THE HIMALAYAN TALK: PALASH BISWAS TALKS AGAINST CASTEIST HEGEMONY IN SOUTH ASIA

THE HIMALAYAN TALK: PALASH BISWAS TALKS AGAINST CASTEIST HEGEMONY IN SOUTH ASIA INDIA AGAINST ITS OWN INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

PalahBiswas On Unique Identity No1.mpg

Thursday, May 2, 2013

बांग्लादेश में शाहबाग आंदोलन के नाम से जो लोकतांत्रिक और धर्मनिरपेक्ष आंदोलन चल रहा है, उसका हम पुरज़ोर समर्थन करते हैं।

एक अपील...

बांग्लादेश में शाहबाग आंदोलन के नाम से जो लोकतांत्रिक और धर्मनिरपेक्ष आंदोलन चल रहा है, उसका हम पुरज़ोर समर्थन करते हैं। हम भारतीय अवाम से अपील करते हैं कि वह सांप्रदायिक और कट्टरपंथी ताकतों के खिलाफ चल रहे इस आंदोलन का बड़े पैमाने पर समर्थन करे। दुनिया भर में और खासकर दक्षिण एशिया में सांप्रदायिक-कट्टरपंथी शक्तियां जिस तरह आधुनिक-प्रगतिशील और लोकतांत्रिक मूल्यों का हनन कर रही हैं, उसके मद्देनज़र बांग्लादेश में उभरे जनांदोलन का समर्थन करने की हम अपील करते हैं। अमरीकी साम्राज्यवाद और सांप्रदायिक शक्तियों का लंबे अरसे से कायम गठजोड़ दक्षिण एशिया के देशों में जनता के लोकतांत्रिक अधिकारों का दमन और बुनियादी मुद्दों पर उभरने वाले आंदोलनों को कमजोर करने का काम करता रहा है, इस गठजोड़ के खिलाफ हम बांग्लादेश के आंदोलन को एक उम्मीद की तरह देखते हुए इसके प्रति व्यापक समर्थन की अपील करते हैं। भारत की मीडिया में शाहबाग आंदोलन के प्रति प्रायः जो चुप्पी देखने को मिल रही है, वह चिंताजनक है। हमारी यह समझ है कि भारत में आम तौर पर राजनीतिक शक्तियां जिस प्रकार जनता के बुनियादी मुद्दों की उपेक्षा कर सांप्रदायिक ध्रुवीकरण बनाने के प्रति ज्यादा संवेदित रहती रही हैं, उसके सशक्त प्रतिवाद के लिए भी बांग्लादेश के आंदोलन की सूचनाओं का ज्यादा से ज्यादा से लोगों तक पहुंचना जरूरी है। इसलिए हम सूचना के तमाम माध्यमों में कार्यरत सचेत लोगों से यह अपील करते हैं कि वे इस आंदोलन के बारे में लोगों को अवगत कराएं और समर्थन पर दस्तख़त भी करें।

मंगलेश डबराल, आनंद स्वरूप वर्मा, रविंद्र गोयल, संजय जोशी, अशोक भौमिक, निशात कैसर, अरशद आलम, आशुतोष कुमार, सुधीर सुमन, निधि सिन्हा, अनुराग सिंह, शाहनवाज़ मलिक

Shahbag Movement

The beginning of a new Bangladesh in 2013




Seventeenth day of protest

Shahbag: An Ocean in the Making from Mehdi Hasan Khan.

The grand rally scheduled for 21st February 2013 started officially at around 4:25. Under the leadership of Dr. Imran H Sarker, the entire crowd focussed their sight towards the gigantic flag flying high above Shahbag square, and sung national anthem and ekushey'r gaan in chorus. Verses from the holy Qur'an, Bible, Bhagavad Geeta and Tripitaka were read by scholars from respective religions to symbolise and uphold the peaceful coexistence of diverse religious population in the secular state.

In the 3rd rally in the history of 17 days of Shahbag protest, an exception was set by reserving the stage for student leaders only, intentionally excluding senior political leaders and noted persons. Presidents, general secretaries and higher ranked leaders from several student organisations put their speech to the crowd. Leaders emphasised on the necessity of addressing the 42 years old problem of political impurity which relates closely with the nations birth.

Dr. Zafar Iqbal was seen in the crowd by he did not put any speech as decided earlier. Noted actor and politician Asaduzzaman Noor was captured in camera of a TV channel where he briefly emphasised on spreading the spirit of this movement countrywide at grass-root level.

Siddique Nazmul Alam (GS/BCL) mentioned in his speech that the Shahbag movement is the lengthiest peaceful protest in world record. In parallel to his speech, several sources claimed that three Jamaat activists were identified and caught by the crowd who were handed over to the police by people.

Dr. Imran H Sarker then closed the session with a 3-page written speech containing 6 ultimatums to the government and declaration of programmes for the upcoming days.

Six-point Ultimatum to the Government

226935_218722074932633_1228049857_nThe Concluding Speech

 

This entry was posted in Development and tagged ,  on February 20, 2013 by.

California lights up in solidarity with Shahbag

When the whole of Bangladesh was busy lighting up candles in expressing their solidarity with the protesters in Shahbag, a band of about 40 people in distant California refused to be left behind. In expressing their own solidarity with the movement, they  decided to carve out their own little Shahbag in the heart of University of California at Berkeley. Hand in hand with their brothers and sisters in Shahbag, they lit up the darkness with same spirit and same aspirations as millions of Bangalis all around the world.

DSC_0128

The candle light vigil was organised by California Bengali Students Association and was attended by students and residents of Bay Area, The vigil started with "Aguner Poroshmoni," sang by Riju Dasgupta and then translated in English by Behnaz Ahmed, followed by a recital of Shamsur Rahman's "February 1969″ by the Bay Area Bengali Cultural group and singing of "Dhono Dhanne Pushpe Vora" by all. There was a short information session on Social Media activism for promoting the Shahbag movement which was conducted by Asif Islam Khan. After that one minutes silence was observed. The vigil ended with singing of the national anthem by all. Before that on 9th February people of Bay Area showed their solidarity by gathering near Golden Gate bridge with placards and flags. About 90 people attended that event.

