It is no more now a surprise that some overenthusiastic US Congressmen appear to be too worried about incidents taking place in countries far away from their own and make requests to the heads of government or the state in such a way, as if, no effective steps are being taken by their administrations for the sake of fair-play and justice. A group of 18 US Congressmen, the other day, is reported to have sent 'a strong letter' to the Bangladesh Prime Minister with the request 'to open a new and fully independent investigation into the grenade attack on the opposition Awami League rally where its leaders including president Sheikh Hasina were present. They sought Khaleda Zia's 'prompt attention and response' to their concern reminding that the request was made 'in the interest of justice, preservation of democratic institutions of law and order, and free and fair elections'.
The US Congressmen also mentioned that despite assurances of a proper investigation of the attack, 'evidence was not properly preserved, and individuals with no connection to the crime were brought forward as false suspects and ultimately released'. Almost in line with the opposition Awami League's usual claim, the signatories to the letter gave a piece of their mind in these words: 'Overall, the failure of this investigation is symbolic of a serious diminution of rule of law in Bangladesh which, in our view, has emboldened lawlessness and allowed Islamist extremist elements to gain ground in Bangladesh.' While drawing the concluding remarks, the group of US Congressmen referred to the subsequent incidents of simultaneous bomb blasts across the country, killing of former finance minister SAMS Kibria and first ever suicide bomb attacks that, undoubtedly, put Bangladesh into red alert.
But had ever the US Congressmen enquired as to why the opposition Awami League leaders being the victims of the grenade attack failed to cooperate with the Bangladesh police and other law enforcing agencies of the establishment for proper investigation and arrest of the attackers. Even the party chief Sheikh Hasina and party workers instead of cooperating with the police, refused to allow the investigating team to examine her bullet-proof vehicle that was reported to have been damaged during the attack. How difficult it is to run things in the government when the opposition instead of extending cooperation to the government remains at loggerheads on each and every issue with the ruling party or alliance.
Like the USA, Bangladesh, too, is a democratic country. And, more precisely, a sovereign Parliament, unlike the USA, with the help of majority party or commanding support of majority members belonging to other parties under parliamentary system, runs the government. On earlier occasions also similar 'strong' letters were sent by another group of Congressmen including some senators of John Kerry and Edward Kennedy's stature and many of the signatories were not aware of the contents of the joint letter that they had signed on request from fellow colleagues. All these often prove the hollowness of the importance of being Congressmen of a country like the United States of America while meddling in others' affairs toeing a party political line and ignoring all the efforts, successful to a great extent, of an elected government.
There is already adverse reaction here in USA too about this controversial letter from the Congressmen, who all are Democrats. One point is good here, none of the Republicans signed such document. But, surely, the members of US Congress should first understand any issue properly before issuing any letter, which would ultimately become too ridiculous and funny.
