The Sanatan Jagran Manch, Bangladesh, on Oct 25 Friday, organised a massive rally at the historic Laldighi Maidan in Chittagong, where thousands of Hindus came together to demand minority rights and security from the interim government, reported The Times of India. However, Indian agencies, official and unofficial including RSS, expressed concerns about minorities. “They will need help from the “Bharatiya govt” and Hindu community all over the world,” said RSS chief Mohan Bhagavat, that amounts to outside interference in Bangla affairs. A case of gross double standards, given their attitude to India’s minorities..
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Bangladesh : Rumors vs Reality
The protest was preceded by drumming up of exaggerated fears for weeks together, before and after Vijaya Dasami festival. A report of Sep 30, 2024 highlighted:
“Radical groups protest against Durga Puja celebration; Extremists threaten Hindus not to protest; Amid a surge of violence and discrimination against Hindus in Bangladesh, fundamentalists are now protesting the upcoming celebration of Durga Puja. Videos circulating on social media show radical groups taking to the streets and shouting slogans like “Pujo hote debo na” (Won’t allow Durga Puja)…
“ In addition to the threats from student groups, radical organisations like the Jamaat-e-Islami have been openly threatening Hindus not to protest and to leave the country…
“ These threats have created a climate of fear among the Hindu population in Bangladesh. Many Hindus fear for their safety and worry that they will not be able to celebrate Durga Puja peacefully” .
So much so that rumors were floated : “Bangladesh’s Hindus mull canceling Durga Puja amid security concerns,” said a report by Times of India , Oct 4, 2024, ahead of the festival, “despite extra measures by the government”. but added: Police are investigating, with regular patrols underway to ensure safety during the festival season.”It said: “There were anonymous letters, and some videos, and on social media against Durga Puja, though those videos could not be independently verified.”
“Daily Star” quoted Shekhar Chandra Goldar, president of Kamarkhola Sarvajanin Durga Puja Celebration Committee of Dakop, as saying, “Our members are no longer interested. This year we have to stop the puja.”
What was the reality? puja mandaps were more in numbers than last year’s 33,431
A scenes from the Durga Puja mandap at Dhaka’s exclusive Defence Officers’ Housing Society. (photo by Daily star)
“ We are patrolling regularly along with the army team,” the “Daily Star” quoted officer-in-charge Sirajul Islam as saying.
See this report of Oct 8, 2024, as the festival commenced, by timesofindia.com:
“The Home Affairs adviser Lt. Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said, on Oct 8 ahead of Durga Puja, the largest religious festival of the Hindu community:
“Though the number of puja mandaps was 33,431 past year, the number will exceed this year, he said, quoting the Puja Celebration Parishad…with 157 and 88 mandaps in Dhaka South City and North City corporations, respectively.
“We’ve discussed how to ensure round-the-clock security at puja mandaps,” Chowdhury said. Measures will be taken to facilitate the celebration of puja without any hindrance and prevent the “evil activities” of miscreants, he added.
Meanwhile, in his speech to the nation on Wednesday evening, chief adviser Muhammad Yunus said, “We are a nation of communal harmony. No one shall do any act that destroys religious harmony.”
Despite such reality, the report highlighted another aspect with the title, “Bangladesh ‘urges’ pause in Durga puja activities during azaan, namaaz.” it said:
“ The interim govt of Bangladesh has “urged” the Hindu community to halt their Durga puja-related activities, specially playing any musical instrument five minutes before azaan and during namaaz.” This aspect, sane and useful to avoid any conflicts, was highlighted with the title, “Bangladesh ‘urges’ pause in Durga puja activities during azaan, namaaz.”
Obviously, it is reasonable measure to avoid conflicts that may occur and be fanned by vested interests. In India too, we see attempts, often futile, by the administration to restrict DJs, excessive sounds, particularly beyond 10pm.
Finally the week-long festival passed off peacefully..
..media reports showed, marked by only sporadic incidents of friction or violence: “Durga Puja was seen as an acid test of his administration’s ability to protect minorities.” They passed the test successfully:
“Hindus in Bangladesh celebrate Durga Puja under tight security following attacks.” That is the title of a report from Dhaka in newindianexpress.com (12 Oct 2024).
