This is with reference to the story “Bangladeshis demand death for war crimes convict” ( Feb. 17 ). Bangladeshis from all walks of life are gathering at Shahbag, an intersection at the heart of Dhaka, every day and chanting slogans for their demand. They have only one demand and that is capital punishment for the war criminals of 1971. Unfortunately, for the past long 42 years since Bangladesh’s liberation, war criminals have been able to roam around the country freely. In an effort to express our spontaneous solidarity with the youth of Shahbag, the Bangladeshi expatriates have joined forces with protesting compatriots in their demand against the war criminals. Many people were shocked that Abdul Kader Mullah was not given the death sentence. There was anger among the youth. Some suspected an underhand deal between the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Jamaat. Others felt the prosecution was poorly prepared and did not present enough evidence for the judges to award the highest punishment available to them.
Anyway we like to underscore that the correctness of the new movement has endeared it to the people. The three minutes’ observance of countrywide silence and holding of candlelit vigil in memory of those martyred at the hands of the war criminals in 1971 were moments that renewed the nation’s awareness about the War of Liberation. And having reached that point now is the time to take the movement to the next stage, the rationale of which will bring them closer to the people. The whole country has been stirred up by the new Shahbag roundabout movement. But the youth, including students, should go back to work or to their studies. — Naser Mullah, Riyadh
Politics of justice
