Buying morality with money?

By: Sunita Paul

Although I have been writing on various issues for past few decades, in recent weeks, there are certain strange things happening with me, which puts me into severe curiosity about the fate of democracy and sincerity of the politicians, who claim to be custodians of democracy.

Especially after the brutal massacre in Bangladesh's capital Dhaka on February 25-26, 2009, where a large number of army officers were virtually slaughtered and many females dishonored, it was my conscious, which moved me in continuing to write on this extremely important issue. And, this is for the first time; I have been experiencing extremely strange behavior by a number of elements, which possibly belong to the ruling party in Dhaka.

While, many of the intellectuals and writers known to be loyalists of the ruling party are frantically attempting in maligning my image as well credibility, a number of emails, which I received in past 8 days put me into absolute shock!

Let me just cite here one of the mails, which I consider to be most interesting, ridiculous and strange:

“Dear Ms. Paul, I have been instructed by several senior leaders of Bangladesh Awami League to communicate with you on a very important issue. For last few days, you have been continuing to write on the BDR mutiny issue, which mostly contain wrong or false information. Possibly some of your contacts in Dhaka are providing such misleading information to a reputed writer like you, causing serious damage in your reputation and credibility.

“Although you are putting allegation on some of our leaders as collaborators of the mutineers, in reality, Criminal Investigation Department has already found proof of involvement of Barrister Abdur Razzak, a central leader of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami. There are also specific clues with Bangladeshi intelligence agencies on the involvement of many BNP and Jamaat leaders behind this mutiny.

“We want to firmly mention here that the mutiny was conspired to destabilize the present most popular government in Bangladesh. Our leader Sheikh Hasina is leading the nation towards economic emancipation and prosperity with her Vision 2021 plan. The mutiny is a great conspiracy against secularist forces in Bangladesh.

“Bangladesh Awami League shall be grateful to contact you in person with several important clues and information on the mutiny, which might be very resourceful for your future writings on this issue. Kindly let us know, how much you may charge for each of your articles on the mutiny and other issues related to Bangladesh, which shall be borne graciously by our party.

“I believe, you will, by accepting my offer shall begin cooperation between Bangladesh Awami League and your good self. We are ready to compensate you in most handsome manner for your valuable works.”

On receiving this extremely interesting thus very strange mail from a responsible individual working on behalf of the ruling party in Bangladesh, I was utterly surprised to think as to how any government can even make such naked attempts in buying the pen or conscious of a writer with the lure of 'handsome compensation'.

Why such frantic bid in buying morality of a writer? Is it just because they failed to silence me with wild media propaganda? And, of course, I immediately decided to publish the fact of this 'secret' mail to my readers to let them ascertain the degree of immorality and dishonesty of some politicians in Bangladesh.

Moreover, this mail and previous rowdy propaganda by the rulers in Dhaka convincingly tell that they are unwilling to uncover the truth behind the BDR massacre. They also are suffering from unknown fear in letting people of Bangladesh finally know the killers and perpetrators of this most heinous crime. I really do not know, how many voices and pens they might already have managed or purchased with 'handsome compensation' by now.

Finally, one more point. In recent days, Bangladesh Awami League is almost on a regular basis, creating newer issues starting from cabinet decision in canceling the lease of Mrs. Zia's residence inside garrison to student's unrest etc. If I correctly understand, such new issues are gradually subsiding the most important massacre issue at least in media's coverage. This is precisely what the rulers are looking for. But, sensible, unbiased and patriotic media in Bangladesh should not move their focus from the BDR massacre issue until the investigation report is published and the culprits are tried.

Greetings to my Bengali readers of Baishakhi and Christian readers on Eastern Sunday!