“ Jayanta Kumar Dev, president of the Sarbajanin Puja Committee, said: Bangladesh’s Home Affairs Adviser Mohammad Jahangir Alam Chowdhury and incumbent Army Chief Gen. Waker-Uz-Zaman had promised to provide adequate security. “They told us there’s nothing to be worried about. We became content, and puja is taking place across the country,” he said.
Bangladeshi daily Prothom Alo reported an incident involving a “crude bomb” allegedly thrown at a Durga Puja pandal in the Tantibazar area of Old Dhaka on Oct 11 Friday night…the report added that nobody was injured. Locals elsewhere said that a group of youths from an alley beside the Puja mandap tossed a bottle aimed at the altar. When volunteers ran after the attackers, they were assaulted with knives, leaving five injured.
A tableau depicting the slaying of demon Mahishasura by the Hindu goddess Durga, center, is installed with other gods at Dhakeshwari National Temple during the Durgapuja festival in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Photo | AP)
Hindu devotees offered prayers at the Dhakeshwari National Temple, as they did every year, during the Durga puja festival in Dhaka, Bangladesh. There were no significant violent incidents, barring sporadic friction.
The same report says: “School teacher Supriya Sarker is glad to celebrate Bangladesh’s largest Hindu festival of Durga Puja but feels the festivities would be more jubilant without the fear..Despite pledges to keep the festival safe, this year’s version was subdued..
Said Sarker, as she joined the Kumari Puja in Dhaka’s Uttara district: “We faced problems in the past as well, but we did not see such escalation earlier. This is our country, we want to live here peacefully with our Muslim brothers and sisters and others without discrimination or intimidation.”
Police arrested at least two members of an Islamic cultural group in the southeastern city of Chattogram after six of its members sang Islamic revolutionary songs inviting Hindus to join an Islamic movement after they took the stage of a temple on Oct 10 Thursday. The video of the singing went viral on social media, drawing criticism as the authorities promised to arrest and punish those involved. Media reports said they belong to the student wing of the country’s largest Islamist party, Jamaat-e-Islami, but the party denied the allegation.
On Oct 11 Friday night, a firebomb was thrown at the Hindu goddess at a temple in Dhaka’s Tantibazar area, creating panic among the devotees who thronged the temple. No one was hurt, police said. Media reports said, quoting volunteers, that at least five people were injured after being stabbed by muggers. Security was heightened after Friday night’s incident at the temple, authorities said.
Ankita Bhowmick, a resident of Dhaka, said she was happy with the security provided by the government, but such a situation is suffocating.
Home Affairs Adviser Chowdhury said special security measures would remain in place until Oct 13 Sunday, when the festival ends. He said apart from police and the usual security agencies, the military, navy and air force have also been deployed to ensure law and order beyond the Hindu festival.
Arpita Barman, a Hindu university student, was optimistic. “People who thronged here are jubilant. In the future, we also want to see more people come here and celebrate puja. I feel happy to see people irrespective of their religions here. We want to see such scenes in the future and a harmonious Bangladesh,” she said.
Hindusmake up about 8% of the country’s nearly 170 million people, or more than 13 million people. A few incidents and plenty of rumors are the staple food for the media, in search of TRP ratings, and the need for ‘some content’ to run 24×7.
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Massive Rally by Hindus with 8 demands
It was after such large-scale celebrations, amid sporadic disruptions, that a massive rally was organized (photo given above), on Oct 25 Friday, marked by apparently reasonable and obviously strange slogans, and coupled with “warnings” by Hindu minorities.
The group of Hindu activists have claimed that they will not cease their mass demonstration until the Bangladesh government, currently led by Muhammad Yunus, fulfills eight demands:
- The formation of a tribunal to speedily try those involved in crimes against minorities
- Appropriate compensation to victims and their rehabilitation
- Enacting a minority protection law immediately
- Formation of a ministry of minority affairs
- Building of prayer rooms or places of worship for minorities in educational institutions and hostels.
- Hindu Buddhist and Christian welfare trusts should be elevated to foundations.
