A warrior had to leave
A crusader in the war against corruption, General Hasan Mashud Choudhury, had to leave in the end. He will be remembered as a man who, for the first time in the history of this corruption ridden country, tried his utmost to spearhead a campaign against corruption and succeeded in creating public awareness about the need to arrest the cancerous growth of this menace.
In a country where people in high positions do not resign from their posts, Hasan Mashud decided to walk away at the call of his conscience. He could have held on as long as he could because his is a constitutional post, and it would be no easy job removing him. That he decided otherwise shows his mettle.
Under the present political situation it would have been well nigh impossible for an honest, non-partisan and conscientious man like Mashud to have continued to serve as chairman of ACC. He refused to be browbeaten and dictated by anybody about who should and should not be indicted on corruption charges.
That he would be replaced soon became clear when Sheikh Hasina told the parliament that the ACC would be reconstituted to ensure its accountability. Exercising control over the ACC seems to be more important for the government than ensuring that it is independent enough to perform its constitutional role.
Let us not forget that no sooner had the political elites, indicted on charges of wrongdoings, begun coming out of jails on bail, a campaign was stepped up in the media, especially in some private TV channels, to malign the army leadership and blame it for the anti-corruption drive and for prolonging the caretaker government's rule.
It is those tainted politicians who have been trying to tarnish the image of the army and brand it as a force inimical to democracy and rule by elected political government.
Quick on the heels of the BDR carnage, the anti-army protagonists got a shot in the arm as Hasan Mashud fell because the same tainted politicians were gunning for him. These politicians quickly sink their differences and animosities and speak in one voice when they perceive a threat to themselves from a common enemy and two, when they see the prospect of increased perks and privileges for themselves.
These people cannot forget that it was Hasan Mashud who demanded for the first time in the history of this country that the VIP and VVIP politicians submit their wealth statements -- and made sure that they did it. Full credit to Mashud for his courage and conviction to ensure that nobody is above law.
No wonder M.K. Anwar of BNP and Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir of AL have brought out baseless allegations of corruption against Hasan Mashud.
Someone also said that he tried to bark up many a wrong tree. I am not sure that in the forest of monumental corruption there was or is a tree barked up wrongly. It is true that many anti-graft cases initiated by the ACC fell through when they came up before the higher judiciary. But this does not mean that those who came out on bail or whose convictions were overturned are innocent.
A man of Hasan Mashud's stature would not harass innocent men in the name of anti-corruption drive. Besides, a thief will remain a thief even though he could not be punished in a court of law. The people know who became billionaires overnight through corruption. No matter how many times corrupt people get elected, they will always carry the stigma of corruption.
It is a pity that a man of impeccable integrity, honour and indomitable courage like Gen. Mashud could not carry on his crusade against corruption, because he is fiercely and fearlessly patriotic, apolitical and uncompromising.
Though there are not many Hasan Mashuds in this country, it will always be worthwhile trying to find someone like him as his replacement. But indications are that this government does not need any Hasan Mashud to stamp out corruption from this country.
All that the tainted parliamentarians and others of their ilk outside the parliament are looking forward to is that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina picks someone as ACC chief who will plan his anti-graft strategy and execute it as she wishes. This is the only way the government can ensure the accountability of the ACC. God help us when this happens.
Madame prime minister, kindly ensure first the accountability of this elected government which you head, and then the accountability of the ACC. The BDR mutiny and massacre at Pilkhana on February 25, and the post mutiny handling of this tragic event, leave much to be desired of this government in terms of its accountability in a democracy. Most importantly, if corruption is not curbed effectively, building a digital Bangladesh will remain rhetoric and a far cry.
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