In this weeks roundup we take a look at what different Bangladeshi blogs are talking about.
On human rights- who is a human?
Rumi of In the Middle of Nowhere discusses [1] the death under custody of Mr. Qayyum Khan, an elected local government representative and a BNP (Bangladesh Nationalist Party) activist. He accuses human rights organizations for not advocating Khan's case:
“Although Mrs. Qayyum’s Khan’s wailing was very intense in TV, I am pretty sure; her wailing will never reach those who make a living out of human rights issues. There will not be any urgent action alert, no statement, no blog, no facebook group, no burning of conscience. If you are a detained university teacher’s wife, a minority leader, a journalist, you are a human. You will be heard , you will be spoken of. But these Qayyums, Alals, Tareqs are inhumans. Human rights watchdogs don’t talk about inhuman rights. Inhumans don’t have right.”
Much ado about the political cases against Sheikh Hasina
Bangladesh's political scene is now buzzing with ever evolving drama of the trial of former Prime Minister and the chief of Awami League on graft cases. In case you are wondering whats the fuss is all about, please read Dr. Abdul Momen's piece [2] who guest blogs at Shada Kalo:
“Both these trials are being conducted in special courts set up under the EPR. The regime is lying in claiming that she is being tried under the ‘law of the land’ and is allowed to defend herself.”
The tale of two Bengals
After a recent visit to Kolkata, West Bengal, India Md. Anwarul Kabir tries to draw [3] a cultural bridge from there to Bangladesh, the former East Bengal:
“Due to socio-political and geographical boundaries with the West Bengal, Bangladesh has produced different flavour of Bengali culture than that of West Bengal.
My interactions with the common people in Kolkata have revealed the fact that many Indian Bengalis perceive a stereotype notion towards Bengali Muslims of Bangladesh. Perhaps this notion has its origin in the Muslim communities in West Bengal who are very conservative and live in closed societies. But in practice, the Bengali Muslims of this part of the Bengal inherently are more moderate and secular.”
On purity of language:
JRahman at Mukti invokes [4] another burning debate. Should Bangla be spoken with the impeccable version or with the evolving accents?
“Who decides on the standards? Surely it is unreasonable to think that the pundits from the 19th century Kolkata should decide on what we can and cannot say today.”
Travel:
Expat Blogger Shawn at The Uncultured Project has some practical advice [5] to newcomers in Bangladesh. Mickey Leung at Joybangla.info has also a suggested packing list for travelers [6] to Bangladesh.