- The ‘Property Recovery and Preservation Act and Transfer of Entrusted Property Act’ should be properly implemented.
They have also demanded that the established Sanskrit and Pali education board be modernised and a 5-day holiday (!) be announced for Durga Puja, reported The Times of India.
On Oct 10, Bangladesh’s environment minister Syeda Rizwana Hasan had put out a statement saying that they hear the demands of the Hindu community and as a show of assurance enacted a 2-day Durga Puja holiday in Bangladesh for the first time in history. (In India, in most places, only one day is declared holiday.)
Bangladesh Hindus ‘should not flee,’ UN should ensure their security: RSS
The very next day, PTI, 26 October 2024 reported:
RSS leader Dattatreya Hosabale on Oct 26 Saturday said Bangladesh’s Hindu community “should stay there and not flee” and called on the United Nations to ensure their security.
“ Speaking to reporters at the concluding day of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s (RSS) two-day national meet in Mathura, the organisation’s ‘sarkaryawah (general secretary)’ said, “The government of India has said that it would protect all the minorities (in Bangladesh), including Hindus. The Sangh also issued a statement that the Hindu community there will stay there.
“ The Hindu community of Bangladesh should not flee, they should stay there.” “It is their motherland. India played an important role in that (Bangaldesh’s 1971 independence from Pakistan). We say there is a ‘shaktipeeth’ there. That part has contributed a lot in the history of our independence. That is why we want the Hindu community not to flee from there. For this, they should be protected,” Hosabale said.
“He added that the United Nations (UN) and other organisations would have to make arrangements for their security to give everyone a chance to live with respect in a democracy.”
Modi-led India passed CAA that would facilitate immigrants, other than Muslims. It was meant more to polarize votes than helping Hindus. Hosabale knows it, so he urges Hindus NOT to flee; they “will stay there” only.
Ground reality in Bangladesh shows that Islamic fundamentalists are not a formidable force as depicted by Hindutva lobbies in India. Bangla national unity prevails. Rabindranath Tagore’s poem, Amar Sonar Bangla, continues as the national anthem of Bangladesh.
In recent weeks, student activists, even Jamaat cadres, stood guard to protect Hindu temples, and other monuments from attacks by fringe elements, who are out to discredit the student revolt.
Indian journalist Tarun Vijay had in 2017 visited 20 Durga Puja pandals in five towns in Bangladesh, came back impressed, and published an article, Islamic Bangladesh’s fabulous Durga pujas, with plenty of photos.
Dhaka’s famous Durga Puja singer Zeenat Jahan. Photo by Tarun Vijay 2017.
‘A renowned Puja singer, Zeenat Jahan, captivated the Hindu audiences with her beautiful rendition of Ma Durga songs, and intermittently she would say, Bolo Durga Mai Ki! and the audience will reply in a thundering voice, Jai!’
Hindutva forces are seeking to fan communal flames, as if to complement the Islamic fundamentalists there. And they invite foreign interference.
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India’s ruling classes, in particular the Sangh parivar leaders, often disparage the very idea as ”minorityism” and “politics of appeasement.” They must clarify whether they will allow such a rally in India, if not ensure such rights and demands for minorities in India.
That such a massive rally could be held without any violent incidents or clashes, and was allowed to take place, in a country passing through sensitive times, and with only an interim govt, speaks volumes. It also exposes the veracity of allegations about ‘Muslim fundamentalists’ domination in Bangladesh.
Further, the kind of demands they raised are provocative, to say the least. Who authored and guided them? Sanatan Jagaran Manch has also threatened to launch a massive protest in Dhaka if their demands are not met, reported India Today.
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Ominous reports of “armed resistance”: Rumors Vs irrefutable facts
There are ominous reports, also in india, that an official announcement was made, on its facebook page, that Sheik Hasina-led “Awami League together with people, will take to streets” soon, resist the interim regime, and Hasina will stage a come-back. Voice of America quoted Organizing Secretary of her party and reported it! There are claims that Hasina called for “armed resistance” against the Yunus-led interim govt. Alarmed by such reports, opposition BNP called for revival of its old electoral alliance with Jamaat. (Times of india, Oct 28,2024). Hindus and India are with and behind Hasina, it is well known.
