The ransacking and torching of the Prothom Alo and The Daily Star office buildings in Dhaka add a new dimension to the mobocracy. Similar acts of vandalism and arson in the Chhayanaut building exposes a gross volte-face of the movement. These are not the heady days immediately after the fall of Hasina government or the early days of the interim government when bursts of exuberance set off went to the extreme. First, there was no authority and second, the new government was yet to settle down and take actions against the anarchists.
The student-led movement drew mass support from almost all strata of society but not all were inspired by the inherent spirit guiding the campaign. Although social disparity was made a rallying cry for addressing, commitment to the agenda dissipated gradually and certain quarters started abusing the privilege of superficial camaraderie with the organisers and followers of the movement. They are using the platform to advance their own agendas.
Strangely, neither the interim government nor the student leaders have ever taken a tough stand against such destructive activities considered the worst form of crimes among criminal offences. For example, the not so widely known setting of the Muktijuddha Jadughar (Liberation War Museum) on fire was an outrageous form of crime. When the perpetrators of that heinous act are not brought to justice, this government's credibility is suspect and the inaction emboldened some crooked minds to extend mob attacks on private residences with the ulterior motive of looting.
When torching of the Liberation War Museum was ignored by the administration, the offenders felt encouraged they can attack any establishment or organisation that does not subscribe to their views or belief. It is because of the government's failure to take such criminal offences seriously that the offices of the two leading newspapers may have come under arson attacks. They cannot be blamed for thinking they are acting righteously and the government tacitly supports their aggression.
The attack, on the other hand, on the Chayanaut is reminiscent of similar aggression unleashed on Sufi shrines and Dargahs. Over 100 such monasteries came under torching, vandalism and looting since the July-August upheaval. The attacks carried out by hardline religious groups left one death and scores injured. Once again the government did not swing into action to rein in the perpetrators. The Chhayanaut has nothing to do with religion. It is a centre of secular culture that emphasises inculcation of human values at their best.
The Chhayanaut also came under attack on April 14, 2001 at the time the function of welcoming the Bangla New Year was going on. In fact, this cultural organisation has long been the pioneer in advancing the essence of Bangaleeness since its inception in protest of imposition of a ban on airing Rabinra sangeet (song) from Radio Pakistan. Clearly, the attackers know their target.
Essentially, Thursday's attacks on newspapers and Chhayanaut as also the killing of a youth from the minority community by beating an burning are indicative of extreme intolerance of 'otherness'. The message is clear, "if you do not subscribe to my faith and views, you have no right to live in this country". Violence breeds violence and the way it is used by certain groups to incite mobocracy and cruelty at its worst is turning social fabrics into shreds. Their notorious campaign is based on misinformation and rumour.
In this connection the role of the government has come under severe criticism. The Transparency International, Bangladesh (TIB) chief has not minced words to say that the government cannot avoid responsibility for the Thursday's tragic incidents. It is unbelievable that the government was not apprised of the volatile situation following the death of Sharif Osman Bin Hadi in Singapore. The chief adviser in his address to the nation urged maximum restraint but was that enough? Every time he makes vow to stay by the affected people doing no home work to stop tragedies from happening. The detective branches and security agencies are there to pre-empt such crimes. In fact, he was never serious about proactive approach to such incidents.
This time his government has failed miserably. About 30 journalists and other staff members of the Daily Star were trapped in the building and in desperation went to the roof while the mayhem was carried out by the arsonists. They waited with bated breath on the roof of the building for their rescue. There could be a tragedy of monumental proportion. Thank God, they survived the worst
nilratanhalder2000@yahoo.com
