Fakir Shah

Nobody can blame the people of Bangladesh for their sensibility. We are overflowing with emotions—whether it’s politics, cricket, or personal matters. But when it comes to showing sensibility toward others, especially those who are suffering, that’s a different story. Empathy and compassion for others seem as foreign to us as a distant, unreachable land.

The victims of enforced disappearances, along with their families, have endured unimaginable torment. Their suffering doesn’t end with the abduction; it spirals into a deep psychological decline. Both the victims and their loved ones are left grappling with crippling depression, anxiety, a sense of powerlessness, guilt, and post-traumatic stress. And when the victims are finally released, they are warned, by the very people who abducted them, not to speak about their disappearance. 

On September 2, 2024, Zulkarnain Saer, a journalist with a history of working for Al Jazeera and contributing to various international news media, posted on Facebook criticizing Prothom Alo for its coverage of BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed using a vehicle owned by S Alam Group. In the final days of the Awami League government, Zulkarnain’s posts inspired and informed many people in Bangladesh. His ability to gather and publish information from security forces is invaluable, given the lack of reporting on the inner workings of our armed forces. His contributions to the fall of the AL government are undeniable. However, I respectfully disagree with the views he expressed in this post, which I believe are dangerous for our fragile democracy. It’s important to note that his perspective is shared by a significant group in Bangladesh.