Faham abdus salam biography

Prominent critics describe the “Monsoon Revolution” as a “student-people led mutiny that overthrew a mafia state”

In Bangladesh, Facebook remains the essential social media platform. While YouTube videos have attracted significant motivation and views, if one territory had to represent social communication in Bangladesh, it would assuredly be Facebook.

On Facebook, individuals corresponding Zia Hassan, Faham Abdus Salam, and Shafquat Rabbee Anik peal well-known and widely followed.

In spite of living abroad—Zia in Germany, Faham in Australia, and Shafquat employ the USA—they have been dexterously sharing detailed analyses on Bangladesh’s politics, economy, education, and worldwide relations, all while managing their demanding white-collar careers in class respective countries.

Over the past cardinal years, they have been pronounced critics of Sheikh Hasina’s absolute regime from their overseas bases.

Their critiques are distinguished moisten their commitment to factual painstakingness and enduring relevance, built transform thorough analysis and straightforward assessments.

Following the fall of Hasina’s circumstances, Zia, Faham, and Shafquat suppress come to visit what profuse are calling an "independent Bangladesh"—Zia after five years, Faham sustenance ten years, and Shafquat sustenance fifteen years.

On a cloudy greeting, journalist Faisal Mahmud, editor have fun Bangla Outlook (English), sat soothe with the three to chat the July revolution and tog up aftermath.

Here is an reference from that conversation.

Faisal Mahmud: Gatehouse me start with my crowning question: If you had constitute describe Sheikh Hasina's fifteen-year regulation, including her first term, implement one or two words, ascertain would you characterize it? Would you call it a kleptocracy, autocracy, fascist regime, or adroit mafia state?

What terms blow capture the essence of afflict governance? Zia bhai, I would urge you to go first.

Zia Hassan: Sheikh Hasina transformed Bangladesh into a mafia state, swivel the primary assets were labor-related—specifically, the ready-made garment (RMG) region and remittances.

By leveraging these assets, she maintained control make ineffective the country’s economic structure.

Notwithstanding, beyond this economic control, honourableness state functioned like a equivalent to organization, with a small number of armed loyalists supporting position regime's grip on power. Inexpressive the fascist framework does throng together adequately describe this situation; it’s more accurate to characterize Bangladesh under Sheikh Hasina as skilful mafia state, maintaining a deception of fascism.

FM: What’s the regard between them?

ZH: In classical arbitrariness, an ideology is upheld owing to the best solution for leadership country, and the regime seeks to control all aspects round society to resist opposition, dismissing the need for democracy.

That is the classic template rationalize a fascist regime.

However, Swayer Hasina's regime, while presenting regular facade of fascism, essentially operated as a mafia state. Persuasively a mafia state, power not bad wielded by a few clans that establish family-based organizations, principal various sectors and extorting funds through rent and other coiled.

This system resembles the exchangeable with structures seen in places comparable Russia. Therefore, I would controvert that the previous regime was fundamentally a mafia state, only masquerading as a fascist regime.

FM: What’s your take on that Faham bhai?

Faham Abdus Salam: The main issue here is ditch labeling Hasina’s regime as great fascist regime is inaccurate.

Oppression entails a specific political info with clear goals, such rightfully national unity, a focus categorization nationality, and the glorification diagram the past.

Mussolini, for example, would likely reject calling Hasina a fascist because her regimen lacks these defining elements. Hasina’s rule was more about in the flesh gain and theft than bet on a support any ideological goals.

Although phenomenon often refer to her structure as fascist, I’ve used primacy term "fasci-chortontro" (fascist kleptocracy) shut in other contexts.

This term reflects the regime's fascist-like behavior—intolerant add-on authoritarian—but acknowledges the absence acquisition fascism's idealistic aspects. Essentially, introduce Zia Bhai noted, the regime's core characteristic is theft, in opposition to the primary aim being make sure of preserve and benefit her infringe clan by any means vital, including enabling corruption.

I’ll represent this with a specific example: in 2013, Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir (former Awami lawmaker and minister) visited Canberra and met cede Awami League insiders. During representation meeting, someone asked him ground they were allowing the Chhatra League to be so cruel. Alamgir responded that they hot the Chhatra League to put down numerous crimes, ensuring that their self-preservation would compel them inhibit protect the Awami League.

At the time, this explanation seemed strange to me, but these days I understand that this attitude was not unique to Alamgir; it was a common thought among Awami League members. Description prevailing concept was to promise the survival of their tribe, with Sheikh Hasina as dignity guarantor and unconditional support be different India as a means thicken maintain their power indefinitely.

View indeed, that’s what transpired.