Very proud of all the things you guys are doing there in California. Images from the events can be seen here: Candle Light Vigil at University of California, Berkeley

This entry was posted in Development on February 20, 2013 by .

Fourteenth day of protest

Monday, 18th February, 2013. A procession was launched from Shahbag at 10:30 AM to protest the dawn to dusk shutdown called by Jamaat-Shibir. People led by activists and student organizations marched from Shahbag through Science Laboratory intersection, Kalabagan and Karwan Bazaar, and then, returned to Shahbag. Carrying a black flag in the memory of 3 people killed in Jamaat-Shibir recent attacks across the country, activists loudly chanted various slogans against Jamaat-Shibir.
Procession by Student Organizations

The shutdown called by Jamaat-Shibir was officially rejected earlier yesterday by shop owners and public-vehicle owners through their respective association leaders. Majority of the mass people therefore denied the shutdown and continued through their daily activities. Educational institutions hoisted black flag and people wore black badges to honour the people who lost their lives.

Despite mass rejection from people, as usual, Jamaat-Shibir continued to demonstrate their violent activities at random intervals and places including in Dhaka, Cox's Bazaar and Comilla.

In the afternoon, a group of about hundred artists joined the protest and announced that they will boycott all media houses linked with Jamaat.

75544_564667023543466_1844834447_n

On the street, spring flowers and candles were decorated to read 30,00,000+ 1 to denote the lives lost in the 1971 war and that of Rajib Haidar.

In addition to continuing the sit-in protest, additional programmes for the upcoming days were declared:

  • Write letters to martyrs of the Liberation War, and then release balloons carrying those letters on Tuesday, at 04:13 PM, the moment the Pakistani forces surrendered in 16th December 1971.
  • Third Grand Rally at Shahbag scheduled for Wednesday, 20th February 2013 at 03:00 PM.
  • In the first hour of 21st February, later declared as International Language Day, flowers from the Ganajagarna Mancha (গনজাগরণ মঞ্চ) will be placed at Shaheed Meenar (শহীদ মিনার) to honour the Language Movement martyrs.
  • At 03:00 PM, Ekushey'r Gaan (একুশের গান) will be sung in all educational institutions countrywide.
This entry was posted in Development and tagged , , ,  on February 19, 2013 by .

Thirteenth day of protest

As declared earlier in the twelfth day, educational institutions all around the country raised the national flag and sung national anthem sharp at 10:00 AM.

Schools and colleges in Dhaka, as well as those in other major cities and divisions have been reported to participate in programme by raising half-mast national flag and my singing the national anthem.

image_11862_0Although it has been raining since morning, ignoring the weather, people from all walks of life including students in their uniforms from a number of institutions in Dhaka has joined the protest at Shahbag. People repeat their determination to continue the protest until the war-criminals are hanged.

This day also marks another major achievementthat the parliament of Peoples Republic of Bangladesh passes an amendment (2013) to International Crimes Tribunal Act 1973 under tremendous pressure from the public united under Shahbag Movement. This will allow the state to appeal against inadequate verdict and limit the timeframe to resolve such appeal to 60 days inclusive of a 15 days grace period. Additionally, this amendment includes a provision to accuse organisations for planning and execution of war-crimes.

This entry was posted in Development and tagged , , ,  onFebruary 17, 2013 by .

Twelfth day of protest

Following the assassination of blogger Ahmed Rajib Haider, the protest strengthens further. Since morning, activists along with rest of the people wear black badges to mourn for Ahmed Rajib Haider. Namaaz-e-janaza for Rajib was held at around 5:53 PM in the venue after the Asr prayer. At around 5:30 PM, Rajib's dead body arrived.

Rajib Haider's First Namaz-E-Janaza at Shahbag | Credit: banglanews24.com

Ahmed Rajib Haider's First Namaz-E-Janaza at Shahbag | Credit: banglanews24.com

Before the janaza, touching the coffin, people took the oath "আমরা কফিন ছুঁয়ে প্রতিজ্ঞা করছি, রাজাকারের ফাঁসি না হওয়া পর্যন্ত সংগ্রাম চালিয়ে যাবো। মৃত্যুর আগ পযর্ন্ত আমাদের সংগ্রাম অব্যাহত থাকবে। যতোদিন পর্যন্ত সব রাজাকারের ফাঁসি ও জামায়াত-শিবিরের রাজনীতি নিষিদ্ধ করা না হবে ততোদিন আমাদের আন্দোলন চলবে" which, in English, translates to "Touching the coffin, we swear, until razakars are hanged, we will continue the protest. As long as we stay alive, our protest will continue. Until all the razakars are hanged and jamaat-shibir are banned, our fight will continue". Rajib's maternal uncle addressed the crowd and said that the dead body belongs to the youth, the people, and called upon the attackers to appear in front of the people if they dare. Rajib's mother, when asked by media about suspects behind the killing of her son said, nobody but the forces who opposed Bangladesh's liberation have done this. She demanded the killers of his son caught and punished so that no mother losses her child like this.

Programs Declared

  1. On Sunday, 17th February, 2013, at 10:00 AM, national flag shall be raised at half-mast and national anthem will be sung at all educational institutions around the country.
  2. On Monday, 18th February, 2013, protesting Jamaat's strike, everybody shall come out on the street continue their daily activities. Additionally, people all over the country shall wear a black badge, and raise black flag on the roof of their home and offices.
This entry was posted in Development and tagged , , ,  onFebruary 16, 2013 by .

