1971

REFLECTIONS / In both form and content: A political (un)reality

Over the last two semesters, my course on South Asian writing at both the undergraduate and graduate level begins with Shahidul Zahir’s Jibon O Rajnoitik Bastobata (Life and Political Reality, translated by V Ramaswamy and Shahroza Nahreen).

BOOK REVIEW: NONFICTION / Rehman Sobhan’s recollections of the road he took towards December 16, 1971

The title of the first of Professor Rehman Sobhan’s two-part memoir suggests that it is about his “years of fulfilment”; the subject matter of its sequel therefore would be about the “untranquil” years that followed.

52nd Anniversary of the Concert for Bangladesh / The unsung heroes who introduced Bangladesh to the world

It is rather astonishing that the government and people of Bangladesh have shown relatively minimal recognition for the two prominent musicians who played a significant role in introducing the country to the world.

“Fragile Things”: How ghosts and spirituality make it into writing

Participants, including the show’s hosts and guests, picked up discarded pebbles, photo frames, children’s artwork, and other knick knacks—all fragile things collected and displayed by the author. 

Can we process trauma through writing?

Iffat Nawaz, together with The Daily Star’s Books & Literary Editor, Sarah Anjum Bari, will discuss the act and impact of processing traumatic memories through writing. 

When the message of Bangladesh’s liberation travelled on two wheels

Jamal Hasan and his three teammates decided to go on a goodwill mission for the fledgling state to thank the people of the world for supporting their Liberation War.

Motherhood, martyrdom and the spirit of female resistance in 1971

Ekattorer Dinguli forces one to acknowledge the dire reality of ethnic and religious violence, and the harsh legacy of colonial oppression and divide that has ruptured the fabric of the South Asian subcontinent since 1947.

War in the waters: Looking back at Operation Jackpot, 1971

Operation Jackpot was the first—and allegedly best—campaign of naval commandos during the Liberation War of 1971, a deadly blow against the Pakistani invasion forces carried out on August 16, 1971.

Poetry, my useless weapon

As bird flocks take wing at the rattle of Sten guns

March 25, 2016
March 25, 2016

The Black Night that still haunts the nation

The nation today recalls the Black Night of March 25.

March 24, 2016
March 24, 2016

Nixon was advised to recognise Bangladesh

US intelligence analysis had predicted early that the separation of Pakistan was imminent as the political situation in East Pakistan descended into chaos in March 1971.

March 23, 2016
March 23, 2016

Liberation War Denial Crimes Act drafted

The Law Commission has drafted the Liberation War Denial Crimes Act, 2016 with a provision for five years' imprisonment as the highest punishment for denial of historically established facts and settled issues.

March 23, 2016
March 23, 2016

Game on '71 war out on March 26

A group of girls have been kidnapped by the Pakistani occupation forces and are held hostage at a torture camp, four kilometres off from Shanir-char in Barisal, a strategically important Pakistani outpost. Shamsu Bahini, a group of five desperados and commandoes guerrillas who reclaimed the Char from the Pakistani's grip move to rescue their sisters.

March 16, 2016
March 16, 2016

Nizami decides to seek review

War criminal and Jamaat-e-Islami leader Motiur Rahman Nizami will seek review of the Supreme Court verdict which upheld his death penalty, his son says after meeting him at Kashimpur jail in Gazipur.

March 8, 2016
March 8, 2016

Jamaat calls hartal tomorrow over Quasem verdict

Jamaat calls countrywide hartal for tomorrow over the Supreme Court ruling upholding death penalty of its leader Mir Quasem for war crimes.

March 8, 2016
March 8, 2016

SC upholds death for Mir Quasem

Supreme Court upholds death for Jamaat-e-Islami leader Mir Quasem Ali in a war crimes case. Five-member bench of Appellate Division acquits the war criminal of a death penalty and two other jail terms.

March 7, 2016
March 7, 2016

War trial: Mir Quasem’s appeal verdict tomorrow

All eyes are on the Supreme Court, which is set to deliver the verdict tomorrow on the appeal filed by war criminal Mir Quasem Ali challenging his death penalty amid comments from different persons including two ministers on the chief justice.

February 9, 2016
February 9, 2016

SC starts hearing war criminal Mir Quasem’s plea

Supreme Court today starts hearing the appeal filed by Jamaat-e-Islami leader Mir Quashem Ali challenging his death sentence for his crimes against humanity during the country's Liberation War in 1971.

February 9, 2016
February 9, 2016

Prosecutor withdrawn from cases

The chief prosecutor's office has withdrawn a prosecutor “in the public interest” from all the cases he was dealing with at the International Crimes Tribunal.