02-19-2004, 05:41 AM
Representing Bangladesh at the OIC:
The Bangladesh PM's nominee for its prepresentative to the Organisation of Islamic Countries has raised some resistance owing to his background:
By nominating Salahuddin Qader Chowdhury for Secretary-General of the Organisation of Islamic Conference, Begum Khaleda Zia shoots herself in the foot and antagonises India in the bargain. Salahuddin Qader, as her adviser on parliamentary affairs, enjoys the rank of cabinet minister. Even 32 years after Bangladeshâs liberation he swears by Pakistan and regrets that he and his fatherâs desperate bid to play Pakistanâs game in what was then East Pakistan did not succeed. He still takes pride in the fact that he personally tortured and butchered freedom fighters and leaders of minority communities â the instances are well documented by those demanding his trial and conviction as war criminal. Persecuting minorities and killing their notable leaders by his private army are still his forte, demonstrated by the recent murder of two noted monks, a Buddhist and a Hindu, in his parliamentary constituency. He had even murdered a student leader of the ruling BNP and made disparaging remarks about Begum Zia that led to his expulsion from the party. But his infinite capacity to unleash violence on communal lines, apart from his reputation as an India baiter facilitated his return. His strong overt linkages with Islamabad have helped.
Already his nomination has evoked protests from intellectuals besides a large section of the Press and Opposition. His nomination is considered an insult both to Bangladesh and the apex Islamic body. More so as Bangladesh has no dearth of eminently suitable candidates. In a sense Salahuddinâs nomination symbolises the mindset of Begum Ziaâs government which is pro-Islamic and pro-Pakistan. She is playing with fire. Elements in her government are pleading for a confederation with Pakistan. Dhaka and Islamabad are jointly lobbying for Salahuddinâs candidature which should be a cause of concern for Delhi. This forum, has in the past, been manipulated against India. We should be firm with Bangladesh
On the other hand one should also ask why being seen as pro-India spells political death for any mainstream Bangladeshi politician and how it was that a country associated and assisted at its foundation to such a great degree by India, could become so antagonistic so quickly to the extent that it is virtually impossible to take a friendly position towards India by its political elite. While local socio-economic problems, rising Islamism and the anti-India card provide some of the explanations, this cannot be the whole story. A big brother attitude, needless quarreling over river basin projects and shabby treatment of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants in West Bengal and Assam, all play a role. The fears over the OIC are also it seems slightly paranoid. It is true that in the past Pakistan has prevented India from being granted even pobserver status, despite the large Muslim population of the latter, but the OIC has hardly taken Islamabad's position on Kashmir as its policy stance. In fact, it is surprising how cordial relations between Arab nations and Asian Islamic ones have remained despite the running sore of Kashmir and Indo-Pak disputes; ties with Arab nationalism through NAM, links with secular regimes and greater trade and diplomatic wieght have added to this; few will risk damaging relations with India for the sake of Pakistan. Indian consistent support for Palestine can be seen as a quid pro quo over neglect over Kashmir; of course Indian policy in Kashmir has been much more benevolent, if not democratic or pluralistic, than Israeli policy in the Occupied Territories, making the whole taks easier. The generally favourable attitude towards India's huge Muslim minority also has not passed unnoticed; how far either of factors will make a difference now with the saffron turn in Indian politics remains a moot point. Either way, it has certainly made it easier for such "forums to be manipulated against India".
The Bangladesh PM's nominee for its prepresentative to the Organisation of Islamic Countries has raised some resistance owing to his background:
By nominating Salahuddin Qader Chowdhury for Secretary-General of the Organisation of Islamic Conference, Begum Khaleda Zia shoots herself in the foot and antagonises India in the bargain. Salahuddin Qader, as her adviser on parliamentary affairs, enjoys the rank of cabinet minister. Even 32 years after Bangladeshâs liberation he swears by Pakistan and regrets that he and his fatherâs desperate bid to play Pakistanâs game in what was then East Pakistan did not succeed. He still takes pride in the fact that he personally tortured and butchered freedom fighters and leaders of minority communities â the instances are well documented by those demanding his trial and conviction as war criminal. Persecuting minorities and killing their notable leaders by his private army are still his forte, demonstrated by the recent murder of two noted monks, a Buddhist and a Hindu, in his parliamentary constituency. He had even murdered a student leader of the ruling BNP and made disparaging remarks about Begum Zia that led to his expulsion from the party. But his infinite capacity to unleash violence on communal lines, apart from his reputation as an India baiter facilitated his return. His strong overt linkages with Islamabad have helped.
Already his nomination has evoked protests from intellectuals besides a large section of the Press and Opposition. His nomination is considered an insult both to Bangladesh and the apex Islamic body. More so as Bangladesh has no dearth of eminently suitable candidates. In a sense Salahuddinâs nomination symbolises the mindset of Begum Ziaâs government which is pro-Islamic and pro-Pakistan. She is playing with fire. Elements in her government are pleading for a confederation with Pakistan. Dhaka and Islamabad are jointly lobbying for Salahuddinâs candidature which should be a cause of concern for Delhi. This forum, has in the past, been manipulated against India. We should be firm with Bangladesh
On the other hand one should also ask why being seen as pro-India spells political death for any mainstream Bangladeshi politician and how it was that a country associated and assisted at its foundation to such a great degree by India, could become so antagonistic so quickly to the extent that it is virtually impossible to take a friendly position towards India by its political elite. While local socio-economic problems, rising Islamism and the anti-India card provide some of the explanations, this cannot be the whole story. A big brother attitude, needless quarreling over river basin projects and shabby treatment of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants in West Bengal and Assam, all play a role. The fears over the OIC are also it seems slightly paranoid. It is true that in the past Pakistan has prevented India from being granted even pobserver status, despite the large Muslim population of the latter, but the OIC has hardly taken Islamabad's position on Kashmir as its policy stance. In fact, it is surprising how cordial relations between Arab nations and Asian Islamic ones have remained despite the running sore of Kashmir and Indo-Pak disputes; ties with Arab nationalism through NAM, links with secular regimes and greater trade and diplomatic wieght have added to this; few will risk damaging relations with India for the sake of Pakistan. Indian consistent support for Palestine can be seen as a quid pro quo over neglect over Kashmir; of course Indian policy in Kashmir has been much more benevolent, if not democratic or pluralistic, than Israeli policy in the Occupied Territories, making the whole taks easier. The generally favourable attitude towards India's huge Muslim minority also has not passed unnoticed; how far either of factors will make a difference now with the saffron turn in Indian politics remains a moot point. Either way, it has certainly made it easier for such "forums to be manipulated against India".