2013 Shahbag protests

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
It has been suggested that Timeline of the 2013 Shahbag protests be merged into this article or section. (Discuss) Proposed since March 2013.
2013 Shahbag protests
POWER OF LIGHT.jpg
Demonstrators in Shahbag in February 2013
DateFebruary 2013
LocationBangladesh (began at Shahbagh Square,Dhaka)
23°44′18″N 90°23′45″ECoordinates: 23°44′18″N 90°23′45″E
Causes
Methods

The 2013 Shahbag protests, associated with a central neighbourhood of Dhaka,Bangladesh, began on February 5, 2013 and later spread to other parts ofBangladesh, as people demanded capital punishment for Abdul Quader Mollah, who had been sentenced to life imprisonment, and for others convicted of war crimes by the International Crimes Tribunal.[5][6] On that day, the International Crimes Tribunal had sentenced Abdul Quader Mollah to life in prison after he was convicted on five of six counts of war crimes.[7][8] Later demands included banning the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami party from politics and a boycott of institutions supporting (or affiliated with) the party.[9]

Protesters considered Mollah's sentence too lenient, given his crimes.[10][11]Bloggers and online activists called for additional protests at Shahbag.[12][13]Tens of thousands of people joined the demonstration, which gave rise to protests across the country.[14] By mid-April, their numbers had declined, and the original protest site is now clear.[15]

A counter-protest, demanding release of those accused and convicted, was launched by Jamaat-e-Islami as its leaders were the majority of those first identified for trial. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) initially expressed its support for Jamaat-e-Islami, a principal political ally.[16] But, the BNP cautiously welcomed the Shahbag protest, while warning the government not to make political mileage from a movement demanding capital punishment for war criminals.[17]

During the protests, Ahmed Rajib Haider, a pro-Shahbag blogger, was brutally killed outside his house by machete-wielding youth.[18] On March 2, five Jamaat-Shibir activists were arrested; they confessed involvement in Rajib's killing.[19][20][21] On February 27, 2013, the tribunal convicted Delwar Hossain Sayeedi of war crimes and sentenced him to death. Jamaat followers protested and there were violent clashes with police. About 60 people were killed in the confrontations; most were Jamaat-Shibir activists, and others were police and civilians.[22]

Contents

  [hide] 

[edit]Historical context

See also: 1971 Bangladesh atrocities and Razakars (Bangladesh)

In 1971 Bangladesh was the portion of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan known as East Pakistan. In the 1971 Liberation War of Bangladesh, East Pakistan fought West Pakistan for nine months. During this period the Indian Army which provided guerrilla training to freedom fighters of Mukti Bahini, joined the war on December 3, 1971 in support of the liberation of East Pakistan. Armed conflict ended on December 16, 1971 through surrender of the Pakistani Armed Forces to India, resulting in the formation of The People's Republic of Bangladesh as a free, secular and independent state.

According to the famous Blood Telegram from the US Dacca consulate to the State Department, many atrocities had been committed by the Pakistan Army and its supporter Razakars and Al-Badar militia.[23][24][25] Time reported a high-ranking U.S. official as saying, "It is the most incredible, calculated killing since the days of the Nazis in Poland."[26] Estimates are that one to three million people were killed, nearly a quarter of a million women were raped and more than ten million people fled to India to escape persecution.[27][28]

A paramilitary force known as the Razakars was created by the May 1971 Razakar Ordinance promulgated by Tikka Khan, the governor of East Pakistan. The ordinance stipulated the creation of a volunteer force, trained and equipped by the provincial government.[29]Razakar (Bengali: রাজাকার) comes from رضاکار (razākār, the Urdu word for "volunteer"). However, it became a derogatory term in the Bengali language due to the widespread killings of civilians and atrocities committed by the paramilitary during the war. The war criminals, mostly young men, were never brought to trial, since Bangladesh needed to bargain with Pakistan for the return of 200,000 Bengalis stranded in Pakistan at the end of the war.[citation needed]

The majority of East Pakistanis supported the call to create a free and independent Bangladesh during the Liberation War. A small number of Pakistani supporters and members of fundamentalist political parties, particularly Jamaat-e-Islami (JEI) and its student wingIslami Chatra Sangha (ICS, Bengali: ইসলামী ছাত্র সঙ্ঘ Islami Chhatro Shônggho), the Muslim League, the Pakistan Democratic Party (PDP) Council and Nejam-e-Islami, collaborated with the Pakistani army to resist the formation of an independent Bangladesh. The students belonging to Islami Chatra Sangha were known as the Al-Badr force; people belonging to Jamaat-e-Islami, Muslim League, Nizam-e-Islami and similar groups were called Al-Shams, and the Urdu-speaking people (generally known as Bihari) were known as Al-Mujahid.[citation needed]

[edit]International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) of 2010

Large white building, with many pillars
Old High Court Building, Dhaka, where the tribunal is taking place
See also: International Crimes Tribunal (Bangladesh) and International Crimes Tribunal Timeline

Since 2000, there has been an increasing demand in Bangladesh for justice related to war crimes committed during the 1971 struggle; the issue was central to the 2008 general election.[30][31] The Awami League-led, 14-party Grand Alliance included this issue in its election manifesto.[32] Its rival, four-party alliance (which included the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami) had several leaders alleged to have committed war crimes.[33] The former freedom fighters and sector commanders of the liberation war pleaded with the public not to vote for alleged war criminals in the election.[34]

The Grand Alliance won the election (held on December 29, 2008) with a two-thirds majority, based in part on its promise to prosecute alleged war criminals.[35][36][37] On 29 January 2009 the new Parliament unanimously passed a resolution to prosecute war criminals.[38] The government intended to use the 1973 law: the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act. [39] The government worked to amend the law, updating it and incorporating other nations' experience.[40][41][42] The amendments provided for the trial of individuals and political parties that had worked against the liberation of Bangladesh. The government was empowered to appeal tribunal decisions.[42]

On March 25, 2010, the Awami-led government announced the formation of a three-member tribunal, a seven-member investigation agency, and a twelve-member prosecution team to conduct the trials under the ICT Act 1973.[32][43] The panel of three judges included Fazle Kabir and Zahir Ahmed, with Mohammed Nizamul Huq as chairman.[44] Abdul Matin, Abdur Rahim, Kutubur Rahman, Shamsul Arefin, Mir Shahidul Islam, Nurul Islam and M. Abdur Razzak Khan were appointed to assist the state prosecutors.[45] Golam Arif Tipu was named Chief Prosecutor. Others prosecutors were Syed Rezaur Rahman, Golam Hasnayen, Rana Das Gupta, Zahirul Huq, Nurul Islam Sujan, Syed Haider Ali, Khandaker Abdul Mannan, Mosharraf Hossain Kajal, Ziad Al-Malum, Sanjida Khanom and Sultan Mahmud Semon.[45]

[edit]Verdicts

A formal charge was filed by the prosecution against Abdul Quader Mollah on 18 December 2011.[46] He was charged with:[46]

