No doubt at all that AR Rehman is a legendary musician. He became known all over India at the age of 21/22 because of his composition in the movie  'Roja' in the early nineties of the last century. Born and raised as a Hindu and later converted to Islam along with other family members and named himself after Sura 'Ar Rahman'. Films like 'Roja', 'Bombay', 'Dil Se', 'Paradesh', 'Slumdog Millionaire', 'Rockstar', etc. brought him solid seats, gave money and honored with Oscar even. AR Rehman now recreated a song of Bangladesh national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam. He dissected one of the milestones of India's awakening song 'Karar Oi Lauhakpat' in his own style. The song has been used in the movie Pippa, released this week. Sorry to say the Pippa version of the song is not even close to the original tune. He has assassinated an immortal and historic song. The interesting thing is that no one would have remembered the low budget movie Pippa directed by Rajakrishna Menon if this particular song had not come up with chaos. It seems that no one in Bangladesh has heard about the story of this movie made about the liberation war of Bangladesh.  But it is sad to see Bollywood's negligence towards Nazrul. Deshbandhu CR Das was also neglected through this incident. Because the poet wrote the song at the request of Chittaranjan Das's wife Smt. Basanti Devi. Everyone is more or less aware of Nazrul's relationship with Deshbandhu and at least those who keep track of literature know this story. Saddened by his untimely death, the poet composed an entire book of poetry 'Chittanama' and dedicated to his memories. We know about 'Karar Oi Lauhakpat' that this song became the language of protest of those who were in jail.  It was first used in the movie 'Chittagong Armory Loot' in 1949. Then in 69-70, Zaheer Raihan used this song in his epic movie 'Jiban Theke Neya'. The most important thing is that this song and Nazrul are almost synonymous. Like his rebellious poem The Rebel, 'Karar Oi Louhakpat' is a representational creation of the poet. But AR Rehman has buried the song by recreating a distorted tune. Here is our protest. If the controversy over the song 'Karar Oi Louhakpat' had not started, a positive discussion could have started in Bangladesh about the movie 'Pippa'. The movie is about the 'Garibpur War' that took place in the liberation war. This heroic battle was initiated under the leadership of Sector Commander General Manzoor on the banks of Kapotaksha in Jessore. Captain BS Mehta of the Indian Army was the vice-captain. The war took place in November 1971. A few days later, India formally declared war against Pakistan on 3 December. BS Mehta i.e. Balram Singh Mehta later retired as Brigadier. A wonderful book written by him about the Gharibpur War is 'The Burning Chafees'. Chafee is an American made tank. Gharibpur battle crushed Niazi's pride. Pakistan's tanks were reduced to ashes. He made heroic contributions as vice-captain. And the General Manzoor (then Lt. Col.) was praised. India captures this unique contribution of its Eastern Command on celluloid. The script is written according to The Burning Chafees. The film is produced by actress Vidya Balan's husband Siddharth Roy Kapur and Ronnie Screwwala. Mahesh Bhatt's wife Soni Razdan played an important role. The song 'Karar Ai Louhakpat' was used in the movie Pippa in a distorted tune. What should we do now? Poet Nazrul family, Kabi Nazrul Institute, Churulia Nazrul Academy, Dhaka University Bangla Department, Mymensingh Nazrul University, Asansol Nazrul University, Prasanga Nazrul Sangeet (PNS)- Every organization and all Nazrul lovers should protest this incident. The song should be withdrawn from the film Pippa and its use by following the original tune (Girin Chakraborty) should be ensured. I know one person from Moghbazar who could not understand the poet even after being associated with Nazrul for more than four decades. I used to think of A.R. Rehman as he used to find gold wherever he put his hands. Tanha Tanha, Dil Hai Choutacha, Rang Rangila Re, Tal Se Tal Mila, Maa Tujhe Salaam, Mustafa Mustafa, Zia Jwale etc. he kept us in awe throughout the nineties. But he has been failed completely whenever came to work with our national poet. Nazrul is an unquenchable flame. Not everyone can reach to his precious creation. The poet himself said in a poem : 'You have borne the fruit, but you have not got the juice, alas, the basket of fruit, A pebble does not get juice after being submerged in a fountain for millions of years.' Rafique Sulayman : Nazrul lover and art-critic

