Begum Zia's house

Shafiqul Islam, NY
There has been a lot of talks, passing of opinions and hot debates between the pundits on both sides on the legality of lease and cancellation of lease etc., since the prime minister invited Begum Zia to return the government property in the cantonment, leased to her by the Ershad government. When we listen to those pundits' arguments on their side of logic, we get confused as to who is right. To us, it seems both sides are right. Whoever may be correct or whoever may be incorrect, we believe Begum Khaleda Zia is living in a house that belongs to the government. Either legally or illegally allotted, she is occupying this state property on lease. She is not the real owner of this house. She was given this house out of sympathy because her husband had been killed in a coup attempt. She has been occupying this temporarily allotted government property for more than 27 years and wants to keep it forever. She is no more insolvent. Since the birth of Bangladesh, many widows of freedom fighters like her did not get any such help from the government. She was twice prime minister, and her family is rich now. So, she has enjoyed enough help from the state. How long does she deserve this facility? Now, the authorities have served her a notice to vacate it, and if the law cannot protect her legally, she will have to vacate the house after the legal battle is over. Will it be a nice exit? I hope she should look for the answer.