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Release the Arrested University Teachers Immediately Published on August 28, 2007
Dear Honorable Chief Adviser, We are horrified to learn that no other than but your caretaker government, which we consider as most gentle and civilized government of Bangladesh in recent past, arrested as many as five senior university professors of Dhaka and Rajshahi Universities on the alleged suspicion that these teachers holding distinguished academic posts (such as erstwhile VC, dean, head etc.. ) in the university were involved in organizing anti-government demonstrations and agitation outside the university campus. The arrested teachers are:
Honorable Mr. Chief Adviser, barring the arrests of several teachers during Pakistani occupation period in 1971, before or after no government in Bangladesh (including governments of Pakistani days) had arrested any university teacher for criticizing a sitting government or even participating in anti government movement(s). Sir, in this respect your government certainly made a history when it had picked up five senior professors in the dead night in a Gestapo style by the disciplined force in civil dress and put them under police remand for interrogation. By arresting several university teachers in this way, and closing down the university your government has shown little respect to the academic community and university autonomy. Certainly criticism of a sitting government or even participation in a non-violent resentment against the government should be treated as offence amounting to arrest. Your government treated these professors, each one is distinguished in his own field, as if they were criminals of third grade. In no way we are convinced that they are anti-state elements, anti-socials, but might be critic of your government on many policy issues, but certainly they could not be held responsible for organizing, least participating in violent public demonstrations held out side the campus from 22 August on wards in the country. On the contrary, it is interesting to note that you picked up those teachers who are known to be progressive, believer in liberal democracy, secularism, anti-communalism and anti-fundamentalism; pro jamat & pro BNP teachers, though participated in the present agitation within the campus remained untouched so far. Was it not a motivated political step taken by your government, sir- we beg to ask?
We all know the current military-backed CTG took over power
amid chaos, unrest and rampant corruption created by the
previous BNP-Jamat government, politicians and bureaucrats
country wide. We hoped the CTG�s main
focus would be - taking all necessary steps to create a
level playing field to ensure a free and fair election
although Bangladesh has many other pressing issues of
irregularities. Unlike the past governments, we thought for
the first time we saw some rays of hope for a progressive,
free and corruption-free democracy. But as time progressed,
it seemed to us, the CTG became more political than
necessary and in many ways, deviated from its chief mission.
Despite his repeated utterances that army has no interest in
politics General Moeen himself continued issuing explicitly
politically biased speeches on several occasions. We believe
General Moeen�s role in controlling and influencing the CTG
to some extent has given a wrong signal to military personal
that they are somewhat �the masters� of the people. Or else,
how does one account for so many cases of gross human rights
violations since the CTG came to power? The recent example
of army and police force�s brutal attack on students in
Dhaka only reaffirms us of army and police�s arrogant and
imperious attitude. Although it is true that you as chief
adviser have expressed sorrow and took some
actions to appease the agitated students and people
nationwide, the unwarranted and unjustified arrest of five
respected university teachers makes your
sincerity a suspect in the public eye.
Last but not the least-
We sincerely hope it is still
not too late for you to set
up a good precedent for the future governments. That said,
we submit to you sir, as chief adviser of the CTG - taking the
above-mentioned steps would only help the government achieve
its long term goal; at least this is what we believe. August 28, 2007 Note: If you agree with the statement of above petition, we request- you kindly make your voice heard. Sign it HERE :
see our other petitions and statements
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