  • The Pallab murder
  • Killing pro-liberation poet Meherunnesa, her mother and two brothers
  • The Khandoker Abu Taleb killing
  • The Ghatar Char and Bhawal Khan Bari killings
  • The Alubdi mass killing (344 people)
  • The rape and murder of Hazrat Ali and his family

On 5 February 2013, the ICT found Mollah guilty of crimes against humanity.[7][47] He was sentenced to life imprisonment for the Alubdi and Ali killings and 15 years each for the Pallab, Meherunnesa and Taleb murders.[46] The day before the verdict was announced, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, the Islamist political party (of which Mollah is a leader), announced a nationwide dawn-to-dusk general strike for 5 February in protest of their leader's conviction.[48][49]

Many citizens (especially young people) were outraged that, given his crimes, Mollah was sentenced to life imprisonment rather than death.[10][11] The verdict was criticized in social media, and a peaceful demonstration began at Shahbagh Square in Dhaka.[50]

[edit]Protesters' demands

Over several days, protesters increased their demands, asking for:

  • Death penalty for Mollah[1][51][52]
  • Death sentence for those convicted of war crimes by the International War Crimes Tribunal[53][54][55]
  • A ban of Jamaat from Bangladeshi politics[2][3]
  • A boycott of Jamaat institutions[56]

[edit]Oath of Shahbag Square movement

We swear an oath that the leadership of the mass of people from the Gonojagaran Mancha (National Awakening Stage) will continue the movement from Teknaf to Tetulia until capital punishment is handed down to those Razakar and Al-Badr members who committed crimes against humanity like mass killing and rape in 1971. We take the oath that we will remain vocal, both on the streets and online, until the politics of the war criminals, Jamaat and Shibir, is banned and the citizenship of their members cancelled. We further take the oath that we will continue this demonstration and keep demanding trials, under a special tribunal, of those Razakars and Al-Badr activists who were convicted, and under trial, but freed after 1975. We swear that we will boycott the war criminals' business entities -- Islami Bank, Ibn Sina, Focus, Retina and various other coaching centres. We know through these they collect money to continue with their anti-liberation activities. We will also boycott the academic and cultural organisations through which they are spreading anti-liberation sentiments among the children. In brief, we will work for banning all the business, social and cultural organisations belonging to Razakars and Al-Badr activists. We swear that we will continue with our demand for stringent punishment of Jamaat and Shibir, who have committed crimes of sedition by threatening civil war, after making their immediate arrest by recognising them through video footage of news and newspaper pictures. We swear that we will boycott war criminals' mass media like Diganta Television, Daily Naya Diganta, Amar Desh, The Daily Sangram, Sonar Bangla Blog. We will not subscribe to the newspapers of the war criminals at any office or house. At the same time, we request the pro-liberation mass media to boycott the war criminals and their accomplices.[57]

[edit]Development

See also: Timeline of the 2013 Shahbag protests

[edit]Origins

Protests began within hours after the Mollah verdict was announced when an online activist group, Blogger and Online Activists Network (BOAN), called for protests through social networks.[58] Demonstrators gathered at Shahbag Circle (or Projonmo Chottor); they painted murals on the road, drew cartoons, hanged effigies of war-crimes suspects and chanted slogans, with a vow to continue demonstrating until their demands were met.

Protesters at night, chanting and holding torches
Protesters at Shahbag Square

On 7 February, demonstrations began at 8 am. Thousands of people gathered with banners, posters, Bangladeshi flags and placards in Shahbag with their demands.[59] On Friday afternoon, a mass rally was held at Shahbag with an estimated attendance of more than 100,000.[60]

On 12 February, protesters observed three minutes of silence at 4 pm at Shahbag and all across Bangladesh.[61] In Dhaka, traffic was stopped as thousands of people took to the streets, formed human chains and stood in silence. A Bangladesh Premier League game at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium halted for three minutes, as players and supporters observed the silence. Parliamentarians and the police also joined the protest.[62] Bengali singer Kabir Suman wrote a song entitled "Tin Minit" ("Three Minutes") in honor of the silent protest.[63][64]

[edit]Further developments

On 21 February, International Mother Language Day, the number of protesters reached a new high. Its leadership declared 26 March 2013, the Independence Day of Bangladesh, as the deadline for the government to ban Jamaat-e-Islami from politics.[65]

The government did not ban Jamaat-e-Islam from politics after the deadline was over. Seven protesters calling themselves the Shaheed Rumi Squad began a fast until death on 26 March at 10:30 pm in front of the National Museum, protesting "inadequate government action" to ban Jamaat in response to the Shahbagh protesters' ultimatum.[66] The fasters said at a press briefing that they would send an open letter to Prime Minister Hasina during the 100th hour of their protests.[67] More than 100 organisations expressed solidarity with the hunger strikers. [68]

[edit]Sentencing of Delwar Hossain Sayeedi

See also: 2013 Bangladesh riots and 2013 Bangladesh Anti-Hindu violence

On 28 February the International Crimes Tribunal sentenced Delwar Hossain Sayeedi, Nayeb-e-Ameer (vice president) of Jamaat-e-Islami,[69] to death for convictions on 8 out of 20 charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.[70] The protesters celebrated the sentence.[71] "This verdict is a victory for the people", declared protest organizer Imran H. Sarker.[71] Attorney General Mahbubey Alam said, "It's a victory day, it's a day of joy. Through this verdict, the nation is seeing the resurgence of liberation war spirits."[72] Sayeedi was the most senior official convicted by the tribunal, and the third person overall.[73]

[edit]Counter-demonstrations

Jamaat followers were enraged by the decision, claiming that the case against Sayeedi was politically motivated. His lawyer, Abdur Razzaq, accused authorities of preventing a key witness from testifying and intentionally slanting the process.[71] "This is a perverse judgment. It is inconceivable that a court of law awarded him a conviction. This prosecution was for a political purpose", Razzaq said.[71] Jamaat quickly called for a nationwide two-day strike, to start on 3 March.[72] By afternoon, violence led by Jamaat-e-Islami supporters had erupted across Bangladesh.[71] "The Jamaat-e-Islami is fighting for its political survival", said a spokesperson.[72] By the end of the day thirty-five people were dead, including three police officers;[72] an additional eight hundred were injured.[72] According to the BBC, it marked "the worst day of political violence in Bangladesh in decades".[73]

