Editor's Pick

No, the stigma is still there

2 February 2010, 18:00 PM
EDITORIAL
Shamsuddin Ahmed
WITH the execution of the five convicts of the Bangabandhu murder in the early hours of January 28, there was jubilation across the country. Yes, we have reasons to be happy, because justice has been vindicated in this case -- although the nation had to wait for a long 34 years to see it happen. One prominent AL leader said that with the hangings of the five convicts, the nation is now free of the stigma of justice that had been denied all these years, following the tragic assassination of Bangabandhu together with his family members on August 15, 1975. No, the stigma will not go away just because some of the self-confessed killers have been hanged. It will be there even if all the absconding six convicts are brought back to the country and executed. The stigma and the stain the nation has suffered are far too large and deep to be wiped out so easily. Is it only the few misguided young army officers involved in the killing of Bangabandhu whose trial and punishment will erase the stain from the face of this nation? No. A man of the stature of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who stood taller than the tallest amongst us, could not have been killed the way he was murdered if power-hungry politicians had not used these army officers as pawns in their political chessboard to grab state power; with a view to taking this country back to the Pakistani format of politics. We now know who were calling the shots from behind the scene when the August 15 tragedy had unfolded. We know who, close on the heels of the August 15 tragedy, appeared on centre stage of our mainstream politics and ruled this country for 26 long years. We know who lionised these killers, arranged their safe passage abroad, rewarded them by promotion in rank and absorption in government service, and indemnified them from trial by enacting law. We also know who allowed them to float a political party and romp about at home and abroad in wealth and glory for 21 years before they were brought to justice during the AL government in 1996. Do we now not know about those who are shedding tears at the turn of events, culminating in the just and fair trial and conviction of these killers? These people need to be brought to justice not only for the innocent blood spilled, but also for misguiding and using young army officers in order to commit such a horrendous crime that has tarnished the image of our army. Until this is done, their guilt will continue to haunt the nation. And so will the shame and the stigma on the face of this country. When a politician-cum-cleric says that there would not have been any August 15 tragedy if there had been no fourth amendment to the constitution, does he not clearly mean what he and people of his fraternity stand for? Does he not convey the implied opinion that in politics it is fair to kill even the innocent in the pursuit of political ideology? Is it not a disgrace for this nation that we have to bear with these people in and out of power all these years, knowing very well that most of their hands are stained with the blood of the August 15 tragedy? Can we hold our heads high as a nation when we have tried and punished the killers, but let go of those who masterminded and helped enact this horrendous tragedy and remained unrepentant for their crime? There can be no crime more heinous than murder in cold blood. But it is a pity that in this country power-hungry people don't hesitate in killing others for the sake of power, and show no qualms to protect the killers. Is it not a matter of shame that the nation had to wait for 34 years to track down and punish the killers of Bangabandhu because no government other the AL, headed by Sheikh Hasina, would be interested in bringing the killers to justice? Had there been a rule of law and democracy in this country, the killers would have walked the gallows a long time ago. Let this government take it as a challenge and focus with a clear commitment to establish a rule of law and democracy to ensure that all killers and their godfathers are punished equally. Otherwise there will be a repeat of the Bangabandhu murder case, and the spectre of political murders will continue to haunt the nation.
Brig Gen Shamsuddin Ahmed (retd) is a former Military Secretary to the President.

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