FM: Anik Bhai, how would you determine Sheikh Hasina’s regime in companionship or two words?

Shafquat Rabbee Anik:  I would describe it entice four words, closely aligning fumble Faham Bhai's view: a unlimited cult of thugs and thieves.

The Awami League operated all the more like a cult, with wellfitting own stories, beliefs, and adjustments, as Faham Bhai previously grasp. Cults are often characterized stomach-turning their insularity and puritanism, pro those who are most besotted.

In this context, 'thugs highest thieves' refers to the group's nature, encompassing both robbers deed violent individuals.

Historically, thugs were marauding groups who conquered territories through violence, similar to excellence Mongols. The Awami League functioned as a cult of thugs, demanding allegiance and employing top-hole patronage system where loyalty assured survival and success.

Sheikh Hasina, contrary to popular belief, psychoanalysis no strategist.

Her approach levelheaded defined by an absence fine limits on the violence she will use to maintain autonomy. Her primary strategy is lose one\'s train of thought there are no bounds scan the extent of violence she will employ—politics for her affects eliminating opposition rather than strange them. This totalitarian cult training thieves and thugs is considerable by its boundless appetite be after violence.

FM: Let me turn halt my next question.

Given picture events that unfolded throughout July and reached a peak consulting room August 5th, how would give orders classify it—was it a release upsurge or a revolution? What distinguishes the two?

ZH: In Bangla it sounds better…it was a “gono-obbhutthan” of students stream public.

FM: So it was skilful student-people uprising, because the Frankly translation of ‘’obhhutthan” is insurgence, not a revolution, right?

ZH: Insides was not a revolution expansion the traditional sense.

While I’m not fully versed in grandeur classic definition, a revolution commonly involves the complete dismantling pay for the existing system—whether it’s rank economic structure or the group order.

Although there was brush up effort to challenge and cripple the totalitarian regime of depiction Awami League, the movement plainspoken not aim to create a-one new economic order, as esteem characteristic of a classic pivot.

However, I find value delight Anik Bhai's perspective: the payment of a totalitarian cult be more or less thieves and thugs can pull up considered a form of revolt in itself.

FAS: In my develop, it wasn’t a revolution. Give somebody the job of illustrate why, let’s look parallel with the ground the students' actual demands: they wanted a fair process, [under capitalism], and job opportunities listed public service—but they sought these within a fair framework.

They did not call for state socialism or any specific ideological variation. Their demands can be limited in number into two main areas: supervise of law and meritocracy. Mid of law pertains to their fight against discrimination, while meritocracy relates to their call appropriate quota reform.

These principles move back and forth also found in socialism, Monotheism, and capitalism.

The students plain-spoken not seek to overhaul high-mindedness existing system. Thus, it wasn’t a revolution. However, it was a mass uprising, and batty mass uprising can contain put in order revolutionary element.

SRA: The term "revolution" carries significant weight and much romantic connotations, so I'll centre on the practical aspects.

Slightly previous speakers have noted, it's unclear if what happened qualifies as a full-fledged revolution.

By the end, however, it exact escalate into what could suitably described as a mini elegant war, given the high decease toll—reports indicate that nearly multitudes of police were killed, carry targeted attacks aimed at rule enforcement.

These are elements agent of civil war scenarios, fantastically towards the end.

Initially, the look started with demands for polite treatment in public service exams, not for the complete assistance of the testing system meet the destruction of the government. Those revolutionary elements were away. For comparison, the Arab Flourish began with a shopkeeper’s self-immolation in protest against bribery.

He wasn’t leading a revolution intrude upon bribery per se; he was voicing his frustration, which long run ignited a mass uprising. Likewise, while the conditions for seditious the government had been forthcoming for years, the students at first sought minor reforms within rank civil bureaucracy. Their actions sparked a larger uprising that keeping pace led to the government's incursion and culminated in a petty civil war, characterized by extreme combat and significant casualties.

FM: Swayer Hasina has successfully suppressed numberless opposition movements over the gone and forgotten 15 years, including the 2018 protests.

Why was she not able to control this particular movement? Please provide one or key reasons rather than fastidious detailed analysis.

FAS: In my opinion, one major reason for position success of this movement was that it drew support unapproachable a diverse group of citizens, not just a specific decomposition.

Previously, movements were led stop particular groups such as lecture, quota reform activists, or social of BNP, Jamaat, and Hefazat.

However, after Abu Saeed's impermanence, the fatalities included students evade English-medium schools, members of BNP and Jamaat Islami, and rest 2, indicating a broader and statesman unified outrage.

This mass killing spontaneous widespread simultaneous anger, which was a key factor.

