Tahmim Anam's new novel, A Golden Age, about the Bangladesh liberation war is out in the UK. The Guardian liked it. And here's an interview with Anam from SLATE (the Bangladeshi magazine, not the web-zine).
But when it the U.S. release? I would certainly like to get hold of a copy.
From yesterday's State Dept. Press Briefing
QUESTION: Sean, two questions on Bangladesh, please. The (inaudible) in Bangladesh has cancelled elections and also is trying to establish dictatorship just similar to in Pakistan by General Musharraf. And a Vice Prime Minister is under house arrest in Bangladesh, second one fled to London and she has not been allowed and she has been told you cannot return to Bangladesh. What's the Secretary feel now as their human rights and dictatorships and also democracy that we're talking about around the globe?
MR. MCCORMACK: Well, the situation in Bangladesh is one that we're watching quite closely. There is a caretaker government in place and we have urged that caretaker government to move as expeditiously as possible to elections so the Bangladeshis can exercise their right to vote and choose who is going to lead them in the future and hopefully be able to put these past incidents behind them. It is a case where if not handled properly and if the caretaker government doesn't take the right decisions, then this -- there is a real possibility that this can threaten Bangladeshi democracy and nobody wants to see that.
QUESTION: (Inaudible.)
QUESTION: I'm sorry.
MR. MCCORMACK: No, that's it.
QUESTION: Anybody from the U.S. Government in touch with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in London?
MR. MCCORMACK: I know our embassy has been in close contact with them and several months ago, Nick Burns talked to them.
via - Unheard Voices
This past weekend saw more action in what is being called the "Minus 2" plan to exile Sk. Hasina and Kaleda Zia.
Hasina was denied a boarding pass at London's Heathrow airport, but insists that she will return to Dhaka.
At the same time, the warrant for Hasina was suspended.
Khaleda Zia did not, as was being reported, leave for Saudi Arabia. In fact, the High Court ordered the Caretaker Government to produce Zia and prove she is not being illegally detained.
Unheard Voices has some thoughts about
what this uncertainty means for the Caretaker Government, and for Bangladeshi politics, and I highly recommend checking them out.
Here's your Capitol Hill rumor of the day:
Alberto Gonzales out, Chris Cox to take over.
Interesting developments in Bangladesh over the past few weeks. The anti-corruption drive has been intense, and there are reportedly 150,000 arrested from the political and business spheres. There has been some confusion about the fate of the duita Begum, and the press has been issuing mixed reports.
At issue are reports that former Prime Minister and head of the Awami League Sheikh Hasina will not be allowed to return to Bangladesh. Last week, Rezwan posted this emergency notice, allegedly from Bangladeshi military intelligence.
Despite these reports, Hasina has announced that she will defy the interim government's ban and return home early next week.
There are also reports that former Prime Minister and head of the BNP Khaleda Zia is under house arrest pending her expulsion from Bangladesh along with at least one of her sons, Arafat. Tarique Rahman remains behind bars pending corruption and extortion charges. There are reports that Khaleda Zia will be exiled to Saudi Arabia this coming weekend.
I was lucky to catch a friend of mine online yesterday who said that the mood in the rural part of the country where he is living is one of cautious concern, as people are not sure what is happening.
My friend further echoed sentiments in this Economist article:
Indeed, it could be argued that the term "caretaker" is increasingly inappropriate given mounting signs that the administration aims to be around for some time. This is reflected partly in policymaking--such as its plans to address chronic power shortages and overhaul the country's main seaport--that goes far beyond any mandate simply to restore calm and prepare for elections.
What some are calling a "silent coup," appears to be working out to be just that. People that I talk to in Bangladesh, as well as probashi Bangladeshis seem to be in consensus that something had to happen to break the hold of the duita Begum and what had become, unfortunately, a malfunctioning political system. But whether or not this caretaker government will ease Bangladesh back on track, or will return to the problems of past military dictatorship, remains to be seen.
Rezwan has more on Sheikh Hasina's reaction and the situation in general. Here's hoping that everything turns out well for Bangladesh.
Shubho Noboborsho!
Today is Pohela Boishakh, the Bangla New Year. Today marks the beginning of the year 1414 in the Bangla calendar.
The Daily Star gives a bit of historical background to the modern celebration:
The start of Bangla year with Baishakh has its roots in the days of Mughal Emperor Akbar during 1556-1609. According to one of several opinions about the origin of Bangla year, this was the time when peasants used to pay their taxes to the emperor.
When Bangladesh came under the Mughal rule in 1576, Akbar decided to adopt the Hijri year and termed this season "Fasali" (crop). Thus, Pahela Baishakh marked the start of the crop season.
The present form of the Pahela Baishakh celebrations has some political significance and was introduced in 1965 when Chhayanaut organised its celebration programmes in protest against the suppression of Bangalee culture by the then Pakistan government.
After independence in 1971, the festival became a symbol of the country's nationalist movement as well as an integral part of the people's cultural heritage.
As for me, I'm headed out to get some Ilish bhaji and maybe a jilabi if I'm lucky.
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