Nizami boyan, Bush wisdom and Saifur somersault
WORLDWIDE so many people are saying so many things, often to our utter amazement! Sometimes it becomes quite a chore keeping track of them. So here is a little compilation with anecdotes of what some IP, VIP and VVIP said in recent days. Let us start with Janab Matiur Rahman Nizami of Jaamat e Islami. He hardly opens his mouth these days unless he is double sure that it won't land him in trouble with people he should not mess around with. Hence, he has been keeping a low profile and keeping tight-lipped since 1/11.
But last week he gave a blessed boyan (sermon) for the nation. He said one could not end corruption by exerting force or giving slogans against it. By Jove! How can we do it then? He went on to give a long lecture on how to end corruption, but instead of going into the details let us give you the bottom line. He asked us to place the state power in the hands of "people" who would follow the edicts and statutes given in Islam to establish a corruption-free society.
But what about now? How do you fight corruption now, in a democratically run state? Shall we wait until Nizami's dream come true? Maybe that is the reason why he did not say anything clearly about his stand on the issue of fighting corruption at political level at the moment.
We remember Janab Nizami was a part of the state power for five years but we did not see him ever standing up boldly in parliament to protest against all sorts of corruption and looting that was going on around him! Surely those are not permitted in Islam! Did he protest against the encroachment of the forests, lakes, rivers and the sea beach by the people in power? Did he object to the infamous 14th amendment of the constitution, when it was being tabled for approval? Was it not the Mother of all Corruptions, if we may put it that way? If it was immoral then he and his party were party to it. If it was unlawful, he and his party were party to it.
Did Janab Nizami or anyone from his party utter a word against blatant politicisation of the Public Service Commission, the Election Commission and other similar commissions? They did not because they believed in enjoying power as long as it lasted, and for this reason did not protest the un-Islamic things going around. The fact is, Nizami and the likes of him find every opportunity to use Islam for their own earthly gain. There is nothing esoteric about it. It's plain and simple.
It is a common perception that his own kind in the brotherhood might engage in the worst possible internecine fighting and back-stabbing to overthrow him and his comrades if ever they can usurp state power. There are reasons to believe that the numerous factions of the religious groups cannot tolerate one another, as a result, they will let loose an orgy of bloodbath in the country once any one faction comes to power. So much for Nizami boyan.
Now let us dare to brush shoulders with the mighty 'un. President Bush of the US has asked the Indians not to eat so ravenously, and thereby cause a worldwide famine. Indians beware! Pay heed. Eating more is a prerogative of the Americans, so eat less. No, no, don't say that obesity from over-eating is an American national problem not Indian. And never say that with the amount of food that is wasted in the US everyday you can feed the entire population of many villages in India. When Mr. Bush says something you better listen. I hope there was no food shortage in President Bush's daughter's wedding.
And oh! He has also asked you guys not to go on a long drive with family on weekends. Why? Because, that way you burn lots and lots of gas (petrol/octane). Don't you know that long drive is another prerogative of the Americans? And don't you know that because you burn fuel on such drives prices of gasoline goes up there? How could you be so ignorant! Anyway, pay heed to what he says unless you want to find clones of Rambo hiding behind every sheaf in your cornfield one fine morning. A preemptive landing in search of "Food for Mass Consumption."
Well, let's return to Bangladesh where much more has been happening in the political front. At the moment it seems the stage show is gong on without any script. Actors have forgotten their lines, therefore, they and their sidekicks are making it up on stage to create some great moments of hilarity. The latest came from a very ailing Saifur Rahman, whose utterance shocked his sidekicks to silence.
They are now trying to find out why Saifur Rahman said what he said about the post of vice-chairman being irrelevant. It was a veritable somersault they were not prepared for. They are scratching their heads and saying to one another: "Brother, that line was not supposed to be there in the script! Where did he get it!"
The equation in BNP is changing so fast that it is becoming difficult to keep track of who is holding what post, who is belonging to which faction, who is saying what to who and who is interpreting it for whom with what intention. Whew! The Hannan-Mannan-Delwar-Hafiz-Saifur-Mahboobur Rahman merry-go-round is causing dizzy spells in the onlookers. The sooner the circus ends the better.
Comments