberation war. Students of this University had participated spontaneously during the Ershad government's education movement and anti-autocracy movement. Students of Jahangirnagar University did not tolerate any iniquitous in their green campus. University premises have been shaken repeatedly in the slogan against injustice.

The movement against sexual violence started in Jahangirnagar University now spreads across the country. Such incidents of violence do not happen only at Jahangirnagar University, it is done separately in the whole country. However, it was first publicly protested with bravery in the Jahangirnagar University premises. This movement is still known as South Asia's biggest anti-sexual violence movement.

In the 48 years of the establishment of the University, there has been a lot of glorious achievement. The University has contributed to the country a lot in this short time. Internationally renowned scholars and researchers are being grown here. Today, many former students of this varsity are in the country in various important positions. Many of the students have been spreading internationally and they are doing well. It is a matter of great exhilaration for the Jahangorian.

Besides progress, some expectations and problems should also be talked about. To ensure democratic environment in the university and to provide the democratic right of the students, the University's Central Student's Union must be run. But JUCSU is ineffective for more than two decades. Present VC Professor Dr. Farzana Islam, after taking the authority, She announced to tune in JUCSU but did not take any initiative. JUCSU election is confined to assurance yet. Last year, the registration of the Registered Graduate Delegate was held after 19 years of Jahangirnagar University. The winner's majority panel was then promised to take necessary steps to arrange the JUCSU.

But nothing was done in reality yet now. The country's only full-fledged residential public university has an order, but in reality there is a severe housing crisis. Apart from eating low-quality food in the dining and canteen of the residential halls, the students have to live that hinders the intellectual development. The hotels at Battalaya on the campus are very commercial.

As a result, students are to take unhygienic foods at a high price. The only gymnasium of the university is the woeful situation. Swimmingpool has been lost for a number of years due to administration's negligence. In the uncontrolled and chaotic movements of the outsiders, the natural and biological environment of the campus is in danger. There are problems in the classroom crisis, intense seat crisis in the library, transportation crisis, inadequate funding for research, slow wifi connection etc.

The current government has approved a project of 1445 crore 36 lakhs for the infrastructural development as well as the improvement of education and research including other facilities of the University. Hope, Progress must be continued by eliminating existing problems. To develop ideological values, intuitive meditation and real humanity, Jahangirnagar University will lead the next day - is a such expectation.

https://dailyasianage.com/news/158132/48-years-of-excellence