CHAPTER-12
RAW TARGETS BANGLADSHI YOUTH
The progeny of any nation are its real force. Today’s young generation will serve the nation tomorrow. They are the ones who will lead their nation towards prosperity and save it from internal and external enemies.’ The young ones of today will be responsible tomorrow for safeguarding the freedom, sovereignty and integrity of the country. If they (the younger generation) are alert and united then enemies cannot implement their nefarious designs.
RAW, which is bent on damaging the independence and sovereignty of Bangladesh, realizes that the country’s youth is the most formidable obstacle in the way of its ugly designs. Thus RAW has devised elaborate plans to influence the minds of the younger generation. RAW wants to wipe out spirit of independence and pride from their identity and heritage. It believes that if it can manage to eliminate revolutionary thoughts and high moral from Bangladeshi youth, they will become easy prey for its evil scheme. In order to achieve this goal, RAW is working on various fronts. Some of them are :
Promotion of Narcotics
RAW is pushing various narcotics through its agents, traders and smugglers into Bangladesh. Under RAW’s instructions, Indian border authorities connive with smugglers and help them in trafficking of narcotics into Bangladesh. At a time. when the entire world has declared an open war against narcotics, RAW is patronising drug pushers and smugglers. It is making crores of Takas by this illicit trade, besides converting the youth of Bangladesh into drug addicts. The Bangladesh Rifles and Directorate of Narcotics have seized huge quantities of Heroin, cocain, Aphim, Charas, Ganja and Bhang etc. during the recent years. These drugs originate from India and are infiltrated into Bangladesh through porous borders under patronage of RAW Officials.
A senior official of Directorate of Narcotics admitted that the flow of drugs from India can hardly be checked. Despite efforts only five percent of quantity smuggled can be seized by Bangladesh border authorities, while the drug pushers manage to smuggle the rest through the porous border using road, rail and water ways"(The Daily Inqilab : January 21, 1995).Recently smuggling of cigarette pipes filled with ‘Ganja’ (0ne kind of narcotic) has also been spotted. Directorate of Narcotics seized 8725 such pipes in 1993 and 6114 in 1994. Directorate of Narcotics also seized pethidine, ID lacquer, local wine, Fattener wine, ‘Tari’ (one kind of local wine), Spirit, Vinecherd Spirit, Bakar, Patvi, Hilly wine, TD, Genisock injection etc. Trafficking of phensydil has also been discovered In 1993.
Directorate of Narcotics seized 29514 cans, in 1994 (jan-Oct) 56,126 bottles and 1058 litre cans were seized. On the other hand Bangladesh Rifles seized 2087 bottles and 32829 bottles of phensydil in 1993 and 1994 respectively. Daily ‘AI Mujaddiecl’ wrote in its issue of December 6, 1995, "More than one crore bottles of Fencidi have been smuggled into Bangladesh. Cost of the same comes to 90 crore takas’. It may be explained that Phencidyl is a very harmful drug. Its addict loses white blood cells. The development of new blood cells stops. This’ leads to sure death.
Drug trafficking has become a serious problem in Bangladesh. There are more than five hundred illegal sale centres in Dhaka alone. The number of addicts is on the increase. There are more than one lakh drug addicts in Dhaka according to a WHO report but other sources say that number is about four lakh. National professor and prominent physician Dr. Nurul Islam told The Daily Inqilab that increasing drug addiction among the youth may cause shortage of young man power in the coming years. Theinvolvement of youth in immoral and unsocial activities ‘will adversely affect country’s economy and social fibre. This is exactly what RAW desires.
Bangladesh is a poor country but the abuse of addiction is making it worse. According to careful estimates 500 crore takas are wasted every year through use of drugs and narcotics in the country.Whatever its consequences may be for Bangladesh but RAW has earned the singular notoriety of being an intelligence agency which promotes drugs for furthering its nefarious agenda.
Supplementing Terrorism RAW has been smuggling arms, ammunition and explosives in Bangladesh to supplement terrorism. Their primary targets are universities and other educationa1 institutions, trade unions and political parties. Due to unabated smuggling of weapons by RAW agents, the country is witnessing unparalleled proliferation of arms. The frequency of armed clashes between various student groups, trade union activists and cagres of political parties has increased manifold. Only in ((Dhaka university 55 students were killed in armed clashes during the last 24 years.
The Daily Inqilab reported in its issue of August 7, 1995 that huge quantity of illegal arms was being smuggled into Bangladesh from India. Also included in the category are land mines, mortar bombs and high powered VHF wireless sets. Most of these arms are made in India. The s~uggling of weapons is taking place, through t4eporous Indo-Bangladesh border. Besides, Shantibahini was also smuggling arms into Bangladesh.