A civil-war like situation is being cooked up?!
Her son had reportedly said in August that she quit the country to avoid violence, and her family decided that she and her family would not return to politics. With such an assurance, it was reported, she was allowed to flee safely. All that is sought to be reversed now, as per reports. But conflicting reports were set afloat.
Indians are aware the rulers cite unnamed ”foreign hands” to justify their own authoritarian ways, and repressive laws and measures. Indira’s Emergency (1975-77) was notorious for that. Now the sangh parivar indulges in similar tricks.
Rumors were floated in August, ostensibly quoting Hasina, that she had declined some concessions (regarding St Martin Island) and displeased USA, and hence was overthrown, conceivably at the behests of pro-US forces. Economic Times, Aug 11, 2024, had reported that, in a “statement” issued (after reaching Delhi), she accused USA of “orchestrating” her ouster; she ‘justified her resignation to avoid further violence’. She could have remained in power if she had surrendered sovereignty of the Island, she reportedly said. Wajed had claimed her party had “tens of millions of followers; they are not going anywhere…” he alleged “unidentified foreign forces” had supported the anti-Hasina protests. “New Delhi saw a common threat in groups Hasina viewed as rivals,” per analysts, the report said. (Aishwarya Kumar, Aug 12, AFP).
Hasina’s son, US-based Sajeeb Wajed joy who was a former Adviser to her govt, had reportedly denied that she ever said so, and there was no such thing. Even if she held such a view, it is implausible that she issued an open “statement,” that too so soon. Reuters from Washington reported that White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre on Aug 12 said USA had no role, and the reports are “simply false”. The report cited the above ET story, and added: “Wajed in a post on X on Aug 11 Sunday said she (Hasina) never made any such statement.” There were other versions too. The ET apparently did not defend its earlier report.
But the irrefutable ‘foreign force” was India: Hasina was always backed and nurtured by India; she enjoyed bi-partisan support by Indian ruling classes, who in turn were in the good books of USA. She is still in India, was received by RAW’s top officials, and safely housed in a VIP area of Delhi. It was said, then on August 5, that her stay was for ‘the time-being’, that she would go elsewhere. It is almost three months, and her stay in India is extended indefinitely.
There is a request by Bangladesh for her extradition, backed by a bilateral extradition treaty, signed by her own regime. But Dhaka is almost convinced that Delhi won’t oblige. The interim regime had approached experts in international law, also during recent UN sessions. It has “re-convened” the International Crimes Tribunal that was constituted by previous dispensation itself, issued arrest warrants against Hasina and 45 of her associates for crimes they committed during the July-Aug 2024 student revolt.
The above rally and warnings of a massive protest by Hindu outfits are to be seen against such a background.
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Gross interference by Delhi
Hindusmake up about 8% of the country’s nearly 170 million people, or more than 13 million people. In India Muslim minorities constituted around 15 percent. Have we seen in India any such massive rally, and with that kind of demands, by minorities? Will such a thing be allowed in ‘democratic and secular’ India?
Big Brother India’s MEA was in a hurry, as was the Indian High Commission in Dhaka, as if waiting for any opportunity to damn Bangladesh.
The Indian High Commission in Dhaka, Oct 10 Friday, urged Bangladesh to investigate the reported theft of a crown gifted by PM Modi to the Jeshoreshwari Kali temple during his visit to the country in 2021.
The Daily Star, Bangladesh, reported that a theft occurred between 2.00 pm and 2.30 pm on October 10, after Temple Priest Dilip Mukherjee left following the day’s worship. The cleaning staff later found that the crown was missing from the deity’s head, the report added. CCTV footage circulating on social media showed an unidentified man entering the temple, removing the crown, and tucking it into his shirt before exiting the temple premises. The same evening Delhi hurriedly moved in, mentioned the theft, and went public, without giving time and without waiting for any diplomatic efforts!
“We have seen reports of theft of the crown gifted by PM Modi to Jeshoreshwari Kali Temple (Satkhira) in 2021 during his visit to Bangladesh. We express deep concern and urge the government of Bangladesh to investigate theft, recover the crown and take action against the perpetrators,” the Indian High Commission wrote on X.
