Smearing Image of the Country-The Yunus Episode

Finance minister Abul Maal Abul Muhith has again come to the front line as he always been since he has taken oath as a member of the cabinet. He never has been out of the discussion by the people on many different issues. His comment added values (?) to the issues.

What made him unique in the cabinet is to pass comment repeatedly about the share market was which knocked down within a few days after the formation of the government. Let alone ensuring justice followed by proper investigation of scam, he rather preferred to shift the responsibility of the scam on the shoulder of the innocent traders.

And he did not cut short his attempt in doing so. He certified as innocent all the alleged involved the padma bridge scam much before investigation. However, in this role, ACC; the concerned authority in this regard, has also certified Abul Hossain, the ex-minister of communication and others as ‘innocent’.

But outshining all those incidents, his role and comment about the country’s only noble laureate Professor Dr. Yunus has made him extraordinary in this field.

It is observed that the respected were maligned relentlessly by the government. All including the top of the cabinet and other members have participated in this run. We have tried our best to belittle others who are internationally recognized for their outstanding contribution in the national and international level. By doing so, we rather have tarnished the image of the country in the outer world. We have achieved nothing but this…

However, very recently, the finance minister has made another comment abut Dr. Yunus which is noteworthy and astonishing as well. He claimed that for Dr. Yunus, foreign investment is not being done in the country. The remarks (blame) can not be overlooked as the same has been made by a very powerful cabinet member who in not only respected for his honesty but for his flamboyance in his career and familiarity in the economy of the country, otherwise. The wisdom and honesty of the finance minister is beyond any question. The reason of his doing so is really not known to us.  

He only derogated Dr. Yunus without providing any supporting evidence thereto which is very unfortunate, unexpected and surprising from a treasured man like him. It is not only the finance minister, the episode to malign the image of Dr. Yunus is performed by many other members of the cabinet and other allies of the government. It has been repeated by the top brass of the government and even other petite leaders of the party in power.

To be true, such type of activities did not bring any benefit neither for the government or the maker of the comment, let alone the country. It has rather proved their meanness and spitefulness towards the respected persons of the country and finally blemished our image in the outer world.

However, the comment does not carry any veracity at all. And if so happened, then the role and authority of the government in this regard may be questioned. The role of the ministry and the diplomat and also the foreign missions in this regard is also questioned by him. He probably could have understood that what he made was rather baseless considering the economy of the country. There has been foreign investment during this regime. The economy with many upheavals still stands. However, the race may be questioned. But investment, local or foreign, depends on many issues. As Bangladesh is a democracy, investment does not and can not depend on an individual only.  

And last but not the least, another noble laureate, Professor Amartya Sen was also referred to belittle others. We have invited others in our politics or personal vengeance. We should come out of this sort of bustle in our day to day politics.

The writer is Editor of Law and Human Rights, banglanews24.com

BDST: 1613 HRS, NOV 11, 2012
EAP