Daily Al Mujadded reported in its issue of January 19, 1995 that a number of illegal arms and ammunition factories were operating in Indian towns located near Indo-Bangladesh border. RAW is known to be patronizing these factories. The arms and ammunition manufactured in these factories are mostly smuggled into Bangladesh with the help of RAW agents:- In 1993 some illegal factories were also unearthed in Bangladesh at Chittagong, Mymensingh and Rajshahi. These were carrying out their nefarious business in collaboration with RAW agents. The raw material for these factories used to be smuggled from India.
On February 13, 1995, police seized 2016 Indian made chocolate bombs in Demra, when these were being taken to the capital city Dhaka. There are reports .that large quantity of deadly explos.ies is smuggled into the country which is used for preparation of bombs, mines and other sabotage material.According to the Daily Sangram a huge quantity of arms and ammunition is regularly smuggfed from India. Smugglers, anti-social elements, armed cadre~ of political parties, terrorists criminals, trade union activists and students are getting modern weapons from RAW agents.
These arms are smuggled into Bangldesh using different channels through land, air and waterways. Though police has been seizing a lot of arms but still a large quantity of arms finds its way to unlawful hands. Smuggling is done by RAW agents in such a systematic manner that police and other agencies remain unaware. The newspaper further informs that there are reports that arms producing factories have been established near Bangladesh borders under the patronage of RAW. Existence of such factories at 24 Pargana, Bangaon, Ranaghat, NAdia, Aurangabad and Dalian have been learnt. The Daily states that the provincial and Central Governments. of India are maintaining suspicious silence about these illegal factories. It indicates that the illegal business has tacit support of higher Indian authorities(The daily Sangram : March 8, 1995).
The Daily Inqilab reported that Railway police arrested a RAW agent named Ganesh Biswas from compartment No. 3599 of Khulna-Goalando mail train with arms and ammunition on January 6, 1995. Ganesh was smuggling arms and ammunition on behalf of Dilip Boshak of Nadia District, India and was to deliver it to an individual affiliated to a political party. Ganesh told police that he has been involved in trafficking of illegal arms inside Bangladesh for the past many years.The above reports amply highlight the involvement of Indian authroities particularly RAW in smuggling of arms ammuniton and explosive into Bangladesh. .
Proliferation of Immoral Video and cassettes of Indian films are easily available in urban as well as in rural areas of Bangladesh. There are hundreds of thousands of video shops all over the couAtry.Dhaka alone has about 50,000 video shopswhele IndiaI)films are available for sale and hire"(The Daily Jonakantha : October 23, 1994).It is indeed surprising to note that the nation which had fought and struggled against ‘Urdu’ now proudly watches Hindi films and listens to Hindi music. People who fought against autocratic Pakistani regime, are now watching Indian cultural aggression as silent spectators. The Daily further writes that the business of obscene films is booming under the garb of Hindi films. Most of these obscehe films are prepared in India and smuggled to Bangladesh. The ea.sy availabiltiy of these obscene films is a grave threat for the, plorals of our new generation.
RAW is known to patronise this organized dirty game. Their aim is to destroy the moral fibre of our new generation and make it vulnerable to secularistic approach.It is an established modus operandi of RAW to use sex as bait for enrolment and running of agents. It provides obscene reading and video material to its agents and contacts. RAW regularly purchases large quantities of English and Hindi pornographic magazines and blue video films for circulation. RAW’s safe houses serve as virtural sex houses where carnal desires of its agents are taken care of Of course such compromising moments are also preserved in the cameras for future black mailing in case the agent shows signs of wavering or slackening. It may be mentioned that such practices are resorted to by other intelligence agencies as well at limited scale. But RAW perhaps is the only agency which distributes pronographic literature and video films in bulk to spoil the entire youth of a target country. Indeed for RAW no holds are barred in the ruthless pursuit of its objectives.
CHAPTER-13
ECONOMIC EXPLOITATION
The free and massive flow of commodities from India into Bangladesh reminds us of the colonial era, when an imperialist power would cqnquer a country or a region and use it as its market. India with the assistance of RAW’s stooges has been able to turn Bangladesh into an Indian market. without ACTUALLY occupying it. It is most unfortunate that while no preventive steps have been taken by the Government, the opposition parties also show an incomprehensible indifference to this national problem. During the British rule and even during the Pakistan period political parties had been very vocal against economic exploitation of foreign powers but no such reaction has yet been shown against similar exploitation by India. Experienced circles opine that RAW and its agents have manipulated things to the extent that Government officials as well as politicians have become indifferent to sufferings of common people. Besides, a group of dishonest traders who may not necessarily be agents of RAW acts as strong lobby for Indians for their own selfish interests.
