Juliana
This article has made my blood boil! It is embarrassing to me that this is how some Bengali people think! I personally do not agree with the 13 points demands of Hefazat, nor do I consider myself to be an Islamic zealot. But religion is not the issue here. Secretly killing off people in the blackness of night, cutting off media coverage, failing to adequately provide information for the public is all evidence of the criminal actions of the government and frighteningly reminiscent of genocides in Uganda or Darfur. Contrary to the sanctimonious views of the author that “her” state “does not allow extremism of any form,” I believe that killing off people for holding different opinions is extremism of the highest order. Freedom of speech should be the inalienable right of every citizen.
Ronny
Some of us keep asking just one question: Why the blackout? Why shut off news agencies from covering the issue? Why is Bangladesh government afraid of democracy? Okay, lots of questions but still pertinent ones that need answers.
Coldear
Such a waste of webspace!
Zeenat
I really hope that killing off people, be it 1 or 2500, in the name of “mother knows best” is not the opinion of the Dhaka Tribune. [Neither] religion or politics, nor how many were killed is the issue. it’s a matter of humanity, as far as I’m concerned! It’s the fact that these people were allowed to enter the city. This was not a sudden attack. It was announced and they were allowed in and allowed to sit and then opened fire upon in the middle of the night. They are extremists, maybe not innocent, maybe innocent, but all that is irrelevant to the real issue at hand, that no one’s civil and human rights are really theirs here! Be careful, for the next time it may be ours which are violated in the name of knowing what’s best for us.
Nafis
Ms Sadique, I just wanted to point out that the Hefazat is a non-political organisation. So, please do not put them in the same group as BAL/BNP/Jamaat, etc.
Now that I have your attention, let me make my actual point. A state is supposed to protect its citizens. Yes, I agree. Would that mean that Hefazatis/madrassa students are not BD citizens?
“It is comforting to know that my state does not allow extremism in any form." Absolutely. It is only allowed when it comes from the government itself, regardless of the ruling party. Oh, and might I mention that [the] BAL thugs were acting as [an] auxiliary security force for this operation. They must really care for the well-being of BD citizens.
At any rate, your last sentence does sum it up pretty well - the collective does matter more than individuals. Exactly why we have marginalised indigenous people in CHT, burnt temples and pagodas, overlooked failed investigations of murders of union leaders, journalists, political activists, etc.
Shazia
Such a weak write-up … on so many levels. Let's see if this comment is published by the moderator.
Shahid
But her write-up is biased.
Moin Ghani
On the day of the Hefazat siege, eight of my colleagues were stuck in our office in Motijheel without food and did not know when they would be able to get back home to their families. One can only imagine the horror and trauma they went through being stuck in a war zone-like area while goons were breaking into other office buildings and banks. Stern police action was necessary and appropriate on that night. If for nothing else use of force was required to free the innocent citizens from the terror.
Sam
Moin Ghani: Shame on you. Supporter of genocide.
Abdullah-Al-Harun
I like this write up very much. Please keep it up. Thanks.
Mohammad Sajjadur Rahman
Isn't it a little bit weird the way the author has been introduced? ("Sanjana Sadique is an Advocate. She does not belong to any political party and neither is she biased towards any.")
Mohib Russell
Self-proclaimed neutral .
Tasaffy Hossain
I would seriously doubt the soundness of anyone who uses the sentence "state knows best" for any form/type of our state.
Syed Händyman Cändyman
The state doesn't regulate Taliban manufacturing factories.
Tasaffy Hossain
And if [the]state knew best, they would probably have had gone into doing that (a long time ago).
Adnan Firoze
"The state will perform its duty as it sees fit. We do not always know better, even though we may think that we do."
Contradicts the definition of "democracy." I wonder what she is "advocating!"
Tanveer Rouf
Superb article! Dhaka Tribune is slowly becoming my go-to place for news and observations on Bangladesh! Thanks for publishing what so many of us feel!
Tanim Ud Dowlah
So what you want us to believe [is] that there was absolutely no other way the state could have controlled the situation? The killing of the obviously brainwashed madrasa kids was justified? I'm sorry to say that there is absolutely no possible justification to the killing of any citizens, even if they have different ideals than your urban upbringing. There is always an alternate nonviolent solution. This article just shows how BD has become a nihilistic state and people have no regard for human life. Very sad indeed.
Mekong Delta
Who writes this BS? At what stage of freedom is it okay to take lives? Bangladesh as a nation has failed in politics and democracy. Everyone has different beliefs and everyone wants to be”'Sheikh Mujib with his index finger guiding the nation;” regardless they lack [the] core skills to be responsible and respect other human beings.
Bangladesh needs (a ) military government. Since might is the first right in Bangladesh, I'd rather have a disciplined enforcer than random enforcers with [the] intention to steal everything and kill for no reason.