Separately, Indian government sources said New Delhi is “deeply disturbed” by the reported incident of theft! So many incidents of such thefts in temples, including big ones like Tirupati, are regularly reported from across India. It is not “disturbing”.
“These are deplorable events. They follow a systematic pattern of desecration and damage to temples and deities that we have witnessed over several days now,” the MEA statement read.
Emphasising the need for protection of minorities, the statement added: “We call upon the Government of Bangladesh to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and all minorities and their places of worship, especially during this auspicious festival time.”
The statement was unwarranted. There were very few, sporadic, insignificant incidents, ascribed to a few communal elements, even as millions of Hindus joined festivities, as field reports indicated.
The statement amounts to gross interference in the internal affairs of the neighboring country, at a time it is passing through political turmoil, or a “revolution” as described by many Bangladeshis.
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RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat joins the chorus, and calls for interference.
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat speaks during a function organised on the occasion of ‘Vijayadashami’, in Nagpur, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024 (PTI).
On the same day as Delhi issued the statement, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat in his customary Vijaya Dasami speech,Oct. 12, 2024, made a reference to Bangladesh. Times of India report was titled, “RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat: Hindus must take lessons from Bangladesh violence”(TNN / Oct 13, 2024)..“being unorganised and weak is like inviting atrocities by the wicked”. Hindus should take lessons from the events in Bangladesh, he said as his organisation enters its 100th year. He “emphasized the need for Hindu unity and strength to protect against atrocities, citing persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh.”
He said,“resorting to violence, attacking a particular community trying to create fear is hooliganism”. He said there is a “sudden increase in the incidents in the country that incite fanaticism without any reason (sic)” but there are “democratic ways ways to express it and oppose them”.
Compare the ground reality of Bangladesh with the situation in India, marked by lynchings and arson by hooligans (called vigilantes), and worse, bulldozing of homes and businesses of Muslims and other minorities, and dalits – by Govt agencies. RSS winked at such atrocities, if not encouraged them.
Bhagwat said his description of the situation was “not meant to scare, intimidate, or incite fighting.”He said Hindus in Bangladesh are facing persecution and have been reduced to a minority. They will need help from the “Bharatiya govt” and Hindu community all over the world.
All this is nothing short of calling for gross interference, and inciting communal forces. He said “deep state”, “wokeism” and “cultural Marxism” are topics of discussion nowadays. “In fact, they are the declared enemies of all cultural traditions. Complete destruction of values, traditions and whatever is considered virtuous and auspicious is a part of the modus operandi of this group,” he said and called for a national narrative against such elements while remaining within the purview of the law. These elements are capturing educational institutions and spreading their distorted philosophy, he said.
(TNN / Oct 13, 2024).
“Violence in Bangladesh lesson for Hindus, wokeism declared enemies: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat” That was how Hindutan Times Oct 12, 2024 projected the speech, giving an ideological slant and a political push : He “ urged the Indian government to take a more active role in protecting minorities.”
“For the first time, Hindus united to protect themselves, taken to the streets to defend themselves, but as long as this radical violence persists, not just Hindus, but all minorities are in danger. They need support from Hindus from the entire world and India’s government must step in,” the RSS chief said, fanning global Hindutva frenzy as against Muslims. His reference to “wokeism” and “cultural Marxism”eminently echoes and suits the global Zionist lobbies that are backed by imperialists, America in particular.
RSS claims to be a cultural organization. But Bhagwat stretched the issue, went political, and sought to draw in Pakistan to sharpen his communal edge. It may help polarization, particularly in the impending Maharashtra polls. The HT report said:
“He also cautioned against a growing anti-India sentiment in Bangladesh, where discussions are reportedly taking place suggesting that the country should align with Pakistan due to its nuclear capabilities, seeing India as a threat.
“The country that received full support during its creation is now encouraging such a narrative against Bharat, Bhagwat said, without naming specific countries but implying external forces are fueling this discourse.
“We all know which countries are pushing such discussions, and narrations, we don’t need to take their name. Their wish is to create such conditions in India as well. Such industries are being run to stop India,” he said.
