On the morning of Monday, the 30th of March, 2015, 27-year old Freethinker-blogger Washiqur Rahman was murdered (Bangla news account here) on the streets of Tejgaon industrial area in Dhaka by three machete-wielding Islamic extremists; two of them, in their 20s, were captured by some passers-by and handed over to the police. According to news reports (Bangla), the duo stated that they didn't know, or have any personal enmity towards, Washiqur. They were told that Washiqur had insulted Islam and the Prophet, for which his life was forfeited; they were supplied with machetes and Washiqur's photo, shown his house, and given detailed instructions. They carried out the horrendous act without remorse, believing it was their duty as Muslims.
All within a month of the murder of another freethinker-blogger, Dr. Avijit Roy, in Dhaka, under very similar circumstances. Progressive, rational voices from Bangladesh are being systematically extinguished.
This following is a literal translation of Washiqur's Facebook note from November 20, 2014. The original note was written in Bangla, but the content therein is too important to remain restricted to the Bangla-speaking people of the world. The Bangla note was republished by the Bangla Webzine Guruchandali, who added this poignant remark: "The title was not composed by the author; it is ours. We have been unable to get his permission for this. The reason is known to everyone; the author is really not going to write again, ever." The translation is presented with kind permission from Guruchandali.
All within a month of the murder of another freethinker-blogger, Dr. Avijit Roy, in Dhaka, under very similar circumstances. Progressive, rational voices from Bangladesh are being systematically extinguished.
This following is a literal translation of Washiqur's Facebook note from November 20, 2014. The original note was written in Bangla, but the content therein is too important to remain restricted to the Bangla-speaking people of the world. The Bangla note was republished by the Bangla Webzine Guruchandali, who added this poignant remark: "The title was not composed by the author; it is ours. We have been unable to get his permission for this. The reason is known to everyone; the author is really not going to write again, ever." The translation is presented with kind permission from Guruchandali.
"Nope. Not Going To Write Again."
Washiqur Rahman 'Babu'
No, not going to write again about war crimes, fundamentalism, nation, and politics. As it is, nothing comes off writing about them, other than giving a vent to my frustrations. But even that, apparently, hurts feelings, disturbs 'peace', hinders development. So I should write about something that causes no problem to anyone.
Fine, let's write about trees and forests. In our country, the number of trees is much fewer than what is necessary. Trees are felled regularly for various reasons. Last year, the Hefazat Conference cut down a lot of trees in the name of protest movements. Possibly, they are annoyed with trees because they love the desert. In addition, if the power plant comes up in Rampal, the risk to the Sunderbans...
... Oops, what am I writing! No no, I can't write these. Peace would be disturbed, development hampered. Let's find some other topic...
... Okay, let's write on education. Education is the backbone of a nation. The rate at which people graduate is increasing every year, but what a condition of proper education! Examination questions are leaked at an alarming rate. Passing exams in any-which-way is emphasized, with no attention paid towards evaluation of intellect. A tri-layered education system is currently in vogue in the country...
... Nope. It's not acceptable to write on this. The estimates of education are progressing rapidly. Writing thusly would mean an attack on education...
... I know. Let's write about travel. I visited Seetakundu a few years ago. The mountains of hilly Chittagong are visible from there. A significant proportion of aboriginal people live there, although their habitat is at risk from settlers and the army. This apart, a huge area in that region sank under water during the construction of Kaptai hydroelectric power plant...
... Good grief. If I write this, I shall be termed a separatist traitor! Leave the aboriginal people to themselves. I should write about something safe...
... Got it. Films. Our movie industry is rather worn-out, although a few individuals are trying their best to make progress. Most noteworthy was Tareq Masud. Unfortunately, we couldn't keep him alive. A section of the society doesn't like him because, in his films, he displayed religious fundamentalism and extremism. The movie "MaaTir Moyna" (= "Earthen Mynah") directed by him won awards at Cannes, but its release was hampered initially by the-then BNP-Jamat coalition government on the pretext of religious feelings. Later...
... Impossible! How many heads do I have on my shoulders that I can write on religious fundamentalism? Instead...
... Love! Yes, love is the safest topic. Who hasn't fallen in love even once in life! There are young men who fall in love serially. But every time they get into physical intimacy by promising marriage, and then break up right after. Many even make videos of those private moments and release them on the internet. Of course, in all such situations, only the women are blamed, whereas those men invariably seek out virgins when they decide to marry. But those women find it difficult to get back to normal life...
... Nope. Rights of women, freedoms of women are verboten. The society would be destroyed; young men and women would be ruined. Let the society be. I...
... Let me write about myself. I was born in a middle-class family. The characteristic opportunism, ambivalence, selfishness of the middle class are all present in me. It's some consolation that I was born in the lower- or farmer-class. The farmers never get the just price for their crops; the workers never get their due wages. For the workers of the largest industry, garments, there is no guarantee of a natural death, too. They die en masse from sometimes a building collapse or a large fire. Then come the pretensions to relief efforts, nominal enquiry commissions, spurious assurances for restitution, shielding the perpetrators in the name of justice...