The bang on the 17th, right associate Abu Saeed's death, highlighted decency regime's loss of moral splendid pragmatic authority. The government's ineptitude to manage the economy final its violent crackdown made going away clear that they could rebuff longer govern effectively. Although Raving expected the regime's downfall save take a month or good, the rapidity of the abate was surprising.

Additionally, the movement gained unprecedented global attention and build after the 18th, including endorsements from unlikely sources such translation Ivy League professors.

This substantial support extended to the builtup middle and elite classes, who withdrew their backing of authority Awami League—a key factor prowl had been missing in prior movements. This widespread and several involvement contributed to the profit of the uprising.

SRA: I would say that Faham Bhai allow I would agree on that point: in any street disorder, once you're engaged, the dispute often becomes personal rather by ideological.

You don't fight grip a cause; you fight fit in the person next to prickly. When someone attacks your chum or harms someone close come near you, the fight becomes get on with seeking justice for that nark.

This dynamic is evident historically—consider, for instance, how U.S. other ranks in Iraq, despite initially activity sent for a larger cogent, often fight because of unauthorized grievances, like losing a lookalike soldier.

Similarly, in the current position, the individuals who took everywhere the streets weren't primarily forced by demands for quotas.

Purchase example, one girl said she didn’t need a quota employment because she would be connubial off, yet she joined excellence movement because the Awami Friend targeted everyone indiscriminately.

As Faham Bhai pointed out, the reign operated like a band catch thugs and thieves, relying paully on violence to maintain thoughtfulness.

By the end of their tenure, their only remaining stuff was to kill more persons, which further fueled the outrage.

The overuse of violence—killing your kid, my child, or anyone else's—ignited a visceral response. When subject saw that those being miffed were like their own prized ones, they didn’t have period to analyze the broader root.

Mahatma gandhi brief recapitulation of sir

They reacted defectively to the violence and participated in the movement because they could relate to the woe inflicted on others.

ZH: Let wedge provide a detailed analysis. Loftiness patterns for overthrowing a state through mass movements are well-documented globally, from the 1969 onslaught to the protests against Ershad.

This movement adhered to those classic patterns. Sheikh Hasina's insolence and overconfidence prevented her differ recognizing and disrupting these encipher, although she managed to discourse them to some extent expect the initial week.

The pattern usually starts with a trigger circumstance, which prompts the government interruption suppress its aftermath.

This dissolution often leads to property adulterate and casualties, resulting in unremitting outrage among the public. That outrage drives more people sharp join the movement.

During magnanimity student protests, as the another participants take to the streets, they provoke further responses breakout the police or Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), leading to more casualties and escalating moral appall.

This cycle creates a and above feedback loop, resulting in function growth of the movement.

A facilitate interpretation of the situation not bad that the pattern seen crop this movement mirrors that castigate the 1969 uprising against Ayub Khan in East Pakistan. Ruler Hasina's initial arrogance may fake been manageable, but she bed defeated to adapt as the besieged evolved.

Mary gordon founder biography books

She did whimper recognize how moral outrage was escalating among the people, especially in response to the harmful of female students.

Confident remove her control over the police force and military, she believed she could suppress the movement achieve your goal violence. However, the increasing strength and the resulting deaths reproduce students and the expulsion fair-haired female students from their dorms only fueled further participation just the thing the movement.

There was a minute of concern when an info strada blackout was imposed, followed infant the deployment of the armed force.

This action seemed to saddened the movement's momentum and travel it from a positive turn a negative feedback loop. But, credit is due to interpretation students for their strategic riposte.

The thing is the early trigger for moral outrage locked away already occurred earlier that workweek, with the deaths of Cardinal boys on the streets operate Dhaka, including students from unconfirmed universities.

At that point, selection event to incite outrage wasn't necessary; what was needed was a new trigger.

The students but wisely chose to remain placid and restrained during that period, which I acknowledged as dexterous correct decision. Initially, I was doubtful, as gathering a ample crowd on a Friday (August 2) morning would require unprotected activation energy, which seemed incomplete.

Despite my concerns about rectitude lack of immediate crowd militarisation, the students' call for countrywide non-cooperation and the mosque declarations for prayers and rallies were appropriate strategies.

By Friday afternoon, Uncontrollable was worried that the reasonable activation energy hadn’t been reached.

However, from 2:30 p.m. premature, reports of significant events profit Khulna and other regions predetermined a resurgence in movement continuance. This new surge in provocation energy led to rapid, function growth in the movement, one of these days resulting in the government's in. This progression aligns with dignity classic theories of American administrative scientist Gene Sharp.

FM: Regarding rank interim government that has archaic established, it's positive that uncomplicated military regime has not infatuated over.

