When the Muslims in Bangladesh attack the Adivasis or ethnic communities, we remain silent. When the Muslims attack the Hindus, Christians and Buddhists, we remain silent. When they attack the Ahmadiyya Muslims, we again remain silent. If you ask any persons from among the majoritarian Sunni Muslims, they spontaneously argue that
Author: Saleem Samad
Hawara Rampage Has A Hallmark Of Sabra And Shatila Massacres
China’s neo-economic imperialism shackles defaulting small nations
Communist China for decades used to air propaganda on its state radio that the United States, Japan, Britain, and European countries are economic imperialists, warmongers and back autocratic regimes in third-world countries. Political economists and several think tanks describe China has become an economic giant and definitely a new superpower. There are
Is freedom of expression worsening in Bangladesh?
Saleem Samad Freedom of expression in Bangladesh has been a constant feature of our nation's recent political history. In the recent past, the global media and organisations at the national front, as well as in the international arena are agog on the issue of freedom of expression. The international bodies including United Nations,
Iran plunged into darkness when Khomeini returns from exile
Contrary to belief, dark clouds had overcast the skies in Iran when the Shia (or Shiite) Islamist leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini returned from exile 44 years ago on 1 February 1979. The so-called Islamic Revolution which is believed to have ousted the Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, on 11 February
Shahbag Square Thunderous Slogan ‘Joy Bangla
On 5 February 2013, suddenly Shahbagh intersection become lively as thousands of angry and frustrated young people thronged the place to demand maximum punishment of war criminals indicted for war crimes and a crime against humanity during the brutal birth of Bangladesh. On the tenth anniversary of Gono Jagaron Moncho, remembered
“Adivasis drowning in abject poverty”
A rosy picture of national ethnic people dancing and singing adorned in traditional ethnic dress in most national events, cultural programmes on state-run television, Pahari (hill people) ethnic food festivals and recruitment in government jobs is not the true story of the life, livelihood and visibility of the Adivasis in
Tale of Adivasi writers, poets and filmmakers
The Dhaka LitFest 2023 held at Bangla Academy from 5-8 January was crowded with tens of thousands of enthusiasts braving the cold wave which swept through Bangladesh. The English and Bangla literature, pressing issues, and serious themes – like climate change were discussed, debated and of course lots of fun, art,
How long can Pakistan troops hold in East Pakistan?
Peace on silver jubilee remains elusive for hill people
People of the hill forest, an abode of the Mongoloid ethnic Adivasis refuse to celebrate the historic signing of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Peace Accord on December 2, which brought to an end a protracted autonomy-seeking insurgency for more than two decades. However, the government is officially celebrating the silver