The Bay Wave14 US Congressmen advocating for fair elections were labeled enemies of the state by the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
They fear the very notion of “voting” as it implies the involvement of people, individuals whom they regard as nothing more than subjects of their self-imposed dominion. Their rise to power was accompanied by promises of justice, adherence to the rule of law, and a commitment to corruption-free progress. However, it soon became evident that these were hollow pledges, as the tyrants of Bengal reshaped their destiny through acts of plunder, violence, verbal abuse, and abduction.
Initially, they sought to sow discord within the nation by categorizing its populace into factions supportive or opposed to the liberation movement. One proponent of this division, along with his influential uncle from the ruling party, who had affiliations with the occupying Pakistani regime in 1971, obtained a bank license. Despite being physically capable, this proponent refrained from participating in the liberation struggle.
Now, 52 years after independence, this narrative of pro- and anti-independence forces serves only to fracture and subjugate the nation.
On December 16, 1971, individuals who had not actively participated in the war declared themselves freedom fighters. They pillaged the homes of innocent non-Bengalis, with the cultural elite of this faction seizing the properties and lands of non-Bengalis who had no involvement in the conflict.
Contrary to this, true freedom fighters never sought personal gain; some did not even claim their certificates of recognition.
Subsequently, the descendants of these opportunists infiltrated the Shahbagh movement, adorning themselves with red-green flags and face paint. This movement was a grassroots outcry against the government’s perceived mishandling of war criminal trials, driven by the youth seeking justice for the victims of 1971.
The Center for Ruthless Intelligence (CRI) covertly manipulated the Shahbagh movement with promises of a single-party system, attempting to warp the protest into a hotbed of mindless ultra-nationalism.
Thus, those who contributed nothing to the nation began asserting ownership over it. Exploiting the momentum of Shahbagh, now sponsored by CRI, they swept the 2014 election.
Under the guise of anti-drug operations, they embarked on a spree of extrajudicial killings to instill fear and garner support for their single-party agenda.
They courted both Hindu extremists and Islamists, instrumentalized religion in politics, and introduced blasphemy laws disguised within the Digital Security Act (DSA), safeguarding the image of their Supreme Leader. Their political party transformed into a cult, with the leader elevated to a divine status.
Billboards and statues extolling the virtues of their regime proliferated, echoing the North Korean model of governance. “One Party, One Leader, One Faith” became the mantra, while voting rights dwindled.
The current parliament is dominated by 62 percent businessmen and 38 percent heirs to political dynasties. “Bloodline of Awami League” became synonymous with the rise of the Neo-Nazis. Appointed foot soldiers in public commissions were instructed to favor Awami loyalists.
The 2018 elections were manipulated through the influence of Awami loyalists in the administration, while opposition voices were silenced by the ruthless tactics of CRI operatives. A 100 percent victory was secured without genuine voter participation.
Former paupers now reside in palatial estates, the destitute now shop in Singapore, and those without bank accounts now possess Swiss ones and foreign residences. The scale of their embezzlement and corruption surpasses that of British or Pakistani colonizers.
The Foreign Minister openly invited Indian interference to reinstall the current government in 2024, while 14 US Congressmen advocating for fair elections were labeled enemies of the state by the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
In this climate of fear, people have forgotten how to exercise their right to vote, advocate for their interests, and seek justice. It is a dystopian realm where party lackeys roam freely, identifying and persecuting enemies. It is a Death Valley of imminent peril, where allegiance to a particular ideology leads only to self-destruction.
Maskwaith Ahsan
Editor-in-Chief, E-SouthAsia
Maskwaith Ahsan is an international journalist, educator, and the author of over 14 books. His columns appear in several Bengali newspapers, magazines, and websites across the globe. He also hosts his web TV show E-SouthAsia. His continuing work on his theory of ‘Debate for Socio-Political Discourse’ earned him the Queen’s recognition as a Commonwealth Fellow.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this opinion piece are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or positions of its editorial team. The news magazine provides a platform for diverse perspectives and encourages open discourse on various issues, but the opinions expressed herein belong to the individual author and should be interpreted as such.
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