By Biplab Kumar Poddar
Advocate-Supreme Court and Joint Convener of Gono Odhikar Parishad
As a representative of the young generation of Bangladesh, a country with a population of 180 million, Nurul Haque Nur has witnessed firsthand the struggles faced in the fight for democracy and human rights. This article is aimed at to shed some light on the insidious campaign launched against him by the government of Sheikh Hasina, which aims to tarnish his image and undermine the progress made him and his party so far.
Bangladesh, a nation that prides itself on its democratic ideals, has fallen prey to a regime that defies political norms and tramples on the principles of justice. Sheikh Hasina’s draconian rule has left a trail of oppression, silencing opposition forces and stifling any voice that speaks out for democracy and human rights. The vision for a better Bangladesh, one that upholds the values of peace, prosperity, and justice, has become a threat to those in power.
Having been catapulted into the political arena as the member-secretary of Gono Odhikar Parishad (People’s Rights Party), Nur is still navigating the intricate world of politics, where spin-doctoring and character assassination campaigns are employed to undermine the growth and achievements of the budding politicians who pose to challenge the status que. Naïve and simple as he may be, Nur remains resolute in his dedication to the welfare of the Bangladeshi people and national interests being oblivious of all such polys that could potentially harm his public image.
Recent events have seen a schism emerge within the senior leadership of Gono Odhikar Parishad, orchestrated by the government’s divisive tactics. Even Dr. Reza Kibria, the former convenor of Gono Odhikar Parishad, a renowned academician and IMF expert, has unfortunately succumbed to the divide-and-rule strategy. It pains Nur and his ardent followers to witness such disunity within the movement, which was initially formed by honest youths who stood against the tyranny of the student wing of the ruling Awami League.
In the relentless pursuit of justice and democratic rights against Sheikh Hasina’s tyrannical rule, the students led by Nur took the bold step of forming a political platform. With the intention of seeking guidance and leadership, they invited Dr. Reza Kibria to act as the convenor of their newly formed party Gono Odhikar Parishad. Unfortunately, little did they know that he would prove to be even worse than his contemporaries within the Bangladeshi political landscape.
The decision to choose Dr. Reza Kibria was based on two considerations. Firstly, his impressive credentials from Oxford University, and secondly, his extensive exposure to Western democratic societies, which was believed to enable him to instill a developed democratic sense within the ranks of their newly formed party. However, it soon became apparent that he possessed an elitist attitude and mindset, constantly boasting about his privileged upbringing as the son of a former Bangladeshi diplomat. He seemed detached from the struggles of the common people, rarely participating in the GOP’s field campaigns as he was unaccustomed to such grassroots engagement.
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While Dr. Reza Kibria cited frequent foreign visits for his absence from the GOP’s political programs, it was discovered that he actively participated in parallel political events organized by the Insaf Kaim Committee without even informing the party seniors. This pseudo-platform, spearheaded by enigmatic figures like Farhad Mazhar and Showkat Mahmud, is widely rumoured to operate at the behest of DGFI, the formidable intelligence wing of the Sheikh Hasina government. Their sole purpose is to coax disgruntled politicians from various parties into participating in a staged general election under the optimistic guise of Sheikh Hasina’s repeated heinous tactics employed in the forged and rigged elections of 2014 and 2018.
To the great astonishment of the young leadership of GOP, it became clear that Dr. Reza Kibria had been enticed to join this dubious plan, promising him a high-ranking position in the next government if he chose to participate in an election under Sheikh Hasina. When the young leaders confronted him about this matter and sought clarification, he shamelessly resorted to character assassination of Nur and other senior leaders. He made baseless allegations against Nur, claiming that he received funds from abroad without providing any accounts. These allegations could not be further from the truth.
As someone who closely follows Nur for a long time, this author can help set the records straight. Nur’s party, Gono Odhikar Parishad, does NOT receive any foreign funds per se; It only receives donations and subscriptions from its well-wishers and activists primarily residing in the Middle East, most of whom are members of their Proabshi Odhikar Parishad. These donations, some as little as less than 50 pence, are carefully managed and accounted for by a five-member finance committee, a committee that Dr. Reza Kibria himself was aware of. His relentless pursuit of a perceived “big chair” has seemingly blinded him, leading him to even contemplate ousting Nur from the party that he founded and invited him to join.
Seeing the often contradictory and self-inflicting behaviour of Dr Kibria, young leaders of GOP often wonder how Oxford University could produce a graduate devoid of common sense and moral courage. Driven by his ambition, Dr. Reza Kibria has displayed audacity and stupidity by attacking Nur personally, falsely claiming that he has embezzled millions from the party’s funds. Those who know Nur personally and are aware of his humble lifestyle understand that he comes from a working-class family which he neither denies nor tries to hide. He recently faced financial difficulties when he struggled to pay a hospital bill of approximately $500 after the birth of his second daughter. It was only through the generosity of the doctors of the hospital, who voluntarily waived 80% of the bill, that he was able to avoid defaulting. Dr. Reza Kibria knows these facts, yet he continues to spread venomous lies against Nur through social media.