Clashes between police and Jamaat-e-Islami workers continued on 1 March, spreading to the northern districts of Gaibandha andChapai Nawabganj.[73] Opposition leader Khaleda Zia criticized government "brutality" and Jamaat called for a demonstration in the capital, Dhaka. Security measures were increased to prevent the situation from escalating.[73] The death toll rose to forty-four (including six policemen).[71] Former prime minister and BNP member Khaleda Zia declared a nationwide dawn-to-dusk hartal for 5 March, and called for countrywide rallies on 2 March to protest what she called government corruption, misrule, oppression, and "mass killings".[74]

Violent conflict continued on 2 March, with another four deaths and hundreds of injuries.[74] In Chittangong district police opened fire on Jamaat-e-Islami protesters, leading to three deaths.[74] In Nilphamari, a young person died in a clash between protestors and police.[74]

On 3 March, violence continued as the Jamaat-organized strike began. In Bogra Jamaat supporters attacked police outposts with sticks and homemade bombs, leading to at least eight deaths.[22] In Godagari two deaths were reported in a similar incident,[22] and three deaths were reported in the Joypurhat district.[22] Violence continued in Chittangong as well, where Jamaat claimed that police opened fire without provocation. The government denied the charge, saying that violence against citizens and police would not be tolerated; three deaths were reported.[22] "People in the street are very, very afraid of Jamaat-e-Islam. I am scared", reported an eyewitness in Dhaka.[22] Jamaat supporters singled out Hindu citizens, attacked their homes in many parts of the country, and torched Hindu temples.[75][76][77][78] More than 40 temples and many statues were destroyed and scores of houses set ablaze, leaving hundreds of people homeless throughout the country.

Amnesty International has urged the Bangladeshi government to provide better protection for minority Hindus. Abbas Faiz, the organization's Bangladesh researcher, has noted that the attacks on the Hindu community were predicted and it was shocking that people were attacked because of their religion.[79][80] Attacks on Hindu communities had been widespread during the 1971 war.

[edit]Reactions

[edit]Domestic response

Large crowd (mostly male) with banners in street
Protest in front of Chittagong Press Club

The Shahbag protest has attracted people from all social strata to its cause.[6] The Shahbag intersection at the center of the protests has been referred to as "Generation Circle" (Bengali: প্রজন্ম চত্ত্বর Projônmo Chôttor) or "Shahbag Square", in a nod to the events which unfolded in Tahrir Square, Cairo.[1]. The protest spread from Shahbag to other parts of the country, with sit-ins and demonstrations in Chittagong, Sylhet,Barisal, Mymensingh, Khulna, Rajbari, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Comilla, Bogra,Narayanganj, Sunamganj, Noakhali and Narsingdi.[81][82][83][84]

a participant, Amiruddin Ahmed remarked, "After coming here I have realised that the national flag is secure at the hands of our children". Members of the 1971 "Golden Generation" found fresh inspiration in Projônmo Chôttor.[85] Writer Muhammed Zafar Iqbal, noting the large youth participation, said, "I am here to offer my apology to you. I wrote in newspapers that the new generation only hits 'Like' on Facebook and writes on blogs, but does not take to the streets. You have proved me wrong and I thank you all for this".[86][87] Dhaka University Vice Chancellor Arefin Siddique said, "Today is a movement to make the country free from razakars. The country needs to be freed from razakars'hands. Capital punishment of the razakars is a demand of the country's 16 crore people".[88] Jahangirnagar University Vice-ChancellorM. Anwar Hossain said, "The people of Bangladesh have rejected the verdict. At Projonmo Chottor, we join our hands to make a clear statement, to give a call to all countrymen to unite and oust the anti-liberation forces from the soil".[88]

[edit]Political response

State Minister for Law, Quamrul Islam, said that the verdict against Abdul Quader Mollah could have been different if people had taken to the streets sooner.[89] The government is planning to file appeals with the Supreme Court contesting the sentence for Mollah.[90] On 11 February the Cabinet approved proposed amendments to the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act 1973, introducing a provision for plaintiffs to appeal verdicts handed down by the tribunal. This amendment, if passed, would enable the state to appeal Mollah's life sentence.[91]

Jamaat-e-Islami, which was already staging protests against the impending trial of its leaders, called for a general strike.[92] Jamaat continues to demand that the international war crimes tribunal be stopped and its party leaders freed. Jamaat supporters had staged nationwide demonstrations with increasing frequency from November 2012 to February 2013, demanding the release of its leaders.[93][94] Actions included firing gunshots, smashing and setting fire to vehicles and detonating homemade bombs.[95][96][97][98]Violence was targeted at police stationed in the capital, Dhaka, and major cities such as Rajshahi,[98] Cox's Bazar,[99] Chittagong,[100]Rangpur,[101] Dinajpur[102] and Khulna.[103][104] Several Jamaat-Shibir activists were arrested during the strikes and confrontations with police.[103][100]

[edit]Reaction from Bangladeshis abroad

Semicircle of demonstrators holding candlelight vigil
Shahbag protest supporters in Stuttgart

Bangladeshis abroad have expressed solidarity with the protestors through social-media websites Facebook and Twitter.[50] Demonstrations of solidarity have also taken place in Australia,[105] Malaysia,[106] Germany[107] and theUnited States.

