Anwara Begum got bail, will the nation get bail?

Anwara Begum is 69 years old. According to her daughter Nabila Mahjabeen, her mother has long been suffering from high blood pressure and diabetes. Due to osteoporosis, she cannot walk properly. She retired from Jagannath University four years ago. Since her retirement, she has not been involved in any political or professional activities.

Last Wednesday, the authorities of Jagannath University invited Anwara Begum to attend an academic meeting. Despite her poor health, she went to Jagannath University out of a sense of duty. When she was leaving the university, a group of young men surrounded her. On information, Sutrapur Police Station took Anwara Begum to the station.

According to Sutrapur Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Saiful Islam, Professor Anwara is an accused in a case. She was arrested based on specific allegations and sent to court. The court rejected her bail plea and sent her to jail. Four days later, on Monday (June 2), the court granted Anwara Begum bail.

There are many questions: how did the police take an almost 70-year-old sick woman into custody and bring her to the station? And how did the court initially deny her bail and send her to jail? If she was indeed accused of attempted murder during the July uprising, why was she granted bail four days later? Shouldn't she be punished? Surely the court made a mistake either the first time or the second. Why should an elderly woman be subjected to such flawed judgments by the court?

Besides being a professor, Anwara Begum has another identity—she is a freedom fighter. So, is being a freedom fighter Anwara Begum’s only crime? After the July uprising, we have seen many freedom fighters being deliberately humiliated and harassed. The court should have initially considered how a retired, sick, elderly woman could be involved in a murder staying at home.

After the July uprising, we have seen sweeping murder cases filed against just anyone. These indiscriminate murder cases have cast doubt on the July uprising itself. Especially, the humiliation of freedom fighters has not been accepted lightly by anyone. A debate has indeed emerged—whether July has stood in opposition to the Liberation War. Many are now offering various interpretations about this. We want to ensure that no side of the July mass uprising stands against the Liberation War. Otherwise, the July mass uprising will not only be questioned—it will be tarnished. The law enforcement agencies and the judiciary must also be vigilant so that no freedom fighter or elderly person is ever insulted or harassed in this way again. Anwara Begum has received bail; but whether this nation will receive bail from this shame—that remains our question.