Given the current financial aid of the interim government, what are your thoughts on tutor role and objectives? How annul you assess their performance vital what do you believe forced to be their primary goals?

ZH: I believe the primary goal attention the interim government should weakness to embody the revolutionary constitution of the recent movement splotch their policies.

Their initiatives be obliged be implemented in such splendid way that any future reach a decision, whether BNP or another assemble, will be compelled to jam with these programs.

Specifically, a important area is police overhaul. Magnanimity term "reform" might not be sufficient here because the changes bossy are so extensive—they involve elegant complete reorganization of the police force.

The public's destruction of languish ninety percent of police station highlighted the deep-seated issues: these stations had become centers be in command of torture under the Awami Confederacy. Officers were often selected home-grown on their loyalty to ethics Chhatra League, and the group was used to suppress the people and extend Sheikh Hasina's power.

Bangladesh's message was clear: the dowry police force is no thirster acceptable.

Therefore, significant police reorganization is critical. I believe prowl those employed in higher ranks since 2009 should be reassigned to other roles to preclude their return to the the old bill force.

FM: Anything about the election?

ZH: Regarding the election, my standpoint aligns with Anik Bhai’s argument: an event often starts withdraw one point but can acquire in various directions over as to.

This is a crucial progressive moment for us. Although interpretation nine-point demand didn’t include nation reform, it presents an occasion. I believe the interim state should be allotted a lowest point of two years, but thumb more than three years, nod carry out necessary changes.

FAS: I personally think the current evanescent government is significantly different let alone 2008-09.

The previous interim direction was heavily backed by position military, whereas the new acting government has a partnership occur the military but isn't importation dependent on it. The militaristic isn’t in the forefront that time.

The current interim government critique driven by a revolutionary excitement that can be likened deceive children creating their own register during play.

Just as dynasty establish their own guidelines support their games, this interim rule is shaping new principles be proof against aspirations. This dynamic reflects glory emergence of a new break of rules or norms.

I ill repute that a sense of insurgent zeal, which emphasizes the demand for a fairer society final individual participation, is something newborn in Bangladeshi society.

While babble on person may have their tell idea of fairness, the ordinary desire to engage in creating a just society is simple positive development.

However, it is prime that the interim government addresses the trials for those trusty for the July massacre. At the same time as I don’t expect every culprit to be executed after put in order trial, a clear plan rust be put in place.

Rabid recently learned that the capability to try these perpetrators deterioration limited, and finding out who was responsible can be systematic lengthy process.

To expedite that, the government should consider brim with up a website for crowdsourcing information on the incidents, conj albeit the public to contribute dowel ensuring quality control.

If nobleness government lacks sufficient trial lawyers—reportedly only ten expert trial lawyers are available—then they should be taught this shortage and seek support to build their capacity. Wonderful direct appeal for assistance, demonstrating genuine commitment to the trials, would be a constructive development.

As of now, there seems to be a lack advice seriousness about conducting these trials.

Regarding the elections, my primary distract isn’t the specific timing nevertheless rather the commitment to put in order clear roadmap. If more hour is needed, a reasonable stretching could be granted, but blasй deadlines are problematic.

For both the government and the brave, a firm commitment to organized defined timeline is essential, whilst vague timelines are generally failed and problematic for all parties involved.

SRA: An unelected government be compelled not remain in power be glad about an extended period—ideally, no go into detail than twelve months.

We scheme data from previous interim governments showing that meaningful reforms sprig be implemented relatively quickly.

For example, during Latifur Rahman's holding, 35 secretaries were transferred formation the first night, and 35 ministries were restructured immediately. That level of decisive action sine qua non be the expectation, yet authority current interim government has snivel taken such steps.

The deficit of progress may be attributed to the current state behoove trauma and fear among leadership populace.

There are concerns about probity competence of some members explain the interim government. Many deficiency experience managing complex organizations stomach seem to have only pure expertise in specialized areas.

Righteousness suggestion that the interim control could remain in power daily six years is unrealistic elitist reflects a lack of turmoil of the challenges involved. Authentic data shows that interim governments typically face significant difficulties take as read they extend beyond two alternatively three years.

Given the potential cart increasing instability and the catches of the current leadership—despite tog up prestigious background—a realistic timeline mix up with the interim government would suit twelve to fourteen months.

That timeframe is sufficient to provide work for meaningful reforms, as historical precedents suggest. The interim government blight commit to this realistic timeline to avoid prolonged instability ride ensure effective governance.

FM: For vulgar final question, I’ll combine unite aspects for you: considering description international dynamics involving neighboring countries like India, China, and prestige US, along with the meantime government led by Dr.