A long cherished happy news came to us after a long time. The current location of Noor Chowdhury, the self-confessed killer of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, has been traced and a Canadian TV channel has produced a report on the killer. The investigative report was broadcast by the country's state television CBC. It took seven months to complete the report. The 42-minute report entitled 'The Assassin Next Door' was aired on last Friday midnight Bangladesh time in the investigative segment of the television 'The Fifth State'. The report shows Noor Chowdhury on the balcony of his apartment in Toronto. Apart from this, Noor Chowdhury was seen sitting on the driving seat while leaving the car. But he drove away without talking to the reporter. The search team of the Fifth State has tracked him down for a long time. Etobic is an area 13 kilometers away from Toronto, Canada. There, the 70-year-old murderer of Bangabandhu lives on the third floor of a condominium. He comes to the balcony every afternoon. Although living freely in Canada, he was seen on camera for the first time. Noor Chowdhury's absconding in Canada and his return to Bangladesh to serve his sentence for murder have emerged in the report. In the report, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said, 'Canada is looking at the human rights of the murderers but not looking at the human rights of me or our relatives.' The High Commissioner of Bangladesh appointed to Canada said, except for this one issue, Bangladesh's relationship with Canada is friendly. Not only as a Bangladeshi High Commissioner, but as a common man of Bangladesh, I want him to be sent back to Bangladesh. Former Canadian opposition leader and minister Stockwell Day said that it should be addressed even though it happened 50 years ago. The report shows how Noor Chowdhury was involved in the assassination of Bangabandhu, according to the lawyer of the Bangabandhu murder case and the current Minister of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Anisul Haque, the investigation officer Abdul Kahar Akand and through various evidences. Noor worked as a diplomat in different countries after Bangabandhu was shot dead. When Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Hasina came to power in 1996, he fled Hong Kong and went to Canada. In 2006, Canada rejected his refugee claim and ordered him to leave the country. But if he returns to the country, he will be sentenced to death and asked for a security risk assessment. He is staying there taking advantage of Canada's anti-death penalty position.  Six murderers of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman have been hanged after completion of judicial proceedings in several rounds in the last 14 years. Five more convicts are absconding. They are Abdur Rashid, Rashed Chowdhury, Shariful Haque Dalim, Risaldar Moslehuddin and Noor Chowdhury. The whereabouts of the first three are unknown. Rumors were published several times that Moslehuddin was absconding in India, but nothing was known later. And Nur Chowdhury is in Canada - everyone knows that. But due to the death penalty in Bangladesh, Canada made it clear that it would not hand over Noor. However, a subsection of the Canadian law says that the criminal can be sent back to his country if he is accused of committing a crime against humanity. We know that during 2004-2008, Canada wanted to send Noor Chowdhury back. But the BNP-Jamaat government and the 1/11 government were not ready to accept Noor for some unknown reason. Apart from this, Khandkar Moshtaq's foster-son Rafiq Ahmed served as the ambassador of Bangladesh in Canada for a certain period of time, which created obstacles in the return of the prisoners. We have already learned that our Honorable Ambassador Khalilur Rahman is in close contact with the Government of Canada regarding Noor Chowdhury. Finally, thanks to the CBC News staff for producing such investigative reports. It is necessary to say that after the killing of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his family, the successive governments did not prosecute this brutal murder but took all kinds of steps to stop the prosecution. Because of that, the trial had to wait until Awami League came to power in 1996. *Lawyer of Supreme Court. Columnist.  First initiator of filing case against the killers of Bangabondhu.

