Wow, what can I say? I am overwhelmed by the response I have received in the last two days. I would like to thank all of you that have expressed your support for me and an interest in beginning a constructive dialogue. I have read each and every one of your responses but due to the sheer number it is impossible to answer each one personally. However, I promise that I will respond to each and every issue you have raised in my posts. Right off the bat it will probably take me several posts to cover all the issues that you have raised so far, so please keep checking back if I haven’t gotten to your questions yet.
My second post was going to be about an issue that I feel strongly about, but given the overwhelming number of questions about me personally, I feel that I should begin with who I am, besides what you have read in the papers, and why I am here.
Four years ago I read a newspaper report about a 10 month old Hindu baby being snatched from her mother’s arms and thrown into a fire by BNP cadres. She died after fighting for her life in hospital. That day I decided that I will do whatever it takes so that things like that never happen again in Bangladesh.
I’m actually in a bit of trouble with my wife because of all this! Before Kristine and I got married she had asked me if I planned to get into politics. I said absolutely not. I have a nice, peaceful life here that I have built up over the years. Contrary to popular belief, I worked on campus while I was in college here to pay my own expenses. In fact, the reason I have two Bachelors’ degrees is because my family couldn’t afford to send me to the US straight out of school. That’s why I went to Bangalore. Today I consult for a software company and my wife is a lawyer. We do quite well, even by US standards, but it has all been built up over time.
Some of you have criticized the dynastic trend in Bangladesh and suggested that I should follow Sonia Gandhi’s example and quit. Here’s what I have to say about that:
First of all, I have not decided to get involved in politics directly. I am perfectly happy being one of the members of civil society involved in bringing about a change for the better. The advantage I have is being in a unique position of having the backing of the largest political party in the country.
Bangladesh is supposed to be a democracy. It is not a kingdom and I am certainly not a prince. However, I am a citizen of Bangladesh. Any citizen of Bangladesh has the right to be involved in politics if he so chooses and run for office. If any of you want to run for Member of Parliament or even Prime Minister, go for it. No one, least of all me, is going to stop you. But, by the same token, I have every right be involved in politics, not because I am the grandson of the Father of the Nation and my mother was Prime Minster, but because I am an equal citizen.
Even if I do someday run for office, I’m not simply going to be crowned. I will have to stand for elections and it will be up to the people of the country to vote for me. If the majority wants me they will vote me in, if they don’t, they won’t. That is democracy in action.
Here’s a little fact that no one seems to mention. The Awami League is actually very democratic internally; note the recent Student League elections. We have elections every three years and even my mother is elected by the party each time. If the majority of members of the Awami League want my mother as their President, then she has every right to be. That is the very essence of democracy.
Sonia Gandhi chose not become Prime Minister. That was her choice. I have not made my choice yet but if the people of Bangladesh want me to, then I might consider it. Either way, it must always be up to the people of the country do decide who they want to govern them and no one else.
It would be far easier for me to not get involved in politics. But someone once said evil succeeds when good men do nothing. I have not forgotten that 10 month old baby and that is why I do what I do.
Monday, February 05, 2007
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25 comments:
Very nice!
It is so nice to see the human side of you. We hope to get to know you more this way.
You are right - every citizen whas the right to run for office.
No 10 month old baby deserves to die this way.
If you do decide to join politics, I would not discourage you. You'll have one big advantage, you are the grandson of Bangabandhu Shiekh Mujib, which is a great plus point for you. Now if you really join politics, we'll hope that you won't follow the example of Tareq Rahman. Tareq Rahman also had such an advantage being the son of Ziaur Rahman. But he used his power to pile up black money and criminalization of politics, and thus brought bad names for his family. We earnestly hope that you'll be an honest leader with a vision, not with a mission of making money.
Dear Sajeeb (may I call you Sajeeb, or do you prefer Joy?),
You have somewhat explained what moved you to be involved in politics (or probably it’s just in your blood), but it’s still sketchy on what IT IS that you exactly do being an NRB that is considered as ‘being involved in BD politics’ or what you referred as “what I do”. Do you teleconference during the general meetings? Are you in the advisory team of AL? Do you maintain the AL website?
It is great to know that you were disturbed by that awful news clip some years ago. Any normal human being would squirm. So I understand that you are very secular in your thoughts and want to uphold human rights regardless their individual religious practice. Great to know!