... Oof! It's really impossible for me to write. How nicely the nation is making a rapid progress. And I seem to be throwing roadblocks! Only those who conspire to destroy the industries of the nation and dismiss the agricultural development do write such stuff. I ought to leave reality...
... And write fiction. Once upon a time there was a king. Kingly times are no more now. The last independent Nabob Sirajuddoulla was defeated and mercilessly killed because of the treachery of Mir Zafar. Although Mir Zafar got his just desserts immediately thereafter, but war criminals - a hundred times more horrible than Mir Zafar - have been living in peace in this country for many years. They have even tasted power. Although they are under trial currently, but the slowness of the tribunal, the immediacy of the verdict, accusations of their collusion with the government, Shahbag movement...
... Am I crazy! If I write this stuff, the trial of the war criminals would be hampered. Labels of 'Enemy of Freedom', 'Friend of the Razakars' would be applied to my forehead.
Then what should I write on? Can anyone tell me what I can write about so that the government, political party, fundamentalist, people, freedom, for/against all groups would remain at peace? Is there anyone to offer some advice?
Hello...
Washiqur Rahman 'Babu'
No, not going to write again about war crimes, fundamentalism, nation, and politics. As it is, nothing comes off writing about them, other than giving a vent to my frustrations. But even that, apparently, hurts feelings, disturbs 'peace', hinders development. So I should write about something that causes no problem to anyone.
Fine, let's write about trees and forests. In our country, the number of trees is much fewer than what is necessary. Trees are felled regularly for various reasons. Last year, the Hefazat Conference cut down a lot of trees in the name of protest movements. Possibly, they are annoyed with trees because they love the desert. In addition, if the power plant comes up in Rampal, the risk to the Sunderbans...
... Oops, what am I writing! No no, I can't write these. Peace would be disturbed, development hampered. Let's find some other topic...
... Okay, let's write on education. Education is the backbone of a nation. The rate at which people graduate is increasing every year, but what a condition of proper education! Examination questions are leaked at an alarming rate. Passing exams in any-which-way is emphasized, with no attention paid towards evaluation of intellect. A tri-layered education system is currently in vogue in the country...
... Nope. It's not acceptable to write on this. The estimates of education are progressing rapidly. Writing thusly would mean an attack on education...
... I know. Let's write about travel. I visited Seetakundu a few years ago. The mountains of hilly Chittagong are visible from there. A significant proportion of aboriginal people live there, although their habitat is at risk from settlers and the army. This apart, a huge area in that region sank under water during the construction of Kaptai hydroelectric power plant...
... Good grief. If I write this, I shall be termed a separatist traitor! Leave the aboriginal people to themselves. I should write about something safe...
... Got it. Films. Our movie industry is rather worn-out, although a few individuals are trying their best to make progress. Most noteworthy was Tareq Masud. Unfortunately, we couldn't keep him alive. A section of the society doesn't like him because, in his films, he displayed religious fundamentalism and extremism. The movie "MaaTir Moyna" (= "Earthen Mynah") directed by him won awards at Cannes, but its release was hampered initially by the-then BNP-Jamat coalition government on the pretext of religious feelings. Later...
... Impossible! How many heads do I have on my shoulders that I can write on religious fundamentalism? Instead...
... Love! Yes, love is the safest topic. Who hasn't fallen in love even once in life! There are young men who fall in love serially. But every time they get into physical intimacy by promising marriage, and then break up right after. Many even make videos of those private moments and release them on the internet. Of course, in all such situations, only the women are blamed, whereas those men invariably seek out virgins when they decide to marry. But those women find it difficult to get back to normal life...
... Nope. Rights of women, freedoms of women are verboten. The society would be destroyed; young men and women would be ruined. Let the society be. I...
... Let me write about myself. I was born in a middle-class family. The characteristic opportunism, ambivalence, selfishness of the middle class are all present in me. It's some consolation that I was born in the lower- or farmer-class. The farmers never get the just price for their crops; the workers never get their due wages. For the workers of the largest industry, garments, there is no guarantee of a natural death, too. They die en masse from sometimes a building collapse or a large fire. Then come the pretensions to relief efforts, nominal enquiry commissions, spurious assurances for restitution, shielding the perpetrators in the name of justice...
... Oof! It's really impossible for me to write. How nicely the nation is making a rapid progress. And I seem to be throwing roadblocks! Only those who conspire to destroy the industries of the nation and dismiss the agricultural development do write such stuff. I ought to leave reality...
... And write fiction. Once upon a time there was a king. Kingly times are no more now. The last independent Nabob Sirajuddoulla was defeated and mercilessly killed because of the treachery of Mir Zafar. Although Mir Zafar got his just desserts immediately thereafter, but war criminals - a hundred times more horrible than Mir Zafar - have been living in peace in this country for many years. They have even tasted power. Although they are under trial currently, but the slowness of the tribunal, the immediacy of the verdict, accusations of their collusion with the government, Shahbag movement...
... Am I crazy! If I write this stuff, the trial of the war criminals would be hampered. Labels of 'Enemy of Freedom', 'Friend of the Razakars' would be applied to my forehead.
Then what should I write on? Can anyone tell me what I can write about so that the government, political party, fundamentalist, people, freedom, for/against all groups would remain at peace? Is there anyone to offer some advice?
Hello...
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