Dr Rumi Ahmed Khan is a Professor at the South Asia Institute, University of Texas, Austin; the Convenor of the Bangladesh Research Analysis and Information Network; and a pioneer of democracy and human rights activism among the expatriate Bangladeshi communities. This essay will be published in a book on diaspora and citizens’ activism during the July Uprising.
This piece was originally published on July 27, 2008, at rumiahmed.wordpress.com during a time when both sons of Begum Khaleda Zia were in detention in Dhaka and both were reportedly being tortured. Khaleda Zia was facing intense pressure to leave the country for Saudi Arabia.
That Bangladesh did not turn into a hardcore right-wing country is because of Tarique. The country continues to progress as a centrist, tolerant nation. For this, we should forever remain indebted to him.
How do you spot an agent provocateur in the pay of our enemies? Easy. Look for someone trying to create a wedge between the military and the public. Look for someone inciting violence.
There are still many pitfalls between now and timely, good elections. But if we can all agree to one single reform: a proportional Upper House, then in time all other reforms will follow automatically.