The highlight of the recent Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperative (APEC) Leaders’ Meeting in the United States, was the bilateral talks between Presidents Biden and Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China. This also marks President Xi’s first visit to the US in six years. Both Presidents have presided over what has become an extremely hostile and competitive relationship. From last year’s spy balloon incident, to the more recent American imposition of restrictions on sharing technology, US China relations had reached a new low. Tensions over Taiwan that still continue, and despite it all, they sat down. Before departing for San Francisco, Biden told reporters at the White House “What we’re trying to do is change the relationship for the better.”  As Xi Jinping arrived in California for talks with leaders, there were big smiles and warm handshakes and a visible effort to bring affability into the bilateral equation. Can these rivals together get a handle on a world of growing conflicts? The US and Chinese Presidents met for the first time in more than a year to stabilise their own downgraded relations at a time when superpowers are feeling the pull factor of many wars; first the war in Ukraine and now in the Middle East, and to that their own stand offs in the Pacific over Taiwan and in the South China Seas. As the Presidents who head the world’s most powerful economies, sat down in San Francisco on the sidelines of the APEC summit, the intention was clear – to bring a sense of rationality into global affairs. To paraphrase US President Joe Biden, “We have to ensure that competition does not veer into conflict.” In a breakthrough for the US, China has agreed to curtail shipments to Latin America and elsewhere of the materials used to produce fentanyl, which is largely finished in Mexico and then smuggled into the US. Xi responded to American concerns about the flow of opioid precursors by acknowledging that fentanyl is a major cause of the drug epidemic, “China sympathises deeply with the American people, especially the young, for the sufferings that fentanyl has inflicted upon them.” This itself marks a major change from previous attitudes China had towards US accusations of fentanyl export. Last year the Chinese Foreign Ministry criticised the U.S. for blaming China for the precursors, saying they’re “ordinary chemicals sold through normal trade.”China says it will target companies reducing the chemicals which drug cartels used to make deadly opioids. The ‘most important and sensitive issue’ at the APEC summit was undoubtedly Taiwan. Media reports indicate that as Biden chided China over its massive military buildup around the island, Jinping assured him that China has no plans to invade Taiwan but urged Biden to support China’s ‘peaceful unification’ with the self-governed island. The superpowers have agreed to resume military communications severed by Beijing. Founder of the microchip giant Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Morris Chang, who has for years represented the self-governing island at the APEC summits because of a diplomatic embargo imposed on it by Beijing, has suggested that the Biden-Jinping meeting could help to promote economic stability and reliable supply chains. One of the things that received a lot of attention is US President Biden’s reference to his Chinese counterpart as a “dictator.” Watching the video clip, the branding does not appear to be a planned strategy, as Biden appears to have reacted to the media, which was goading him. He immediately couched it into a longer sentence about, “in the sense that he’s a guy who runs a country that is a communist country that’s based on a form of government totally different from ours.” Nevertheless the instantaneous branding of President Xi, by Biden undermines the essentially different styles of governance and functioning that the US and China have. Previously in June during a campaign fundraiser in California, Biden had labelled Xi a “dictator”, drawing condemnation from Beijing. But this time rather than attacking Biden personally over the remark, the Chinese foreign ministry opposed it by stating that “there will always be some people with ulterior motives who attempt to incite and damage US-China relations, they are doomed to fail.” The Biden-Xi meeting is no doubt a stabilising moment especially given that the US has been on a very unconstructive path vis-a-vis China during the first years of the present administration. The question is, can the world feel reassured as these rivals, who are also trade partners, resume a conciliatory posture. Indeed none of the summit participants are rooting for more confrontation. The timing of Xi Jinping’s visit to the US and efforts to work out differences, coincides with the first quarterly deficit in China’s foreign direct investment. The country is yet to rebound fully from the COVID-19 pandemic, beside which it faces high youth unemployment and massive debts borne by an overextended housing sector. The sudden and unexplained removals of his foreign minister and defence minister have shrouded China’s current political process in mystery. These and China’s deteriorating global image have raised  questions about Xi’s decision-making forcing him to reevaluate its relations with America. President Xi Jinping received a standing ovation by the business leaders who are interested in continuing to develop the global trade that comes out of the Asia Pacific region and removing barriers to trade. In his address to business community leaders President Xi talked about China being a big market and also a friend to the United States. There are already something like 3000 new protectionist measures in the last year and that is what the business community wants to see the leaders to end. But the reality is that global supply chains have begun to unravel movement in terms of US engagement with Asia, principally in semiconductor, has already begun. For some time now US companies have become more negative than they’ve been in a long time about doing business in China. This sentiment is reflected in China’s annual survey AmCham in which the majority of its more than 900 members no longer regard China as a top-three investment priority. So it is doubtful if the conciliatory behaviour will actually translate into meaningful cooperation. China envisages itself as the centre of cultural, political and economic life in the Asia-Pacific, and it is unlikely to give up what it imagines is a ‘historical’ claim. On the China issue, the opinion ranges to extremes; sometimes it is believed that China is an economic giant threatening the US at every point and on the other hand it is often portrayed to have reached its peak whose economy is slowing with rising unemployment  and deflationary property bubble. After the Biden-Xi meeting some analysts have gone so far as to say that there is no deep reason for any kind of conflict between these two countries and so the idea of containing China is in fact absurd. While the relationship may not be entirely a zero sum game, to state that the geopolitical risk premium around China may have collapsed is taking it too far. There is certainly some truth to the fact that China has economic problems and that is why president Xi wants to have reduced tensions with the US and a successful summit to stabilise relations.  All in all, China has never made a secret about its hope to be the dominant nation by 2049,  the year that marks the centennial of the communist party. There is nothing to show that China has changed its intention at all and indeed the way they are backing Russia in Ukraine and the way they have positioned themselves in the Middle East shows that they remain essentially at conflict with the United States. (Vaishali Basu Sharma is an analyst of strategic and economic affairs. She has worked as a consultant with India’s National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) for nearly a decade. She is presently associated with New Delhi based think tank Policy Perspectives Foundation.)

