“War crimes trial: We should be united behind it”
Apropos Shahedul Anam's above-titled piece published on 18 July, every picture has at least two sides. For instance, even today, despite all the talk of liberation, the fact, ironically, remains that Bangladesh is just a new name for 'East Pakistan.'
As to dividing the nation it seems to have been lost on the learned brigadier that revenge refreshes wounds; forgiveness heals. The Prophet (pbuh) was the exemplar of this postulate. Instead of punishing the people of Mecca for their crimes, he forgave them all after his victory and triumphant entry into the city of Mecca. That noble action healed all wounds and led the foundation of a united society.
This is no attempt to seek any clemency for the convicts. Revenge-seekers are welcome to hang Ghulam Azam and all the rest of the batch and even throw their remains to the dogs and vultures. For the short term, it would look like a grand achievement. But its long-term fallout may be very harmful. The passion-filled appeal of the learned brigadier to stand behind the guilty verdict against the accused betrays his (serious) misgiving that executing the death sentences would more likely perpetuate and further widen the divide.
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