Liberation War
The Unfinished Autobiography is indeed written by Bangabandhu
Abul Kasem Fazlul Haque. Renowned essayist in the Bangla language, social analyst, literary critic and political thinker. He is currently serving as the President of the Bangla Academy. This former professor of the Department of Bangla at Dhaka University spoke to Views Bangladesh on several recent issues. The interview was conducted by Views Bangladesh Editorial Assistant Shahadat Hossain Towhid.
Why indecent slogans in politics
To hit back at the opponent, political slogans have always included a few unpleasant words. For instance, the well-known chant: “Beat so-and-so with shoes, beat in rhythm.” But now, in Bangladesh, some political slogans have emerged that are extremely distasteful and vulgar. Respectable people cover their ears when they hear them. In many recent OTT films, vulgar words are muted with a “toot toot” sound. The audience understands from the “toot toot” that a swear word has been uttered. Recently, television news has also been seen using “toot toot” in place of political slogans. Such vulgar slogans are now being used that they can neither be spoken nor written.
An unconstitutional govt can never be democratic
The Liberation War of 1971 comes up repeatedly in various ways. That was a time of great hardship. Each of us was in grave danger. Every day, every night, even every moment was filled with terror. We thought about our own safety, at most we were occupied with concerns about our loved ones. We exchanged news, wanted to know what was happening where, listened to the radio, thought about how to help the freedom fighters, while those who were at war were fighting for their very lives. There was work for all of us. Danger pursued us, but we also had dreams. There was a dream ahead. A collective and enormous dream. We hoped we would drive the invaders out, that we would be free, and towards that goal we worked. Everyone wanted to contribute in whatever way they could.
India-Bangladesh cultural exchange: Memory, identity and future
build and change upon this landscape. Agriculture is culture, cooking is culture, and therefore even fishing is culture. That is why I do not know whether we should see as cultural exchange the recent incident in which 95 people lost their way into the seas of Bangladesh, were caught by police of the other country, and, as I heard, were returned after being beaten severely. If it is an exchange, surely it is not an example of “lawful” or mutually desired exchange between two countries.
The poet who set alphabet ablaze with resistance
There is no greater achievement in our national life than the struggle for independence and the Liberation War. Countless poems have been written about these subjects. Poet Shamsur Rahman portrayed independence, the Liberation War, and patriotism in poetry with a powerful and aesthetic touch. His poems have found a place on people's lips, in slogans, on placards, wall writings, banners, and festoons. Like:
I am successful as a teacher, not as a writer
Essayist and educationist Professor Jatin Sarker (August 18, 1936 –August 13, 2025) was a man enriched through the pursuit of knowledge, who, standing on his own soil, could witness the sunrise of the entire world. By reading his autobiographical work The Birth and Death of Pakistan – A Vision, one can easily understand how he became Jatin Sarker. He was a follower of the philosophy of ‘dialectical and historical materialism’, a line of thought reflected in his book “Bangalir Samajtantrik Oitihyo” (The Socialist Tradition of the Bengali). However, he believed that in his work “Prakritojoner Jibondorshon” (Life Philosophy of the Common People), he expressed a distinctive and original perspective. His first book, Expectations from Literature, was published in 1985, when he was fifty. Including all genres, he published nearly fifty books in total. On Wednesday (13 August), this great thinker passed away. Long before his death, poet Shishir Rajan had interviewed him. The interview is being published here in memory of Jatin Sarker.
Our Mahfuza Apa – In Memory and Remembrance
As I write this, the truth is that our respected Mahfuza Khanam Apa has set out on her eternal journey. If one is born, one must die – that is the truth; but some people do not just remain idle after being born. They leave their mark through their work. And because of those marks, we are bound to remember them.
Bangladesh in perplexity of diplomacy!
Bangladesh has been drifting in a puzzle of diplomacy. Not only Bangladesh but the world politics has met with a perplexity. Since Donald Trump was elected the US President, the suicidal decision to impose additional tariffs on the entry of products from various countries into the US market has established a valid ground for isolating the United States in world politics. And within that area, world diplomacy is becoming complicated. Of course, Bangladesh is not outside of it.
Unofficial manifesto of the July mass uprising
If a manifesto expresses a person’s ideological stance, provides a theoretical analysis of how to solve a problem, or outlines a roadmap for progress based on the will or aspirations of the people or the time, then do the words of Abu Saeed (2001–16 July 2024) not embody the very spirit of a manifesto? Let us see what Abu Saeed, a student of the English department at Begum Rokeya University, wrote. Addressing Shaheed Shamsuzzoha (1934–1969), martyr of the 1969 mass uprising, Begum Rokeya University student Abu Sayeed wrote in a status: “Sir! We need you desperately right now, Sir! Everyone from your time is dead, but you remain immortal even in death. Your grave is our inspiration. We are illuminated by your spirit.”
Has interim govt actually become a ‘government’ in a year
Just two days before the anniversary of the July uprising, on the afternoon of August 3, at a rally organised at the Central Shaheed Minar in the capital to declare the manifesto of the 'Second Republic' or New Bangladesh, several leaders of the National Citizens' Party (NCP) expressed discontent and criticism over unfulfilled expectations in various sectors over the past year. Yet the NCP is considered the main stakeholder or participant in the interim government. The government itself has, at various times, indicated its special preference or support for this party. One reason may be that the NCP was formed through the initiative of some youths who were at the forefront of the July uprising.