[You should check out the Drishtipat site – an expat human rights organizations that collaborate over the internet, and had been vocal against attacks on minority Hindus and persecution against the Ahmedias among other issues. Drishtipat raised funds in 2001 following the unprecedented brutality on the villagers in Annodaproshad in Bhola, launched by political thugs. http://www.drishtipat.org/modules.php?name=projects ]
Now please help me understand the MoU that AL secretary Jalil signed with the Khelafot-e-Majlish. We all know their mandates. They had issued fatwa in the past against anybody who didn’t support the shariah laws. How would you protect the Hindus from you own party allies?
I have absolutely no qualm on the issue of family-cracy (as they say) or political dynasty. Neither will I say that there should be extra ordinary expectations from you just because you were Bongobondhu’s grandson as long as you are honest with the people and try your best. I studied engineering because my dad is one, physician’s kids study medicine, lawyer’s kids practice law – so what is the big deal if a politician’s child did decide to become a politician? If we thought you were anything like Zia’s protégé, we wouldn’t be having this conversation with you (mean it as a compliment). But I guess the mass of BD bloggers would agree that we like what we see so far about you (can’t say the same about the party AL). Hope to see you and your cousin Bobby to make a difference in BD’s politics encourage the young generation to be involved. Our generation that was born around or after 1971 did not know about the glorious and courageous visions of Bongobondhu because BNP launched a smear campaigned to tarnish the image. You can help reinstate AL’s image as the secular and positive force for BD’s future.
Sorry about the long post - will try to keep it short next time.
I have always had a great admiration for you simply because given all the opportunities of being part of a corrupt system and make a living out of it, you kept yourself distant from it. Whether you did it knowingly or destiny played its part, that I can not tell. By reading your blog, it seems to me that you're a forthcoming guy. To get involve in politics or not is entirely your choice, but, when you're in limelight be prepared for some criticism too. You have the experience of seeing how democratic institutions in a developed country like U.S. are put into play to do good for the ordinary citizens. Let all your values not go down the drain when you put your foot in Bangladesh. Remember as Bob Dylan said long ago "Times they are a changing ...", the old, rotten values of politics Bangladesh style is about to be over and a new generation is ready to carry the torch ahead. Greetings to you.
Swapan
Alexandria, VA
Dear Mr. Wazed
Its good to see that you have a clear thought process. Having gone through the roughness of attending college in the US, you must have also grown up to admire the value of labour. It would be nice to have a leader for BD who have seen the world not as a prince but as an ordinary person.
Do you know why Hillary did not run for the president's job in 2004? I hope you will take that lesson from her and wait for the right time for you to get in politics, if of course Kristine, your daughter and your work allows you. Also, keep in mind that no matter how much you would hate to deal with the hoodlums, they are unwanted realities in BD politics. I personally would hate to see you in charge of handling these rotten bigots who make politics difficult for people with true aspirations.
More later....
A refreshing start! Congrats to Christine and you!
Please talk about your ideas - in a "fat free" way. The nation is suffering from high political cholesterol.
Please tell us your vision - where you would like to see Bangladesh in 20 years.
Please don't get stuck in the rhetoric of the past. Both parties have used up all the good will.
Talk about issues - not emotions. We the new Gen 71 want to see how you think first, may be later how you feel.
We need "fat free", "cholesterol free" sincere dialogue. Today's politicians have made the job easy for you - expectations are low (sorry about the sarcasm but it's true).
Please be candid. Else only the "chamchas" will visit the blog.
Hi Joy,
I would say you suppose to help your mom of course in directly.
I will be happy to see if you go to Bangladesh at least 3 months before the election.
You should join in politics soon.
I think it is a great idea to have a conversation with common people. In that way, you can feel the pulse of the general public who in turn can also gauze your qualities.