  Buddhism, one of the world’s most ancient religions, once flourished in what is now Pakistan, particularly in the Gandhara region. With its rich heritage of Buddhist art and culture, Pakistan should be a haven for Buddhists and a site of pilgrimage. However, the reality is quite the opposite. Pakistan’s state-sponsored radical elements, the near-zero Buddhist population, and deceptive government activities are contributing to the destruction of Buddhism in the country. State-sponsored radical elements One of the most significant factors contributing to the destruction of Buddhism in Pakistan is the presence and influence of state-sponsored Islamic radical elements. These extremist groups, often backed by elements within the government, have actively targeted religious minorities, including Buddhists. The result has been the exodus of many Buddhists from the region due to violence and persecution. The rise of radicalism in Pakistan has also led to the destruction of Buddhist heritage sites and artifacts. The Taliban’s infamous blowing up of the ancient Buddhas of Bamiyan in neighbouring Afghanistan sent shockwaves through the Buddhist world. While the destruction of the Buddhas of Bamiyan garnered international attention, similar acts of vandalism have occurred in Pakistan with little global outcry. Zero percent Buddhist population Despite the historical significance of Buddhism in the region, Pakistan today has a negligible Buddhist population, close to zero percent. This dramatic decline is not due to natural demographic shifts but is rather a consequence of persecution, discrimination, and violence against Buddhists. The dwindling Buddhist community in Pakistan reflects a tragic reality of how religious extremism has succeeded in eradicating a once-thriving religious and cultural group. Many Buddhists who remain in Pakistan live in fear for their safety and have been forced to conceal their religious identity. Government’s deceptive actions The Pakistani government’s actions with regard to Buddhism often paint a misleading picture to the international community. They organize events such as Buddhist monk tours, Varsa Vassa, and the Gandhara Symposium to showcase their commitment to the preservation of Buddhist heritage sites. However, these activities often amount to little more than token gestures meant to distract from the harsh realities on the ground. -Buddhist monk tours: The government occasionally organizes tours for Buddhist monks, showcasing Gandhara’s historical sites. While these tours may provide short-term visibility, they do little to address the systemic issues faced by the Buddhist community. -Varsa Vassa: Varsa Vassa, a traditional Buddhist practice, is celebrated in Pakistan with much fanfare, but this celebration lacks authenticity as it is performed by a nearly nonexistent Buddhist population. It is more of a cultural show than a genuine religious practice. -Gandhara Symposium: The Gandhara Symposium, an international event, is hosted to discuss and promote the preservation of Gandhara’s Buddhist heritage. Yet, these discussions often seem superficial when contrasted with the grim realities of Buddhist persecution within Pakistan. Conclusion The government’s efforts to project an image of tolerance and respect for Buddhism ring hollow when the very people it claims to protect continue to face discrimination and violence. The destruction of Buddhism in Pakistan is a tragedy of immense proportions. This region was once a thriving center of Buddhist civilization, boasting numerous monasteries, stupas, and artifacts that stood as testaments to its rich history. Today, these remnants are under threat, and the Buddhist community has been marginalized and persecuted. The influence of state-sponsored radical elements, coupled with a near-zero Buddhist population, paints a bleak picture for the future of Buddhism in Pakistan. The government’s deceptive actions, such as organizing tours and symposiums, cannot hide the harsh realities on the ground. Pakistan’s ongoing financial crisis has dire consequences for the preservation of its rich Buddhist heritage. With limited resources available for cultural preservation, historical Buddhist sites, monasteries, and artifacts are facing neglect and a lack of maintenance. The financial strain also leads to underfunded security measures, increasing the risk of theft and vandalism. Inadequate security can result in the illegal excavation and looting of valuable artifacts, which may end up in the international black market. The financial crisis may inadvertently encourage illicit trade in Buddhist artifacts, as individuals desperate for income may resort to looting and selling stolen items. Additionally, the decline in tourism due to reduced infrastructure and promotional activities further impacts the local economy and diminishes the incentive to protect and preserve these historical treasures. It is crucial for the international community to hold Pakistan accountable for its treatment of religious minorities, including Buddhists. Genuine efforts to protect and preserve Buddhist heritage sites and ensure the safety and well-being of the remaining Buddhist community are needed. Only through true commitment to religious tolerance and cultural preservation can Pakistan hope to reverse the tragic trend of Buddhism’s destruction within its borders. (Chandan Kumar, PhD, is an Assistant Professor at Delhi University, New Delhi, India, specialized in Buddhist studies. He is also a Buddhist activist and strategist and the founder of “Buddhonomics,” a Buddhist-based initiative for sustainable development. His areas of interest include Buddhist ethics, Buddha Dhamma soft power, diplomacy, and the historical significance of silk routes.)