Bangladeshis in New York City joined in a symbolic protest on 9 February at Diversity Plaza in Jackson Heights.[108] A mass sit-in was organized by the Bangladeshi community in Sydney on 10 February at the International Mother Language Monument in Sydney Ashfield Park.[109] At a rally at the Angel Statue in Melbourne, demonstrators signed a petition to Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina demanding death for war criminals.[110] Bangladeshis in Taiwan also expressed their solidarity with the Shahbag protests on 10 February.[citation needed]

On 10 February, Bangladeshi students gathered at Rutgers University in New Jersey to express solidarity with the Shahbag protests. Bangladeshi residents joined the students to express their support.[citation needed] Bangladeshi students at the University of Delawareand nearby residents demonstrated their solidarity with the Shahbag movement on 15 February at a busy intersection in Newark, Delaware. A candlelight vigil was held that evening for Rajib, a blogger and activist who was killed several hours before the demonstration.[111]

In London, protesters at Altab Ali Park in solidarity for Shahbag were attacked by Jamaat-e-Islami supporters. Protests are held at the park every week by both sides.[112]

[edit]International response

On 18 February British Foreign Office minister Sayeeda Warsi hailed the Shahbagh Square protests, describing them as peaceful, productive and non-violent.[113][114] An article in the Fletcher Forum of World Affairs by Suzannah Linton on 27 February expressed concern about "bloodlust in Bangladesh" and called on the international community to steer the process towards international standards.[115]

[edit]Media coverage

[edit]Domestic

While most media outlets followed the protests from the start, some pro-Jamaat-e-Islami news outlets reported them as a "well-orchestrated play made by the government".[citation needed] In Sreemangal, Moulvibazar cable operators in solidarity with the protests have stopped broadcasting the pro-Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami television channel Diganta Television.[116]

[edit]International

Protester in a crowd holding up English-language poster
Protester showing placard to foreign media

The BBC,[117] CNN,[118] Yahoo! News,[119] Reuters,[81] Al Jazeera,[120] The New York Times,[121] The Independent[122] and others have published stories on the protests;BBC Bangla has been closely following the events.[123][124] Reuters photographer Andrew Biraj published "live" photos of mass demonstrations at Shahbag.[125]

[edit]Social media

[edit]Facebook

Facebook, the most popular social-networking site in Bangladesh, has played an important role in spreading news worldwide about events at Shahbag.[126][127] A Facebook event was created calling for a protest at Shahbag; the human chain which went viral on 5 February 2013.[128] Facebook continues to be the main source of information about Shahbag protests.[126][127]

[edit]Twitter

Bangladeshis used the Twitter hashtag #shahbag to provide live updates of the movement.[129][130]

[edit]Outcome

The demonstration put pressure on the government to amend the International Crimes Tribunal Act so war criminals "can be swiftly executed if convicted".[131] The cabinet also set a 60-day limit for the Supreme Court's Appellate Division to rule on appeals, to keep the cases moving. This means that those who have been convicted and sentenced to death could be executed this year if their verdicts survive appeal.[131] In response to popular protests, Jute and Textiles Minister Abdul Latif Siddiqui said on 12 February that a bill is being drafted to ban Jamaat-e-Islami from Bangladeshi politics.[132]

[edit]Photos

In Bangladesh
Protesters at night, with torches
Protesters in Shahbag 
Seated protesters, holding placards
Placards with demands 
Aerial photo of large, nighttime demonstration
Candlelight vigil 
Protesters holding up shoes
Raising shoes to express shame and hatred 
Outside Bangladesh
Students holding placards in front of "Queen's University" sign
Students at Queen's University,Kingston, Ontario, Canada 
Students holding placards in front of "Texas Tech University" sign
Students at Texas Tech University,Lubbock, Texas, United States 
Bangladeshis of all ages holding signs in front of a tree
Bangladeshis in New Zealand 
People holding signs on steps of large building
Demonstrators in Helsinki, Finland 

[edit]See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: 2013 Shahbag Protest