I would like make two comments on your interesting blog. First, I am really horrified to learn about the 10-month old Hindu child who was thrown into the fire the BNP activists. I have feelings of disgust similar to yours. I would hate those people all my life and do everything to resist such barbaric acts recurring. However, having said that , the incident exposes two different issues: one relates to political vengeance and the break of normal law and order and the other relates to secularism and equal treatment of people of all religions. On the first issue, however, heinous and barbaric the BNP is, it does not normally indulge in baby-killing orgies, even those of the minorities. If the issue is essentially to establish minimal law and order in Bangladesh, I presume the present CTG will be able to establish the basic foundation for it ---by separating the judiciary, establishing a truly independent anti-corruption commission and strengthening law enforcement. And the process can continue thereafter. So if the first issue of law and order is indeed your overriding concern, then you can hold your fire-- and you don’t have to jump into the fray of politics. You can continue with your peaceful middle-class existence in the US. On the second issue of secularism and equal treatment of all citizens, I am afraid I am less than optimistic as far as the two major parties are concerned. While the BNP is a party of religious bigots, the Awami League does not fare much better either . I have seen the Awami League leaders in action--conducting themselves in public, including state affairs and functions, which are not different from the BNP. . On many occasions, I got the impression that the Awami League is in desperate competition with the BNP in the show of religiosity. If the Awami League is the party of secularists, it should have the courage of conviction and conduct themselves accordingly. The latest of this derogation by the Awami League is the compact with a religious party regarding the issuance of fatwa. It shows very clearly that the difference between the Awami League and the BNP is very liitle--no more than tweedledum and tweedledee.
My second comments relates to your assertion that like anyone else, you have right to be involved in politics if you choose to. And if the majority wants you to be the Prime Minister, then nobody should object to it. The logic is apparently impeccable. However, the problem arises from a fact which you have yourself mentioned in the blog. That is, despite not having done anything significant in terms of public service, you already have an advantage: “The advantage I have is being in a unique position of having the backing of the largest political party in the country.” By your own admission, you already seem to have the dynastic backing! You will be shocked to learn that Zia’s son,Tareque, also seems to think the same way. He thinks he has the love and backing of his party and if his party is gains the majority, he has the right to become a minister, even the prime minister. He also think that the BNP has a lot of internal democracy . He also thinks his mom, Khaleda, was elected the leader of the BNP parliamentary party through a democratic process. But the sad fact is that without the charisma of Ziaur Rahman, rightly or wrongly acquired, Khaleda is no more than a semi-literate (or even desparate!) housewife. And without the dynastic clout, many of present day leaders or wannabe leaders, on the basis of their individual qualities of head and heart, are simply very ordinary people—people with feet of clay!!!
Methinks this blog may get interesting. I hope you will address the MOU issue Zafa's mentioned. As for AL's internal democracy, well... that arguments a little tenuous. You'll also never just be a citizen of Bangladesh, you'll always carry the baggage as well as the privelege of being Bangabandhu's grandson. And as such, a worthy exercise of your inherent privelege would be to set your own house in order. I absolutely believe you should come home, but reforming AL should be your first priority and running for elections a distant second.
Hello
I have just one question! Are you really The Sajeeb Wazed , the son of former prime minister of Bangladesh? Or are you an imposter?
I raise this question because I was unable to find any authenticity of your credential from any of the Awamelig official websites. Not onlt that, but Mr. Sajeed Wazed himself did not publicly announch that he is opening a blog. A person like him would definitely have publicly stated the obviious.
Regards
A curious Bangladeshi Student
It felt nice reading about your personal life here. As the grandson and son of huge political figures of Bangladesh, you have little choice but to be under people's microscope.
We have heard many stories about how wealthy your family is, have several houses in different countries, who you go fishing with (in FL), what 'bad' things you say to them etc. for long.
Yet, from a personal experience I know why/how someone needs two Bachelors or extended ones just to pay the bills of college. I sometimes feel that the college dinings in the US run smoothly because of our financial weaknesses.
Carry on Sajeeb bhai. It is time for Bangladesh to have educated leadership. We need to move towards that.
dear joy...
your writing is excellent..
i think ur writing would help them who would like to know about you....
as a citizen of Bangladesh i can tell you that people now want to know about you more and more.... most of the people in the country tried to observe you when you and christine visited Dhaka..
i think people want to see our father of the nation among you even in your every step.. so that they have a lot expectation from you... i belive you are aware of it....
i have a lot of questions even i am interesting to introduce with your vision which i belive would make our country as a modern and rich country.
i would be grateful if you pls write me (even to my email address) about the role of US state department and US army over the present political situation in our country.
thanks again
Rakib Hasnet Suman
(working with a widely circulated english daily, published from Dhaka as a journalist)
This is what is unfortunate, Joy. That you cannot see that there is something essentially wrong with Familycracy.
