Renaming BDR
A letter was published in your daily of 13 May 09 with the above caption.
One gentleman has expressed his 'strong protest' to suggested change of name and uniform of BDR. He felt this will not bring discipline. He has also mentioned that, “We cannot justify some retired officers' advice to change the name of BDR.”
Any one who has suggested the name and uniform change has not done it due to hatred for BDR. It is to save the present and future BDR personnel from carrying the stigma of 'Butchers of Pilkhana'. All ranks of BDR who were not involved in the mutiny (they are the large majority) are deeply ashamed of the carnage their fellow men carried out on 25th and 26th February 2009. Now the name BDR is synonymous with cold blooded murder and rape. Whenever in future the name BDR will be mentioned or their present uniform will be seen by general public, they will hate the force. This will very adversely affect the morale of the force. A force with low morale will be inefficient.
Some other people like this gentleman have also objected to change of name and uniform of BDR. They have stated that in the past mutiny has taken place in our Army and Air force, their name has not been changed. Bangladesh Rifles is not a generic name but Army and Air Force are generic names. The name of the country is prefixed to Army, Navy and Air Force. Like Indian Army, US Navy, French Air Force. So, name of the defence forces cannot be changed. Name of police cannot also be changed The name of a para military outfit can be changed.
To save the present and future personnel of our paramilitary force from carrying the stigma of 'Butchers of Pilkhana', it must have a new name and new uniform.
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