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Jan 19, 2025 | 
thedailystar.net | Anu Muhammad
Mass uprisings played a significant role in Bangladesh's history. For instance, during the Language Movement of 1952, a situation akin to a mass uprising arose, leading to the formal recognition of Bangla, although, in reality, that spirit has yet to be fully embraced even today. However, the movement, which went on to claim several lives, marked a major turning point in our history. The next major mass uprising occurred in 1969, leading to the fall of Ayub Khan, the military general of Pakistan.
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Dec 15, 2024 | 
en.prothomalo.com | Anu Muhammad
People of this country have created many stories of indomitable struggle against disparity, repression and dominance at different junctures of history. We had to fight again and again against colonial rule, civil-military dictatorships, ethnic repression and inequality and for rights of language and education, democracy and equality. The Liberation War of 1971 is the biggest of these struggles. It was an irresistible fight of people against a marauding Pakistani army.
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Oct 31, 2024 | 
thedailystar.net | Anu Muhammad
It has been almost three months since the interim government took office. During this period, it has taken several notable steps, including the formation of various commissions to begin the reform process of key sectors and suspension of the indemnity law in the energy sector—steps largely viewed as positive. However, there are many other tasks that it should prioritise. It is surprising that to this day, there has been no official list of the deceased and injured from the July uprising.
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Oct 4, 2024 | 
thedailystar.net | Anu Muhammad
The profession of teaching holds a special importance and responsibility that no one can deny. Teachers have a huge influence on shaping the direction of their students' lives. And they are not just institution-bound. I have favourite teachers from institutions—school, college, and university—and also those from outside these institutions. When I became a teacher myself, I had an extraordinary experience.
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Sep 26, 2024 | 
thedailystar.net | Anu Muhammad
The problems in the energy and power sector have not accumulated over just 15 years. It began in the early 1980s. At the root of the problem lies the neo-liberal ideological approach that since then turned the power sector into a profit-making enterprise for a handful of local and foreign businesses.
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Sep 21, 2024 | 
countercurrents.org | M Adil Khan |Hiren Gohain |Mahadev Ghosh |Anu Muhammad
On August 5, 2024, a student led mass uprising ended Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Awami League government’s decade and a half long despotic rule in Bangladesh. Hasina fled to India. Hasina’s fall was also a big blow to India, her staunchest and the most opportunistic ally. Many thus believe that without India’s (read Modi’s) backing – political and security – Hasina would not have lasted as long as she did.
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Sep 15, 2024 | 
countercurrents.org | Hiren Gohain |Mahadev Ghosh |Anu Muhammad |ABHISH K BOSE
On the role of religion in politics, participants at a student-led round-table at The Daily Star, critically examined the influence of religion on political dynamics in Bangladesh. They emphasised that while Islam teaches tolerance and protection for all faiths, religion-based politics often leads to extremism and exclusivity, challenging the principles of secularism. Bangladesh’s leading English-language newspaper reported on Sep 4, 2024.
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Sep 14, 2024 | 
countercurrents.org | Hiren Gohain |Mahadev Ghosh |Anu Muhammad |ABHISH K BOSE
I learnt from a recent news story on Google that during the oath-taking ceremony of a military academy in Turkey, a dozen new army officers refused to take the oath in its Islamic garb and shouted slogans in honour of Mustafa Kamal who had introduced the modern secular state in Turkey.President Tayyeb Erdogan was livid with anger and he reportedly vowed to ensure that they are not taken into the army.
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Sep 13, 2024 | 
countercurrents.org | Mahadev Ghosh |Anu Muhammad |ABHISH K BOSE |BZ Khasru
According to Encyclopaedia Britannica, “Imperialism is the state policy, practice, or advocacy of extending power and dominion, especially by direct territorial acquisition or by gaining political and economic control of other territories and peoples.” This is a very simple and succinct definition of imperialism that captures the essential characteristics of the concept.
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Sep 11, 2024 | 
countercurrents.org | Mahadev Ghosh |Ramisa Rob |Anu Muhammad |ABHISH K BOSE
by Mahadev Ghosh and Ramisa RobIn his Independence Day speech, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised that 1.4 billion Indians are worried about the safety of Hindu minorities in post-Hasina Bangladesh, in New Delhi, on August 15, 2024. Since the student-led mass uprising toppled Sheikh Hasina’s regime in Bangladesh on August 5, a new reality dawned on the horizon for the nation grappling with uncertainty.
