Independence Day celebration now turns into a commodity

Mujahidul Islam Selim is a veteran leftist politician from Bangladesh. He was a former president of Bangladesh Communist Party and has been associated with left-leaning politics since his student days. He played a significant role in the Liberation War of 1971 and served as the president of a student union. In independent Bangladesh, he was elected as the vice president of the Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) in its first election after liberation. He studied economics at Dhaka University. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1993, he has held various leadership positions within the Bangladesh Communist Party, either as the general secretary or president. Currently, he serves as a member of the Central Committee of Bangladesh Communist Party. Recently, he discussed various trends and transformations regarding the celebration of Independence Day in an interview with Rahat Minhaz, Assistant Professor of the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism at Jagannath University. On March 23 in 2024, the interview took place over Zoom.

Rahat Minhaz: What do you think about the responsibility and duty of politicians in preserving the dignity of Independence Day?
Mujahidul Islam Selim: Before I respond to your question, I want to pay homage to the countless martyrs who sacrificed their lives in our great Liberation War.
You inquire about politicians. Unfortunately, I must speak the truth. Politics in Bangladesh is now flowing in two streams. One is the politics of ideals, which we strive to advance. But the predominant stream that covers the entire country is what I call commercial politics. It's a kind of business. A striking example of this is the recent events surrounding elections. From reports we've received from the Election Commission, it's evident that various ministers or MPs have increased their wealth by fifty-fold, some even a hundred-fold, and some by as much as a hundred and thirty-fold over the past five years. So, those who are engaged in this kind of politics in Bangladesh, it can be said from their perspective, politics or ministerial and MP positions—it's all about the most profitable business.
If I consider them as politicians in response to your question, it can be firmly stated that the thoughts, consciousness, dreams, aspirations, successes, and achievements of our Liberation War are not left intact. Everyone knows this. Those who had very little involvement during the Liberation War and were hardly associated with any significant aspect of it, are now occupying prominent positions. However, I wouldn't characterize this as a failure of politicians; rather, these conspiracies within politics have been created due to certain powers, and I hold them responsible for it.

Mujahidul Islam Selim

Rahat Minhaz: Could you provide an example and elaborate further on this?
Mujahidul Islam Selim: As an example, I can mention the Shahbagh movement. At that time, many believed that the country had shifted towards secularism. Terms like "bloody politicians" were used in Ayub Khan's era, but similar rhetoric was employed by the ruling class of Bangladesh. However, people couldn't foresee how the Shahbagh movement suddenly emerged. Therefore, I still believe that the majority of Bangladeshis perceive the country's politics politically. Besides, the presence of the Liberation War ensures a firm commitment from people to keep the country in the right direction. This is why the Shahbagh movement erupted. The safe road movement happened. No doubt, the deep-rooted patriotism within people's hearts still remains intact. It just awaits an eruption.

Rahat Minhaz: On various important days including Independence Day, we see that the new generation of college and university students celebrate in a similar fashion, but perhaps they don't grasp the significance and glory of these days. What is your assessment of this?
Mujahidul Islam Selim: I cannot completely agree with your generalization about the new generation. I believe that deep down, everyone appreciates the significance of these days. The problem lies elsewhere. The patriotism within people doesn't manifest openly. What's visible are demonstrations. Due to the actions of a group, the celebration of these days has been turned into a commodity or product. Consider this: if I spend a substantial amount of money on an event, I can gain influence and bring back a crore from there. Therefore, there's now a selfish enjoyment and an economic motive embedded within the celebration of these days. The most unfortunate aspect is that this trend is being accepted. However, it's not just the work of one party; it's the state, the government, the political machinery—all are doing the same thing. It's not just the rhetoric of one party. Awami League, BNP, Jatiya Party—all parties are treating the celebration of these days as an investment and turning it into a business. That's where the problem lies.

Rahat Minhaz: We are celebrating the 53rd Independence Day. You have fought for the country and witnessed every Independence Day, observed it closely. Over the 53 years, have you noticed any changes or transformations in the way we observe and celebrate our Independence Day?
Mujahidul Islam Selim: After Bangladesh gained independence, a situation was created within us which gradually prioritized commercial considerations. After the political transformation in 1975, this policy was officially adopted. The policy was to make money, make money, but if you question it, they say the money is for some people. Eventually, that money will come to the poor, but in reality, it's not coming down. Instead, it goes to Switzerland, Canada, and Malaysia. Consequently, all the power, politics, and policies of our country have fallen into the hands of the affluent class due to this looting. This is why we see changes in the content of Independence Day celebrations. Everything is calculated in terms of transactions.
Furthermore, the nature of the celebrations has also changed. For example, I am very disturbed by the organization of events on 21st February. It's emphasized that the main event starts in the morning. In Bengali culture, the morning begins at sunrise, not at midnight or 12 o'clock at night. This is a European cultural influence, but here, when there will be television and lights at midnight, everyone will be active. This has led to the birth of a bizarre, artificial event. This is how our Independence Day celebrations have changed.

Rahat Minhaz: If you want to say anything more about observing or celebrating Independence Day...
Mujahidul Islam Selim: Many sorrowful things can be said here. For example, who is invited to various national events? Surely, I have not been invited to one or two events, but I see that those gatherings are filled with bureaucrats, civil-military, and big commercial importers. As I mentioned earlier, they are earning millions of takas, establishing themselves as commercial important persons. They are the ones being welcomed there; the rickshaw pullers, day laborers, they are the periphery. They have no place here. This is the tragedy.

Rahat Minhaz: What are your expectations for Independence Day?
Mujahidul Islam Selim: We need to build our country on the path of socialism. This was the commitment when we achieved independence. We must advance with the banner of national liberation against democracy, secularism, and imperialism. Our country is moving in the opposite direction from that path. When I was a member of Dakshur BNP in 1972, our slogan was "This time, the struggle to build the country." The work we did based on that principle has not continued, which is unfortunate, but it was necessary.

Rahat Minhaz: Thank you very much sir.
Mujahidul Islam Selim: Thank you too.