THE THIRD VIEW
Column by Mahfuz Anam / The Indian media and Bangladesh-India relations
The bilateral relationship must be based on a "win-win" policy, rooted in mutual respect, non-hegemony, and the pursuit of shared prosperity and deeper understanding.
Column by Mahfuz Anam / Ending impunity for crimes against journalists
Though the signals are mixed we still hope that the media in Bangladesh will see a new dawn.
Column by Mahfuz Anam / Of rivers and people
The present leadership must prioritise the development of these two assets of Bangladesh for a sustainable and prosperous future.
Column by Mahfuz Anam / Hasina’s misrule should not affect our judgement of Bangabandhu
The history of Liberation War must be honoured.
Column by Mahfuz Anam / The indiscriminate arrests and murder charges
Reckless and unsubstantiated use of murder charges will only make a farce of the law, not bring justice to those who deserve it.
Rape of an Indigenous schoolgirl / Why did the Khagrachhari school reinstate a known sexual predator?
This incident exposes the added vulnerability of young women and girls when they belong to Indigenous communities.
Column by Mahfuz Anam / Chief Adviser Yunus's UNGA trip a critical turning point
Now is the best chance for Bangladesh to strengthen international cooperation.
Column by Mahfuz Anam / July uprising and some thoughts of Bangladeshi-Americans
NRBs gathered in New Jersey showed eagerness to assist in the journey of the new Bangladesh forward.
Column by Mahfuz Anam: ‘Democracy Day’ came and went, nobody noticed
What was once a startling thunderclap passed off as a whimper, what was welcomed by millions and celebrated as the rebirth of our democracy, went hardly noticed, what was termed as the victory of the people over the military did not receive any public attention.
Column by Mahfuz Anam: ‘How Democracies Die’
Winston Churchill’s comment in November, 1947 that “democracy is the worst form of government except for all those other forms that have been tried before” remains as pertinent today as it was when he stated it in the immediate post war period.
Column by Mahfuz Anam: Shonar Bangla’s Shona Monirs
Whether we have been able to build our Shonar Bangla (Golden Bengal) or not, Mr. Monir Hossain has certainly built his and earned himself the title of “Shona” (Gold) Monir in the process.
From a pro-party to pro-people police force
During the AL’s agitation for a caretaker government in the mid-90s, we carried a picture of AL leader Matia Chowdhury pinned down by the police on the Manik Mia Avenue, in front of Jatiya Sangsad, trying to protect herself from police assault while protesting against the then BNP government.
Stealing From The Poor
Stealing is bad, but stealing from the poor is perhaps one of the most depraved acts one can think of. But not so for those handling the government’s pandemic-related urgent cash assistance programme for the poor.
Trump is playing a dangerous game
“Election is free and fair if I win it and rigged if I lose”. I wrote this sentence many times during our period of contested elections under the caretaker government system.
US Elections: Understanding its hidden message
By the time this article goes to print, Joe Biden, the Democratic Party candidate, may have scraped through the race for the White House.
PM’s Commitment to Free Press: The real test is in practice
Nothing could please us more than to hear Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina reiterate her commitment to the freedom of the press and democracy. But does it match with how the Digital Security Act operates, especially against journalists?
Why do our protesters get beaten up?
How is our coming of age to be measured? Is it just by per capita income or GDP figures or such indices? There are many other such numbers that show us in a favourable light. They are all very important and we are proud of those achievements. But what about some other signs of development—decent and safe roads, clean air, a dependable public transport system, safe water supply, reliable public healthcare, public education measured not by quantity but quality, and most importantly, safety for women?
One by one, the doors are being shut
Last Tuesday, the home ministry issued a statement warning social media users from home and abroad against spreading “false, fabricated, confusing and inciting statements about the government, military, police and other law enforcement agencies.