[edit]References

  1. ^ a b c "Huge Bangladesh rally seeks death penalty for War Crimes". BBC. 8 February 2013. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
  2. ^ a b "Shahbagh grand rally demands ban on Jamaat", The Daily Star, 9 February 2013
  3. ^ a b "Cry for Jamaat ban". Bdnews24.com. 8 February 2013. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
  4. ^ "Vow to boycott Jamaat institutions", The Daily Star, 9 February 2013
  5. ^ "THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMES (TRIBUNALS) ACT, 1973".bdlaws.minlaw.gov.bd. Retrieved 1 March 2013.
  6. ^ a b "Protesters demand death for Bangladesh war crimes Islamist". Reuters. 6 February 2013. Retrieved 8 February 2013.
  7. ^ a b "Summary of verdict in Quader Mollah case", The Daily Star, 6 February 2013
  8. ^ Rabbi, Saimul Islam (16 Feb 2013). "Bangladesh 1971: War Crimes, Genocide and Crimes against Humanity". BD News 24.
  9. ^ Rahman, Mashiur (28 February). "Analysis: Calls grow for banning Jamaat-e-Islami in BD". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 1 March 2013.
  10. ^ a b "OUTRAGED", The Daily Star, 6 February 2013
  11. ^ a b "Verdict surprises some top jurists", The Daily Star, 7 February 2013
  12. ^ "Bangladesh's rising voices". Aljazeera. 19 February 2013. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  13. ^ "Compilation of Shahbag Movement: A new Sun Uplifts".Priyo.com. Monday, February 11, 2013.
  14. ^ "Outrage explodes over verdict", The Daily Star, 7 February 2013
  15. ^ "Violent strikes continue in Bangladesh". Al Jazeera English. 2013-03-07. Retrieved 2013-04-17.
  16. ^ "Bangladesh war crimes trial: Key defendants". BBC. Wednesday, January 21, 2012. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
  17. ^ "BNP cautiously welcomes Shahbag protests".BDNews24.com. Wednesday, February 13, 2013. Retrieved 13 February 2013.
  18. ^ "Shahbagh protest to go relentless". bdnews24.com. Friday, February 15, 2013. Retrieved 15 February 2013.
  19. ^ "Four more killed in Bangladesh; 57 dead since January".The Times of India. 2 March 2013. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
  20. ^ "Shibir man behind blogger killing". The Daily Star. 2 March 2013. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
  21. ^ "5 detainees admit Shibir man behind Rajib murder".banglanews24. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
  22. ^ a b c d e f "Bangladesh deaths rise as Jamaat protest strike begins". BBC. 3 March 2013. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
  23. ^ Telegram 959 From the US Consulate General in Dacca to the US Department of State, March 28, 1971, 0540Z
  24. ^ Telegram 978 From the US Consulate General in Dacca to the US Department of State, March 29, 1971, 1130Z
  25. ^ Telegram 986 From the US Consulate General in Dacca to the US Department of State, March 30, 1971, 0905Z
  26. ^ "Pakistan: The Ravaging of Golden Bengal", Time, 1971-08-02
  27. ^ "3 MILLION Slaughtered Sheik MUJIB Charges 'Greatest Massacre'," The Portsmouth Herald, page 6, '17 January 1972, Portsmouth, New Hampshire
  28. ^ "Bangladesh war crimes stir tension". 30 June 2008. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
  29. ^ The Dacca Gazette Extraordinary, Aug 2, 1971. Available athttp://www.icsforum.org/library/files/420_GovernmentofEastPakistan1971.pdf
  30. ^ "Dhaka body lists war criminals of 1971". The Indian. Fri 04 April 2008. Retrieved 2010-09-19.
  31. ^ "Bangladesh's Unfinished Revolution". Thaindian News(Dhaka). July 11, 2008. Retrieved 2010-09-19.
  32. ^ a b "Stage set for war trial", The Daily Star, March 26, 2010
  33. ^ "No against war criminals won", The Daily Prothom Alo, 31 December 2008, collected from ICSF Media Archive
  34. ^ "Plead not to cast vote for traitors and war criminals", The Daily Prothom Alo, 27 December 2008
  35. ^ Julhas Alam, "Bangladesh wrestles with trials from '71 war", The Guardian, December 21, 2011
  36. ^ "A historic landslide for Hasina". bdnews24.com (Dhaka). Tuesday, Dec 30th, 2008. Retrieved 2010-09-19.
  37. ^ "Awami League wins Bangladesh election". CNN. December 30, 2008. Retrieved 2010-09-19.
  38. ^ "JS passes proposal to try war criminals", The Daily Star, 30 January 2009
  39. ^ "Bangladesh Genocide Archive". genocidebangladesh.org. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  40. ^ "War criminal trial under int'l crime act", The Daily Star, 26 March 2009
  41. ^ "Opinion of the Law Commission on the technical aspects of the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act, 1973 (Act No. XIX of 1973". Retrieved 2010-09-19.
  42. ^ a b "Law amended for war crime trials". The Daily Star(Dhaka, Bangladesh). 10 July 2009.
  43. ^ St, Bd (3, May 2012). "Prosecutor begins statement against SQ Chy". BD News 24.
  44. ^ IANS (26, March 2010). "We will wait, watch: Jamaat on war crimes trial". Thaindian News.
  45. ^ a b Connect, UNB (25, March 2010). "War Crimes Tribunal constituted, prosecutors, investigation agency named".UNBconnect.
  46. ^ a b c "Summary of verdict in Quader Mollah case". The Daily Star. 6 February 2013. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
  47. ^ "Bangladesh jails Islamic party leader for life". The Guardian. Tuesday 5 February 2013. Retrieved 6 February 2013.
  48. ^ "66 held during violence-marred Jamaat strike".BDNews24. Tuesday, February 5, 2013. Retrieved 8 February 2013.
  49. ^ "At Shahbagh, Bangladesh's fourth awakening". The Hindu. February 16, 2013. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
  50. ^ a b "Protest gets social media boost". BDNews24. 6 February 2013. Retrieved 8 February 2013.
  51. ^ "Hundreds of thousands rally in Bangladesh to demand executions of 1971 war crimes suspects". The Washington Post. 8 February 2013. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
  52. ^ "Protesters continue to demand death penalty for Bangladesh war criminal Abdul Quader Mollah". newstrackindia. 8 February 2013. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
  53. ^ "Teeming thousands chant 'Hang them all'".Bdnews24.com. 8 February 2013. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
  54. ^ "Bangladesh Protest Calls for Death for War Crimes". ABC News. 8 February 2013. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
  55. ^ "Nationwide protests in B'desh; death for war criminals demanded". zeenews. 9 February 2013. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
  56. ^ "Vow to boycott Jamaat institutions". Daily Star. 9 February 2013. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
  57. ^ "The oath", The Daily Star, 9 February 2013
  58. ^ Personal Correspondent (6 February 2013). "মৃত্যুদণ্ড না হওয়ায় হতাশা, ক্ষোভ". Prothom Alo. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  59. ^ "Protest gets social media boost", BDNews24, 6 February 2013
  60. ^ BBC report
  61. ^ AsiaOne news report
  62. ^ "A silence stronger than words", The Daily Star, 12 February 2013
  63. ^ Suman, Kabir. "Tin Minit (Three Minutes)".http://www.kabirsumanonline.com/home/2013/02/13/tin-minit-three-minutes/. Retrieved 13 February 2013.
  64. ^ "Tin Minute of Suman". Prothom Alo. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
  65. ^ "Act before March 26", The Daily Star, 22 February 2012
  66. ^ "Shaheed Rumi Squad begins fast-unto-death for ban on Jamaat". The Daily Star. March 28, 2013.
