The entire universe has been reshaped by people like Hypesia, Copurnicus, Keplar, Galileo, Newton, Einstein. Their theories and discoveries were instrumental in proving the non-existence of God or ‘Ishwar’. Even these great scientists, whose have disproved all the wild and dubious beliefs that had shrouded this universe for ages, came under attack over allegations of ‘hurting religious sentimentalism’. Not only that Hypesia and Jordano Bruno were actually murdered over these baseless accusations. Now take a step back and think about this. Where would we have been, human beings, as a race, if these great men and women had not hurt religious sentimentalism like they did all those years ago? As such, I think there is no other alternative but to attack religious sentimentalism if we are to ever make a breakthrough into abolishing religious blindness and superstitions. No developed nation or society has ever broken the cuffs of superstitions and religious blindness without attacking religious sentimentalism first. Can you think of a better way other than science and the practice of logic to achieve this? This question has been answered superbly by the respected Humayun Azad sir in his book titled ‘Dhormanubhutir Upokotha’.
The Bangladesh government has failed to provide protection to these free thinking, free spirited bloggers there. To be honest, they do not look the least bit concerned and I am yet to see even the smallest inkling that they’re taking the necessary steps to protect bloggers. Instead they are encouraging bloggers to keep quiet, harassing them at times and even more worryingly, they have made some horrific decisions in light of the dangers that bloggers face today.
Even though the murderers of one Rajib Haidar, who was killed in February 2013, have been caught, we are unaware as to how far their trial proceedings have actually progressed; if there have been any developments at all. After having confessed to killing him the murderers were let out on bail and as of today their whereabouts have not been disclosed either by the government or the law enforcement agencies. Even after the killers of Washiqur Babu were caught red-handed, chased down by the public and consequently handed over to the police, their trial proceedings are also in a limbo and have seen no visible progression. The murderers confessed that their ‘Huzur’ ordered them to kill Washiqur Babu. As of today we do not even have name for this so-called ‘Huzur.
Not only have the murderers of Dr. Obhijit Rai and Ananata Bijoy Das not been captured, but instead the law enforcement agencies are feeding tantalising and pixelated information to the general public, in order to keep them guessing. According to the police, the prime suspect in the murder of Dr. Obhijit Rai, Reduanul Azad Rana is out of the country at the moment. The same Reduanul Azad Rana, who was caught by the police as a suspect in the murder of Rajib Haidar and then subsequently released. Considering the political and diplomatic repercussions of the death of blogger Rajib Haider, prime nister Sheikh Hasina did visit the victim’s family and assured them of justice. However, her reaction and behaviour towards all the other dead bloggers was completely different and questionable to say the least.
As such, today, the futures of Bengali bloggers are foggy and uncertain. Because of blasphemous laws like ICT section 57, bloggers will feel discouraged to adopt scientific research, logic and reasoning when they write and express their thoughts. In parallel, those who bank on other people’s religious beliefs will find even more inspiration and better reasons to write. And that, readers, wuill in turn fuel religious blindness, superstitious practices, religious politics and religion based unethical businesses. The country will slowly descend in to the dark ages of ‘Islami Khilafat’.
to be continued…