Of course, that's what people want. It's a country full of illiterate, emotional types. And people like Khaleda, Hasina, Tarek and now you take advantage of that. You play on those emotions to gain political power, to gain legitimacy.
You have not spent any significant time in Bangladesh since you were 18, and now you feel that you can barge in and want to be prime minister, because "the people want it". It's unfortunate that you can't even see how self-serving your argument is.
vai joy
onek bishoy nie apnar sathe torko hote pare.. jodi apne torko like koren... amader ekta blog ase.. somwhereinblog eikhane ashte paren... oikhane tumul alochona hoy rajniti nie... hoyto onek kisu apnar monoputo nao hote pare.. but amar mone hoy vinno mot k grohon kora uchit...
valo thaken
~22L~
all i can say that its ur approach which is appericiatable. u wanted to reach a greater audience through blogging. and thats the attitude u shud attribute to 21st century awami league- modernization . experience do counts but we need young bloods like u. and to counter jamat in the i.t. sector, a lotta shud follow. keep up man, we've been there all along for some one to do it. you are my man. joy bangla
I'm not a Bangladeshi citizen, but I do have a strong relationship with the country. Sajeeb should run for office in future.
I have every faith that Sajeeb will one day become South Asia's answer to JFK!
I am Indian and given my understanding of the news in the regular media - am convinced that over the years that folks like Khalida Zia and her cronies have made B'desh a vassal state of the ISI. Here is my post on this issue that might interest you:
http://www.drishtikone.com/?q=node/1837
I would be very interested to read your views on this matter..
cheers,
Desh
Drishtikone.com
Re: comment #13 (anonymous)
>>This is what is unfortunate, Joy. That you cannot see that there is something essentially wrong with Familycracy.>>
First of all – the term ‘familycracy’ is groundless. It thrived in BD only because the crooks allowed these “families” to plunder the nation for their own gain. In general, someone’s family background in politics should NOT be a negative in one’s resume.
The Kennedies in U.S. had been in politics for generations. So have been the Gores and the Bushes. Nobody calls it a familycracy here because no one can dream of surviving as a politician if they didn’t have the vision for progress or serve the people. That’s how it should be in BD as well. [So that the finance minister’s son (among others like him) won’t be charged for looting crores of taka.]
>>It's a country full of illiterate, emotional types.>>
You better NOT insult the intelligence and mindset of the people of BD!!
This is the country that produced people like Dr Yunus, and also people like Noor Hossain.
I’ll allow Sajeeb speak on his behalf, but I don’t see how he’s taking advantage of the people or exploiting his situation for that matter.
>>You have not spent any significant time in Bangladesh since you were 18.....>>
Again I’ll let Sajeeb speak for himself, but he didn’t really say he wanted to be the PM, but rather it would be a choice up to him to run for office, and up to the voters to decide. Fair enough!
His parents did an excellent job bringing him up as an intelligent; forward thinking individual (can’t say the same for all the political families).
There is a tendency to bash the NRBs by the non-NRBs (the same people who’d jump at the littlest opportunity to cross border). I would NOT agree that you have no right to be concerned about BD unless you lived there. I have seen the NRBs get involved in many constructive projects for BD, making donations to the environmental issues and upholding and speaking up for the human rights violations. I was in Dhaka last month, and I was disheartened to see that nonchalant attitude of the people about the direction the country was heading (pre Jan 11) and the utter abuse of HR. On the other hand the NRBs were firing up the internet with worries about the political situations in BD through blogging and writing in the news papers.
The NRBs help with the economy as well. The remittance from foreign workers helps immensely with the forex reserve – that essentially attracts and makes ways for FDIs.
Making judgment without basis is a common trait of the deshis.
Sajeeb,
The fact that there is at least one person who thinks you could be an imposter, shows how difficult it is for us to believe that there could be a person such as you in any prominent role in any of our two main political parties. This is not a compliment. It begs the question; why is it so ? Is only a failure of the recruitment policy of the parties, in your case AL ?
Why is it that our educated young find it difficult to proclaim themselves as member of any of the main political party ? At best, they will say they are 'sympathizers', whatever that means. It is almost as if they are ashamed to go any further than that. Whose fault is it ? Don't you think some soul-searching is in order for AL, as you can only speak for AL between the two ?
Farhad
Congratulations on being a father. You said, "Bangladesh is supposed to be a democracy. It is not a kingdom and I am certainly not a prince. However, I am a citizen of Bangladesh."