Allegations of manipulating the electoral process have once again become the talk of the town in Pakistan as the politically unstable country goes to the polls early next year. Pakistan has a long record of rigged elections since its independence, where its powerful military played a central role. “Since 2018, we have lost too much political space to the military establishment,” said political analyst Arifa Noor. Pakistan has swung between military and civilian rule since its independence from the colonial British India. The Military has directly ruled Pakistan for roughly half of its 75-year history while ensuring its tight control over the civilian governments the rest of time. The 2018 elections were the most controversial elections Pakistan saw, thanks to pre-poll rigging, vote buying, crackdown on news media and kidnappings. There were direct allegations that the Pakistani army had supported cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan to win the elections and become the prime minister. Leaders from other parties said their members were forced to join Khan’s party using the threats of corruption charges. They also alleged their polling agents were evicted by security officials before the final tally was made. Aqil Shah, political scientist at Oklahoma University, said “If what most political parties are alleging is true. It would be the biggest theft of an election since the 1970s.” Several media personnel were threatened and abducted as their news coverage angered the establishment, a common euphemism in Pakistan to refer to the army. The manipulation by the army included prohibiting specific candidates from contesting elections, censoring news outlets, and blocking political rallies. Prominent journalist Gul Bukhari was kidnapped and released later, which by perceived by many as a message by the military to journalists.3 Even international election observers were tried to be kept away from the electoral process. “We have never had a situation like this in any of our 150-plus missions,” said Dmitra Ioannou, the deputy chief observer for the EU observation mission. While Imran Khan won the 2018 elections, many observers claimed that the real power remained with the army. Interestingly, the same army led to the downfall of the Khan, who was forced to resign in early 2022, and now languishes in jail. Now, he opposes the military interference in the elections. “I categorically oppose the involvement of the army in politics, and in the future they must stay away from politics in Pakistan,” he said. In 2013, similar allegations were made by Khan. He had vowed not to support the army in order to hold free and fair elections in Pakistan. The 2008 elections too could not remain unaffected by the allegations of rigging “The pre-election period was marred by widespread electoral manipulation and a concerted attempt by the government to prevent or reduce the scale of an opposition victory,” found Human Rights Watch. UK Department for International Development (DFID) observed that the 2008 elections were neither free nor fair, which were important in the wake of the transition of power from military to civilian set-up. “Military dictators have used and manipulated elections to consolidate and legitimise executive power and their own position as well as to embrace a return, periodically, to civilian rule,” it said. The Local Government Ordinance (LGO), which was brought by a military government led by General Parvez Musharraf in 2001 was designed to undermine the powers of the provincial governments and legislatures and to neutralize the opposition parties, said Washington-based Urban Institute Centre on International Development and Governance. “Central government manipulation ensured that local government elections in 2001 and 2005 were neither free nor fair,” it said. The Election Commission of Pakistan has historically colluded with the civil-military bureaucracy to manipulate polls, said the International Crisis Group. “Polling procedures are often manipulated; accountability mechanisms for candidates and political parties seldom employed; and the electoral code of conduct routinely flouted,” it said. Now, that Pakistan is set to hold fresh elections in January 2024, there are strong apprehensions over the transparency in the process. Many find problems in delays in holding elections, rigged voter lists, and involvement of the army. Even the Human Rights Commission expressed concerns about the scope for institutions to manipulate the electoral process.15 “What is happening is the biggest pre-poll rigging ever in the history of Pakistan,” said Zulfi Bukhari, a former minister. Source: Thepakmilitarymonitor