The devil was never given a chance to justify himself
When my kids ask me about some historical events whether it
is true or false, I use to repeat them one and the same joke. I have
already forgotten when I heard or read it first, but it is something
more than a banal joke. The joke is
Once upon a time the ambassadors of the US and the USSR in Bangladesh took part in a 100 m run race. They were the only participants. In that event the US ambassador came first. Next day the US News Papers wrote “Yesterday a 100 m run race took place in Dhaka. Ambassadors from different countries participated in that event. The US Ambassador won the race, while the USSR ambassador came last.” The USSR News Papers wrote “Yesterday a 100 m run race took place in Dhaka. Ambassadors from different countries participated in that event. The USSR Ambassador came second, while the US ambassador was the next to last.”
Indeed, both sides were right, except that none of them gave the number of participants. So depending on the presentation the same thing could sound differently. The history is written by the winners and always in their favor. And though the history is made by the common people, only the kings and their ministers take the credit.
Friend Suprio Malakar Shuvo recently shared the link on FB, BBC News - Bangladesh war crimes: First charges filed. It is long expected and welcomes news for pro-liberation people in Bangladesh and could be good as well for those, who are on the other side of the barricade.
Yes, I believe this trial should take place and criminals should be punished. But there are still a few questions that need to be addressed. I told the joke, not just for the sake of telling it, my motto was a bit different. First of all, people who believed in united Pakistan did nothing wrong believing it as well as people who fought for independence. People of this part voted for independent Pakistan not that long ago and they had their dreams. Some still hoped they will attain it, others realized that under the Pak ruler they are never going to get their dream come true. Should the result of the war went other way round, these so called anti-liberation force became the heroes and definitely tried freedom fighters for anti-Pakistan activities. Fortunately, the majority of Bangladeshi people came out to be winner and we should very carefully handle the matter of judgment. In case we did it in 1972 just after the war, it had another color and effect. Now, after 40 years of independence when we have already three generations of people who never lived in Pakistan, things should be a bit different. Many of those, who fought for Pakistan, have sons or daughters or grandsons or granddaughters who were born in independent Bangladesh. So we should be careful taking the decision, so that not a Bangladeshi could blame us for making their elders victim for their faith. They should be tried, but tried for their wrong doings, for mass killings, genocide and raping. And the authority should do everything to prove that. Unless they do it, they will discredit not only themselves, but also justice itself. Moreover, the other party will try their best to color this process as revenge. I strongly hope and believe that people of Bangladesh deserve a free and objective trial of war criminals. And we need it not because we seek some ones blood, but we have to show the world that in independent Bangladesh everyone who are guilty for committing crime against humanity will be taken to justice no matter when it took place.
I say, show the world, because in my opinion world leaders are not leading us by example, or they are trying to be God. Last few years we see US-UK-France leaders are doing it unilaterally. They nominate someone guilty for all wrong doings; bomb them with all their luckless people, and when they found it hard to sell, just state that democracy needs sacrifice. Unfortunately, it is not the preachers of democracy who scarify; these are the poor people of third world who forced to scarify their lives. In this world leaders are very similar to God. Why? The devil was driven out of the Heaven for disobedience. But the judgment was unilaterally, as the devil was never given a chance to justify himself. Man is called the best creature. We should justify this, giving chances to those who are now under trial, to defend themselves. But we have enough proofs to take the matter to its logical end and win this unfinished war with legal means.
Bijan Saha
Dubna, 15.10.2011
Once upon a time the ambassadors of the US and the USSR in Bangladesh took part in a 100 m run race. They were the only participants. In that event the US ambassador came first. Next day the US News Papers wrote “Yesterday a 100 m run race took place in Dhaka. Ambassadors from different countries participated in that event. The US Ambassador won the race, while the USSR ambassador came last.” The USSR News Papers wrote “Yesterday a 100 m run race took place in Dhaka. Ambassadors from different countries participated in that event. The USSR Ambassador came second, while the US ambassador was the next to last.”
Indeed, both sides were right, except that none of them gave the number of participants. So depending on the presentation the same thing could sound differently. The history is written by the winners and always in their favor. And though the history is made by the common people, only the kings and their ministers take the credit.
Friend Suprio Malakar Shuvo recently shared the link on FB, BBC News - Bangladesh war crimes: First charges filed. It is long expected and welcomes news for pro-liberation people in Bangladesh and could be good as well for those, who are on the other side of the barricade.
Yes, I believe this trial should take place and criminals should be punished. But there are still a few questions that need to be addressed. I told the joke, not just for the sake of telling it, my motto was a bit different. First of all, people who believed in united Pakistan did nothing wrong believing it as well as people who fought for independence. People of this part voted for independent Pakistan not that long ago and they had their dreams. Some still hoped they will attain it, others realized that under the Pak ruler they are never going to get their dream come true. Should the result of the war went other way round, these so called anti-liberation force became the heroes and definitely tried freedom fighters for anti-Pakistan activities. Fortunately, the majority of Bangladeshi people came out to be winner and we should very carefully handle the matter of judgment. In case we did it in 1972 just after the war, it had another color and effect. Now, after 40 years of independence when we have already three generations of people who never lived in Pakistan, things should be a bit different. Many of those, who fought for Pakistan, have sons or daughters or grandsons or granddaughters who were born in independent Bangladesh. So we should be careful taking the decision, so that not a Bangladeshi could blame us for making their elders victim for their faith. They should be tried, but tried for their wrong doings, for mass killings, genocide and raping. And the authority should do everything to prove that. Unless they do it, they will discredit not only themselves, but also justice itself. Moreover, the other party will try their best to color this process as revenge. I strongly hope and believe that people of Bangladesh deserve a free and objective trial of war criminals. And we need it not because we seek some ones blood, but we have to show the world that in independent Bangladesh everyone who are guilty for committing crime against humanity will be taken to justice no matter when it took place.
I say, show the world, because in my opinion world leaders are not leading us by example, or they are trying to be God. Last few years we see US-UK-France leaders are doing it unilaterally. They nominate someone guilty for all wrong doings; bomb them with all their luckless people, and when they found it hard to sell, just state that democracy needs sacrifice. Unfortunately, it is not the preachers of democracy who scarify; these are the poor people of third world who forced to scarify their lives. In this world leaders are very similar to God. Why? The devil was driven out of the Heaven for disobedience. But the judgment was unilaterally, as the devil was never given a chance to justify himself. Man is called the best creature. We should justify this, giving chances to those who are now under trial, to defend themselves. But we have enough proofs to take the matter to its logical end and win this unfinished war with legal means.
Bijan Saha
Dubna, 15.10.2011
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