What is meant by “more active role”?
RSS and Delhi make a big issue whenever its “democratic ally” USA points out some incidents against minorities in India, not to speak of Pakistan raising questions about kashmir, repeated lynchings and bulldozing, Muslims being the victims. It is “gross interference” they scream. ‘One rule for you, one for me’ is brazen hypocrisy.
In contrast was the attitude of Muslim intellectuals in India, as seen in this report , of the same time.
“Indian Muslims strongly condemn attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh,
by Indian Muslims for Secular Democracy, 13/08/2024.
“ Indian Muslims for Secular Democracy (IMSD) strongly condemns the attack on the life and property of Bangladeshi Hindus. Communalism is a sub-continental malaise and must be fought across borders. We call upon Muslim organisations and individuals in India to strongly condemn the targeting of minorities in our neighbouring country.
Over 50 Muslim intellectuals and professionals from across India signed the statement, 13/08/2024 .
https://countercurrents.org/2024/08/indian-muslims-strongly-condemn-attacks-on-hindus-in-bangladesh/
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Taslima Nasreen, India’s cat’s paw
Exiled Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen accused Sheikh Hasina of allowing Islamist groups to flourish and turning a blind eye to corruption. (AFP)
Taslima Nasreen, contrary to popular misconceptions, was harassed and hounded by Sheikh Hasina regime itself, it needs to be pointed out. Nasreen has been living in exile since 1994, after she was forced to leave Bangladesh. She was criticised by Islamist fundamentalists for her writings on communalism and women’s equality in Bangladesh.
In a post on X, Nasreen, soon after Hasina fled to India on August 5, had said, “Hasina in order to please Islamists threw me out of my country in 1999 after I entered Bangladesh to see my mother in her deathbed and never allowed me to enter the country again. The same Islamists have been in the student movement (among so many others, we must add while we cite this) who forced Hasina to leave the country today.”
Nasreen blamed Hasina : “Hasina had to resign and leave the country. She was responsible for her situation. She made Islamists to grow. She allowed her people to involve in corruption…”
Nasreen was forced to leave Bangladesh in 1994 due to death threats from fundamentalist groups over her best-selling book ‘Lajja’, which was banned in the country. She has been living in exile since then…India being her ‘2nd home for the last 20 yrs’. (India Today World Desk, Aug 6, 2024.)
Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen, India’s cat’s paw, made a request, and India’s Home Ministry responded immediately.
“Dear Amit Shah ji Namaskar. I live in India because I love this great country. It has been my 2nd home for the last 20 yrs. But MHA has not been extending my residence permit since July 22. I’m so worried. I would be so grateful to you if you let me stay,” Nasreen had said in a post on X.
The Indian Home Ministry has extended the residence permit granted to exiled Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen, ANI reported on Oct 22 , and she expressed her gratitude to the Union Home Minister Amit Shah for the move. “A world of thanks,” she wrote on X. All this just a couple of days before the above rally in Bangladesh.
It is well known that Taslima had the support of Congress-UPA earlier, and of BJP-modi-led NDA later. And she has been living in exile.
Both had supported Hasina, helped her for so many years, also in manipulating the polls there. Both were one in fishing in troubled waters of Bangladesh. Indeed, Vajpayee had hailed PM Indira Gandhi as ‘durga mata’, supporting India’s military intervention in internal affairs that led to the bifurcation of Pakistan. Both are expansionists, collaborating with imperialists as their junior partners. Both play divisive, caste and communal (hard or soft forms of Hindutva) cards. There is little to choose between them.
All this calls for organized mass resistance, going beyond media platforms, and necessary ideological-political education and struggles against imperialists, Zionists and their supporters, open or subtle.
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Ramakrishnan is a political observer, a regular contributor to countercurrents.org.
See also his recent related articles:
Five eminent citizens Call from Dhaka, Colombo and Kathmandu for an end to Indian interference (15/08/2024)
Bangladesh: Student leaders on Role of Religion in politics (15/09/2024)
https://countercurrents.org/2024/09/bangladesh-student-leaders-on-role-of-religion-in-politics/
