Politically speaking, Dhaka and its adjoining areas are relatively calm. Following the controversial national polls held in January this year, the Awami League and its partners have been basking in the glory of making it to the citadel of power.
The one-time leftovers of politics grabbed their opportunities to be at the centre of power with the AL. They played the right kind of role that the stooges and sycophants play as the second fiddle.
The BNP is left in the lurch. It is trying to heat things up, but not managing much. Only when Tarique Rahman speaks up from London does the party get something to embark on.
It equally rejuvenates the government party. They immediately start firing salvos at BNP, its late founder, Khaleda Zia, Tarique, and the whole bunch. The agile AL stalwarts do not mince words.
Whatever the current trend, the AL and allies have effectively managed to contain BNP politics. As of now, all is quiet in the political front. However, in the name of protesting the Gaza atrocity and the recent broadcast policy announced by the government, BNP and the 20 party alliance staged demos and rallies, which saw large gatherings of supporters and activists. The rallies were peaceful.
More than this, the month of August carries greater significance for the country. In this month, some 39 years ago, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib was killed along with his family members at his Dhanmondi residence in the early hours of August 15, 1975 by some disgruntled army officers. Serniabat and Sheikh Moni were also killed in their homes at about the same time.
The day is one of mourning for Bangladesh. The leader was gunned down brutally and there was no opposition, nor any action against the perpetrators for 21 long years during the tenures of the governments that ruled after his killing.
However, with AL back in power in 1996, the self-confessed killers who were in Dhaka were captured. The absconding few were brought back (a few are still at large in different countries). They walked the gallows after a prolonged trial.
The tragedy does not end here for AL and its supporters. This month is also a month of the gruesome grenade attack on the AL rally (then in opposition). The attack was carried out on August 21, 2004.
AL chief Sheikh Hasina had been speaking at a public meeting on Bangabandhu Avenue, protesting blasts against the party’s workers in Sylhet. The rally drew a crowd of 15,000 people.
As Hasina finished her speech, a total of 13 grenades were thrown into the crowd from the rooftops of nearby buildings, killing at least 23 people and injuring more than 200. Among the dead were Hasina’s bodyguard and Awami League Women’s Affairs Secretary Ivy Rahman.
Tarique Rahman and 28 others were indicted and are being tried in absentia for their alleged involvement in the attack.
The month of August bears importance, especially when AL is in power, because of the tragedy that struck the members of the Sheikh family. Fortunately, Sheikh Hasina, the then opposition leader, escaped unhurt.
The month of August also holds another hue. The chairperson of BNP, Begum Khaleda Zia celebrates her birthday on August 15 (the day Sheikh Mujib and his family were killed). This celebration naturally causes a ripple of annoyance and anger in the AL camp, especially in the minds of the Sheikh family members.
People and parties who don’t get along with BNP and Khaleda Zia come down hard on her every year claiming that August 15 is not her original birth date. She does this deliberately to rejoice on the day of Mujib’s death.
But BNP and others who are with her reject the claim and go on cutting colourful cakes with the leader at her residence, at the party offices, wherever convenient.
There are, however, opposing views regarding her celebration. Quarters in the AL ask her not to celebrate the day even if it is her original birth date. That way, they admit that this is her genuine birthday.
However, many wonder why the AL should be so sensitive that they will not allow any anniversary or event to take place in this month. They opine that there are two birthdays celebrated in this month of August, that of the closest of kin of Sheikh Mujib. One is none other than the wife of the leader, Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujib, and the other is Mujib’s eldest son, Sheikh Kamal.
So if their birthdays can be celebrated in this month, what harm have the other people done to the country’s politics that they cannot celebrate their events?
However, in the end, we must agree that a tragedy is a tragedy. We should mourn the deaths of leaders. And again, we must not stop anyone from living his or her own life, when they don’t disturb others. We should all respect each other. That’s the only way a family, a community, and a nation can prosper.
