Reza Mahmud :
The historic verdict of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) which delivered death penalty for the ousted and fugitive fascist Sheikh Hasina, seen as a big message for politicians for shunning the way of becoming an autocrat in Bangladesh.
Experts as well politicians said the historic verdict of death penalty for the fascist ruler Hasina make it clear that if anyone of the future ruler wants to become an autocrat, would not be tolerated.
The people of the country would not welcome any more fascist. They said it does not matter how influential or powerful leader being an autocrat, he or she must be held and face the music soon.
Meanwhile, some of the political analysts shared their cautious opinion saying the political and financial atmosphere of Bangladesh creates autocrat.
They said the jail term of late autocratic ruler Ershad also was carried out the similar message of “No more autocrat here”, but decades later, Hasina became the new fascist.
Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus on Monday said, “The conviction of Hasina sentencing affirms a fundamental principle: no one, regardless of power, is above the law.”
“This verdict offers vital, if insufficient, justice to the thousands harmed in the uprising of July and August 2024, and to the families who still carry their loss,” added Dr. Yunus in a statement issued after the ICT delivered Hasnia’s verdict.
The politicians and experts also echoed the same over the issue.
When contacted, eminent political analyst Professor Dr. Mahbub Ullah on Tuesday told The New Nation, “Firstly, the July uprising and now the ICT’s death penalty against the fascist Hasina are clear message that people will not tolerate any future autocrat.”
Prof. Mahbub, however, said the social-economic atmosphere of the country favour creating autocrat, which is a matter great concern.
Contacted, eminent political analyst Professor Dr. SM Ali Reza of Dhaka University told The New Nation, “Politicians obviously have got the message which delivering with the Hasina’s death penalty that punishment is not far from any future dictator.”
He said, the political parties as well as the politicians should change the political culture towards positive and pro-people directions.
Political leaders also expressed positive opinions against autocracy in future politics in Bangladesh.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said the verdict delivered against former prime minister Sheikh Hasina marks “the collapse of all forms of authoritarian governance” in Bangladesh.
In a post from his verified Facebook account on Monday, Mirza Fakhrul said, “This judgment is not just about Sheikh Hasina’s deeds-it symbolizes the elimination of every strand of autocracy from this soil.”
When Contacted, Jamaat-e-Islami Joint-Secretary General and the party’s spokesperson Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Jobair told this correspondent on Tuesday, “The July Uprising and the Hasina’s death penalty is bearing a clear message that no more dictatorship in Bangladesh.”
Bangladesh Revoulutionary Workers Party Secretary General Comrade Saiful Huq told The New Nation, “I think in future no one to dare to be next autocrat in the country after seeing Hasina’s circumstances.”
He expressed hope that the post July politics is becoming positive and coexisting manner.
Bangladesh Labour Party President Dr. Mustafizur Rahman Iran also echoed the same saying future politics will shun the way of fascism.
Earlier on Monday, the International Crimes Tribunal-1 (ICT-1) declared Sheikh Hasina and two others guilty in a case related to crimes against humanity during the July-August uprising last year, which claimed around 1,400 lives.
The tribunal handed down the death penalty to Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Kamal, while former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun-who testified for the state-was sentenced to five years in prison.
The court also directed that the properties of Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Kamal be confiscated by the state.