I hope you keep your thoughts that way. Don't become like Tareq Rahman. You guys have the ability to make a difference in our country and please do so, at least for the sake of our great leader and your grand father Sheik Mujibor Rahman and also for all the freedom fighters who risk their lives dreaming of a free Bangladesh.
I am son of a freedom fighter (www.bhuiyan2007.org) and I am very proud of it. It's our sole responsibility to build this nation so your daughter like many other children’s in Bangladesh can live in a free society where human life is valued and treated with dignity.
I think your biggest job is not necessarily to improve only AL's image but also politicians in general. We, the younger generation, are almost ashamed to support any party or be a politician. Why?
People like you have to improve the image of politicians overall, so others can follow.
Make way for good people to get in as well.
Dear Brother Sajeeb,
I am sure you will make a positive difference in BD politics by utilizing your east-west social blend, educational and family back ground. Please do join the politics and rescue us from so old traditional fatwa type of AL politics, we need a change, a change-for what I can feel proud of being a Bangladeshi. My entire generation was / is involved in extreme AL politics, of course, not for being rich rather AL politics from own pocket...outcome is so zero anyway as we are not destined anywhere!!! I never got involved in AL politics due to seeing my father's downfall and left BD for livelihood, however, can't resist the feeling for Mr. Bangabandu or to see AL forming the Govt. You have the GIVEN opportunity as well as a ready field to explore your ideas and making a difference, greed for governance is ok but plz don't fall for the nasty shameless greed for money like other sarcastic princes. Also please please please on behalf of me>>tell Madam Hasina to follow some diplomacy in her speeches or in making any comments(ref to Jugantor 18 Feb.2006 article by Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury), I also consider her as a mother and as an honest dedicated leader. However, AL faced many odd situations just coz of statements of Madam Hasina and Mr. Jalil. My brother would you please advise some North American techniques to AL public speech makers how to approach an issue or what languages should be adopted. You have the reach and opportunity to convey this message. AL in my bloodline though not adopted by genetic transfusion like you, wish had the ground, simply can't take anymore downfalls of Al or Bangladesh....its like a circus...polluted bottom-up...felt helpless living in the country...hard to make differences..like a living hell...Please brother take us over and make us proud. All the best.
KamH Toronto Canada
As you somewhat said it, just to echo with majority of the feedbacks, you coming into politics should be empowered by the intention and good will that you hold. We have already seen enough BIG SHOT sons/daughters/relatives/wifes coming into politics nothing but to destroy the reputation of the former. But if you ever do, don't try to be just another statistics! I am sure you have enough "americanism" installed in you to guide you through!
Hi Mr. Wajed ( Joy )
It was good to see somebody has started to interact with common people.
Lots of people comment on very shallow feeling, some from their suffering or their bitter experience. Few would remember their long heritage or the struggle on the road.I too had a political life as an activist of Bangladesh students Union and CPB 10 years back.
From my experience I can tell u lots of non AL people have a support for AL. if u look into the leading persons in our society who had supported our freedom fight, most of them r supporting AL.
There is a lots of expectation on AL. I would like to quote veteran Ahmed Chafa 'when AL wins they win alone, when they lose the whole country loses'.
It is time to think in new direction.
I am very much against (personal opinion)any militry rule or semi-military rule. No such rule has done any good to any country in the long run.U can have a look at pakistan.
I do not know if sending our leaders to exile is an option on CG's card ( Amader somoy 13/3/07). If anybody is involved in corruption why should they not be tried in bangladesh?
I guess whatever is going on in bangladesh is a mere stunt to get a new set of ruler who would succumb to foreign pressure regarding our port and gas.Any anti corruption drive can be run democratically. It do not need to stop 'gharoa politics' . It seems something fishy is cooking up behind the scene.
So the new look should be a preparation for those unseen cercumstances when politicians as a whole will be a scapegoat and new smiling faces will be on the horizon. It is time to rethink about party policy. Honour those who have been loyal,shed of the aliens. Prepare a plan that will encompasse our future. It is time to chalk out few policy with a task force at home in fields like finance, agriculture, IT, Education, foreign policy etc.
I can see a hard battle ahead.
ashitbardhan.blogspot.com
i support u to join in politics.coz u r the most appropiate person 4 our generation.u r most wellcome in our party. we r waiting 4 u
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