In this lush green delta lovingly called Bangladesh, the majority of our great-grandfathers and beyond belonged to the peasantry. Nur is not ashamed of his humble origins; in fact, he takes pride in them. When Dr Kibria distastefully hurls attacks on Nur’s family and ancestry, it is only natural that his followers at GOP are curious to learn the professions of Dr. Reza Kibria’s ancestors past his luminous father. It seems that Dr. Reza Kibria has allowed his perceived mistreatment and bullying by his white classmates during his education abroad to cloud his judgment. However, the resilient youth of Bangladesh is immune to such bullying tactics, having grown up in a country marred by chaos and anarchy. They simply learnt to ignore the pseudo élites and live without them.
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Dr. Reza Kibria, they implore you to redirect your efforts elsewhere. Do not transfer the injustices you may have experienced abroad or at Gono Forum onto the dedicated activists of Gono Odhikar Parishad. They will continue to fight for the rights of the people, undeterred by your betrayal. The mirage of your perceived “big chair” will soon fade away, while their commitment to a better Bangladesh remains unwavering.
Since Dr. Reza Kibria has given a ‘weapon’, in order to further stain Nur’s image, a baseless campaign has been orchestrated against him by the Palestinian ambassador in Dhaka, acting under the direction of the Hasina government. False allegations have been concocted, suggesting that Nur met with an alleged Israeli agent named Mendi Safadi in three places, namely Qatar, India, and UAE. Such claims are nothing but fabrications aimed at derailing any meaningful opposition to Sheikh Hasina’s regime and distracting people’s attention to somewhere else.
The absurdity of these allegations must be emphasized. Nur has never visited India, as claimed by the Palestinian ambassador. His only visits abroad have been to Qatar during the World Cup and subsequently to meet friends he made during his first visit. As a public figure and a popular youth leader, he has encountered numerous individuals, including non-resident Bangladeshis and foreign nationals, who sought to have their pictures taken with him, as is the norm in the age of social media. To suggest that he would willingly associate with an alleged Israeli agent is preposterous and defies all logic. When does Israel started employing spies who meet the public figures in broad day light, pose for pictures and circulate them on social media?
Regrettably, even renowned online activists such as Pinaki Bhattacharya and Elias Hossain, who have tirelessly campaigned against Sheikh Hasina, have fallen victim to this web of deception. Instead of focusing their energy on bringing down the oppressive regime, they have diverted their efforts towards attacking Nur. These social media activists, with their perceived intellect and analytical skills, have unknowingly become pawns in Hasina’s propaganda machine, engaging in a self-destructive battle.
However, the Hasina government and its side-kicks will not succeed in derailing Gono Odhikar Parishad from its noble mission of establishing a free and fair society in a democratic Bangladesh, where the rights of the people are respected, and governance is geared towards the welfare of the citizenry. Nur and his party firmly declared that they will not participate in any staged elections reminiscent of those held in 2014 and 2018.
Bangladeshi millennials are a generation that has matured and become more thoughtful. They are keenly observing the situation with eyes wide open, and they are determined to realize their demands for a better society. It is evident that no elections held under Sheikh Hasina’s leadership can bring about the change they seek. She must step down before December 2023, and a non-partisan caretaker government is the only viable solution to avoid further chaos and bloodshed.
The economic indicators are alarming, and their country is on the brink of plunging into an abyss. It is crucial for patriotic forces to unite and compel Hasina to resign. While their enemies may temporarily succeed in confusing the people about Gono Odhikar Parishad, the truth will ultimately prevail. In due time, millions more will join their cause, recognizing the righteousness of their struggle.
The dedicated activists of Gono Odhikar Parishad under the able leadership of Nur hold hope for a better future, one where justice, peace, and prosperity prevail. As they stand together, hand in hand, they pledge to fight for the rights of the people across this land. Gono Odhikar Parishad, their voices are strong, and they envision a future where all citizens can belong. Nothing can stand on their way. They are as united as ever; they will defy all odds and march forward, singing their party song:
Oh, we stand together, hand in hand,
For the rights of the people, across this land,
Gono Odhikar Parishad, our voices strong,
A future of peace, prosperity, where we all belong.
Nur stands before the nation today, not as a perpetrator, but as a victim. The Hasina regime’s attempts to tarnish his image and sow seeds of doubt among the public are an affront to democracy and the principles they hold dear. They implore the national to see through these malicious tactics and support their cause for a democratic Bangladesh that respects the rights and aspirations of its people.
As the representative of the young generation, Nur remains committed to the values of democracy, universal human rights, and a better governance system. Together, they will overcome the hurdles thrown their way and continue their journey towards a Bangladesh that thrives in peace, prosperity, and harmony.
Together, let us strive for a Bangladesh that embodies the true spirit of democracy, where the voices of the people are heard, and their rights are upheld.
Writer: Advocate-Supreme Court and Joint Convener of Gono Odhikar Parishad