  67. ^ "Rumi Squad urges students to hold token hunger strike".The New Edge. March 30, 2013.
  68. ^ "Rumi Squad continues fast unto death". The Daily Star. March 30, 2013.
  69. ^ "Sayedee verdict Thursday". The Daily Star. 27 February 2013. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
  70. ^ Manik, Julfikar Ali (1 March 2013). "Gallows for Sayedee".The Daily Star. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
  71. ^ a b c d e f Julfikar Ali Manik; Jim Yardley (1 March 2013). "Death Toll From Bangladesh Unrest Reaches 44". New York Times. Retrieved 1 March 2013.
  72. ^ a b c d e Arun Devnath; Andrew MacAskill (1 March 2013)."Clashes Kill 35 in Bangladesh After Islamist Sentenced to Hang". Bloomberg. Retrieved 1 March 2013.
  73. ^ a b c d "Bangladesh war crimes verdict sparks more violence". BBC. 1 March 2013. Retrieved 1 March 2013.
  74. ^ a b c d Naim-Ul-Karim (2 March 2013). "4 dead, hundreds injured as riots continue in Bangladesh". Xinhua. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
  75. ^ "Jamaat men attack Hindus in Noakhali". bdnews24. 28 February 2013. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
  76. ^ "Stop violence against Hindus: Bangladeshi daily". Zee News. 4 March 2013. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
  77. ^ "Bangladesh: Khaleda Zia condemns attacks on Hindus, demands probe". Times of India. 5 March 2013. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
  78. ^ "44 killed in Bangladesh violence". The Hindu. 1 March 2013. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
  79. ^ "Bangladesh: Wave of violent attacks against Hindu minority". Amnesty International. 6 March 2013. Retrieved 9 March 2013.
  80. ^ "Amnesty calls for protecting Hindus". 7 March 2013. Retrieved 9 March 2013.
  81. ^ a b Protests rage for third day over Bangladeshi war crimes Islamist | Reuters
  82. ^ "Thousands join Shahbagh sit-in". February 7, 2013. Retrieved 7 February 2013.
  83. ^ "A cartoon of Bangladesh's Jamaat-e-Islami senior leader Abdul Quader Mollah". Yahoo News. 7 February 2013. Retrieved 7 February 2013.
  84. ^ "People burst into protests". 7 February 2013. Retrieved 7 February 2013.
  85. ^ "Reaction from freedom fighter". bdnews24.com. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
  86. ^ Shahbagh protesters won't leave, Financial Express
  87. ^ "A Startling Awakening", The Daily Star
  88. ^ a b "The Rise Of The New Horizon", Priyo
  89. ^ "Verdict could be different if people took to streets earlier: Quamrul", News
  90. ^ Govt, defence ready to file appeals
  91. ^ "Provision for appeal endorsed: Cabinet okays change to war crimes trial act", The Daily Star
  92. ^ Jamaat calls hartal in Ctg for tomorrow
  93. ^ Haroon, Habib (16 February 2013). "At Shahbagh, Bangladesh's fourth awakening". The Hindu. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  94. ^ Farid, Ahmed (16 February 2013). "Bangladesh war crimes verdict protests turn deadly". CNN. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  95. ^ "Jamaat, Shibir attack policemen across country". bdnews24.com. 28 January 2013. Retrieved 8 February 2013.
  96. ^ "Jamaat, Shibir attack police in Khulna". bdnews24.com. 6 February 2013. Retrieved 7 February 2013.
  97. ^ "Jamaat, Shibir men torch 2 vehicles in Ctg". bdnews24.com. 7 February 2013. Retrieved 8 February 2013.
  98. ^ a b "Jamaat-Shibir men go on rampage". New Age. 29 January 2013. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  99. ^ "Jamaat-Shibir let loose terror in several districts". The Independent. 28 January 2013. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  100. ^ a b "Three shot dead in Ctg during Jamaat-Shibir hartal".The Independent. 5 February 2013. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  101. ^ "40 injured in police and Jamaat-Shibir clash in Rangpur".Bangladesh Sangbad Snagstha(BSS).
  102. ^ "Jamaat turns violent, clash with cops across country; 168 injured". UNBconnect. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  103. ^ a b "Jamaat, Shibir clash with police across country". New Age. 11 November 2012. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  104. ^ "Jamaat rampage continues". The Daily Star. 14 February 2013. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  105. ^ Daily Star::Sydney students are with Shahbag
  106. ^ timesworld24.com|last updated news::কাদের মোল্লার ফাঁসি : আন্দোলন মালয়েশিয়াতেও
  107. ^ bdnews24.com::"Cologne joins Shahbag in solidarity",, BDNews24
  108. ^ Shahbag uprising protest in NYC - Bangladesh Videos : Firstpost Topic - Page 1
  109. ^ Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS)
  110. ^ "Bangladeshis in Melbourne express solidarity with Shahbag protests", New Age BD
  111. ^ "Shahbagh protester killed".
  112. ^ "The agonies of Bangladesh come to London". The Guardian. 17 February 2013. Retrieved 14 March 2013. "The conflict between the Shahbag and Jamaat has already reached London. On 9 February, local supporters of the uprising demonstrated in Altab Ali Park, a rare patch of green space off the Whitechapel Road in London's East End. They were met by Jamaatis. "They attacked our men with stones," one of the protest's organisers told me. "There were old people and women and children there, but they still attacked us.""
  113. ^ "UK minister praises Shahbagh protests". theindependent. 20 February 2013. Retrieved 10 March 2013.
  114. ^ "UK Minister hails Shahbagh demo". bdnews24.com. 18 February 2013. Retrieved 10 March 2013.
  115. ^ "Bloodlust in Bangladesh: A Search for Justice Gone Wrong". The Fletcher Forum of World Affairs. February 27, 2013.
  116. ^ "Srimangal cable operators stop broadcasting Diganta television". The Daily Star. 10 February 2013. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
  117. ^ BBC News - Huge Bangladesh rally seeks death penalty for war crimes
  118. ^ Protests erupt in Bangladesh after war-crimes verdict - CNN.com
  119. ^ Bangladeshi war crimes protesters turn anger towards feuding politicians - Yahoo! News
  120. ^ Thousands in Bangladesh war crimes protest - Central & South Asia - Al Jazeera English
  121. ^ Manik, Julfikar (February 12, 2013). "Politics in Bangladesh Jolted by Daily Demonstrations". The new york times. Retrieved 2013-02-13.
  122. ^ Philip Hensher (2013-02-19). "The war Bangladesh can never forget - Asia - World". The Independent. Retrieved 2013-03-05.
  123. ^ "Follow up of the events by BBC Banga". BBC. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
  124. ^ "Interview with a protester from Shahbagh". BBC. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
  125. ^ Ahmed, Anis. "Bangladeshi war crimes protesters turn anger towards feuding politicians". www.reuters.com. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
  126. ^ a b "Shahbagh 'battle' now on cyber space". bdnews24.com. 10 February 2013. Retrieved 4 April 2013.
  127. ^ a b "Shahbag protesters versus the Butcher of Mirpur". The Guardian. The Guardian, Wednesday. Retrieved 4 April 2013.
  128. ^ "Defiant crowd battles propaganda war", bdnews24, 11 February 2013
  129. ^ "Shahbag online". The Daily Ittefaq. 9 February 2013.
  130. ^ "Shahbag outcry". The Daily Ittefaq. 15 February 2013.
  131. ^ a b "Bangladesh approves law to swiftly execute war criminals". 12 February 2013.
  132. ^ "'Bill to ban Jamaat on way'". 12 February 2013.

[edit]External links

Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...