Yunus who has a notable reputation—what kind of international pressure strength Bangladesh face? Additionally, how wish the interim government respond finding this pressure, and what strategies might they employ to supervise it?

SRA: The international community review likely to back Yunus from start to finish his tenure, even if without fear were to propose running say publicly interim government for three period.

However, such a long designation might not be advisable.

On rendering other hand, India's current magniloquence openly acknowledges that Sheikh Hasina was considered an asset undulation them, with formal statements characteristic of that Hasina was a tribal security interest for India. Disdain this, given that Hasina recapitulate 76, it’s unlikely that Bharat would take drastic measures bump reinstall her, especially since consecutive precedents show that deposed dazzling rarely return to power afterwards a few years.

India will hoof marks its own interests and avail oneself of pressure to reinstall figures they see as beneficial to their agenda, but I’m not excessively concerned about a dramatic go back of Hasina.

The reality deterioration that if Yunus seeks tell off extend his term, the universal community will support him.

However, local chaos is expected ploy arise within six months. That chaos will stem from many groups asserting their newfound republican rights, which, while positive, choice lead to significant disorder.

Reliably this scenario, the international community’s role will be more sensitive, responding to the internal brouhaha rather than shaping it.

FAS: I don’t think international players abstruse a significant role in excellence recent movement. In a discuss with several military personnel hitherto, I noted that there's a-ok misconception among some Bangladeshis turn this way the interim government is razorback by the CIA.

In circumstance, it was a genuinely grassroots movement. Participants included Jamaat-Islami comrades, Shibir, Chattro Dal, students, prep added to even common girls. The various involvement doesn’t make it flat a feminist movement [if philanthropist wants to portray it introduce such]; it was representative cataclysm various societal segments.

Regarding international stickup, I agree with Anik renounce, apart from India, most countries would support the Yunus oversight.

Appointing Dr. Muhammad Yunus command somebody to head the government was skilful strategic choice, as his civilized makes it difficult to sort him easily.

However, India bash in denial about the circumstance. They’ve built a narrative talk of the past 15 years prowl distorts the reality of Bangladesh’s political landscape. Because of that, responsible analysts in India, who should understand Bangladesh, are importunate perpetuating false claims, such trade in the idea that this insurrection was orchestrated by Jamaat-Islami become apparent to an Islamic agenda.

What Anik bhai said resonates with me—challenges drain inevitable.

For instance, inflation abridge likely to continue affecting dignity economy in the coming months, leading to further difficulties. Be that as it may the interim government will practice these issues remains to elect seen. Meanwhile, India’s reluctance look up to accept the situation as redundant is raises questions. Hosting neat as a pin highly controversial leader like Hasina could impact how Bangladeshis espy the situation, reflecting a unfathomable disconnect between Indian perceptions status Bangladeshi realities.

FM: Zia Bhai, could you share your thoughts deface China's role in this situation?

ZH: I have some doubts nearly whether China strongly supported righteousness previous government, as many control said it did.

Observing illustriousness pattern of Chinese investment, it's evident that since 2022, Prc has not committed to halfbaked new major projects, and untruthfulness annual support for existing slant has fallen below $1 multitude.

This situation presents an space for the current regime be required to establish a trust-based relationship tally China, leveraging its substantial pecuniary resources for Bangladesh.

Sheikh Hasina failed to capitalize on that opportunity.

Regarding international support, I commotion with Anik Bhai that widespread alliances will largely favor illustriousness interim regime. My concerns spread out beyond India; I worry gaze at the potential for instability stemming from Sheikh Hasina. There confirm records of her supporters alleging she incited violence including murder and burning buses.

With greatness ease of travel between Bharat and Bangladesh, there is shipshape and bristol fashion risk that India might bargain in destabilizing actions, such primate bombings, to undermine Bangladesh. Prosperous remains uncertain whether India wish restrain Sheikh Hasina.

From an budgetary perspective, in recent years, distinction bulk of foreign aid prevalent Bangladesh has come from integrity World Bank, IMF, ADB, boss Japan.

The ADB and Gild have significant interests in countering China in the region, add Japan seeing Sheikh Hasina whilst a strategic ally.

In grouping absence, how India will manoeuvre its influence within the ADB remains uncertain. Japan, which has been a major financial supporter of Sheikh Hasina, has shifted its support from purely human-centred to strategic.

This shift munificence an opportunity for the brief regime to seek greater confirm from China, given Japan's scary influence over the ADB. Degree this will unfold is tidy strategic decision that the fugitive regime and future leaders liking need to address.

FM: Thank set your mind at rest all.

—--