Large scale smuggling of Indian goods into Bangladesh cannot be carried out without active patronage and abetment of officials of border controlling agencies. Infact, Unscrupulous officials, many of them are on pay roll of RAW, are primarily responsible for flooding Bangladesh with smuggled goods from India. These officials dexterously provide protection for sale of Indian goods in Bangladesh. Since RAW’s agents are entrenched everywhere in administration and they support each other’s illegal activities, therefore, it becomes difficult to expose them. The Government has so far failed to take effective measures to check this illegal business.
The Government’s unwise economic policies are also responsible for turning Bangladesh into Indian market. As a result the balance of trade has tilted heavily in India’s favour. Reportedly the total India-Bangladesh trade comprises of 97% exports from India and only 3% exports from Bangladesh. Instead of insisting on equitable trade with India, unusual concessions have been granted to promote import of Indian goods. Granting excessive concessions to India without regard to own economy has proved ruinous for the indigenous economy and industry.
Giving details of trade between India and Bangladesh, The Daily New Nation wrote, “Trade between the two countries stands at 60 crore dollars compared to that of seven crore dollars five years ago”(The Daily New Nation: August 29, 1995).It may be mentioned that efforts for undermining economy of Bangladesh were started by India soon after the emergence of the country in December 1971. Almost all Governments of Bangladesh, starting from the one which assumed power in 1971, helped Indians in this regard through grant of unwarranted concessions and unwise trade policies coupled with actions of RAW’s agents in higher echelons of Bangladesh. The crippling of Bangladesh economy could be witnessed right from the outset. Some of the examples are:-
a) During 1971, 100 Pakistani rupees could be exchanged for 110 Indian rupees. In January 1972, the then Bangladesh Government devalued Bangladeshi currency drastically which made the value of Bangladeshi currency 66% lower than Indian currency.
b) Bangladesh’s economy was made India-oriented declaring economy of India and Bangladesh complementary.
c) The Government withdrew ban on exporting jute from Bangladesh to India which was imposed during the Pakistan period. As a result, larg.e scale sale and smuggling of Bangladeshi jute to India started. In no time the jute market was captured by India and our jute industry suffered serious set-back from which it never recovered.
d) In 1972 India compelled Bangladesh to sign the treaty of free border trade with India. As a result Indian commodities got free legal access to a belt upto 1O miles inside Bangladesh territory without any customs duty.
In practice those commodities did not remain confined to a belt of 10 miles alone. Rather these were freely transported to all parts of the country making Bangladesh a vast market for Indians goods. It may be noted that while the said treaty was used for flooding Bangladesh with Indian commodities, Bangladeshi goods were hot allowed on one pretext or the other to get easy access to even 10 miles inside India.
The trade agreement between Bangladesh and India signed in March 1972 states clearly that export and import of the two countries should be of equal value, that is to say, India would purchase the same vQlume of Bangladeshi commodities as Bangladesh would purchase from India in terms of money. But India has completely disregarded the relevant provision of the agreement. India intentionally avoids buying Bangladeshi goods as she manages to have these through smuggling at cheaper prices. As a result the trade balance between Bangladesh and India tilted heavily in favour of India.
Some of our Government officials are equally responsible for ruining our trade and industry. They formulate policies which suit India. In return they are rewarded by favours and commissions. It is alleged by knowledgeable circles that India gives handsome commission to some officials of different ministries and directorates who in turn favour India by importing goods from India on one pretext or the other. There are reports that even senior political figures of the Government are involved in the racket.
The trade deficit between Bangladesh and India from 1972 to 1976 was Tk 269.89 crores. From 1976 to 1981 it rose to Tk 315.83 crores. Now let us see what happened after 1982. Muchkund Dubey, the ex-Foreign Secretary of India presented the following figures at a meeting in New Delhi(The Weekly Holiday: February 17, 1995) .
Year Indian Exports to Imports from Trade Surpluses
Bangladesh Bangladesh
1982-83 Rs 32.47. Crores Rs 3.89 Crores Rs 28.58 Crores
1983-84 Rs 57.40 Crores Rs 29.74 Crores Rs 27.66 Crores
1984-85 Rs 106.50 Crores Rs 45.51 Crores Rs 60.99 Crores
1985-86 Rs 128.75 Crores Rs 25.86 Crores Rs 112.88 Crores
1986-87 Rs 162.01 Crores Rs 23.08 Crores Rs 138.93 Crores
1987-88 Rs 186.81 Crores Rs 14.79 Crores Rs 172.02 Crores
1988-89 Rs 261.94 Crores Rs 14.53 Crores Rs 247.41 Crores
1989-90 Rs 458.03 Crores Rs 19.60 Crores Rs 438.43 Crores
1990-91 Rs 547.38 Crores Rs 31.42 Crores Rs 515.96 Crores
1991-92 Rs 798.49 Crores Rs 14.96 trores Rs 783.53 Crores
1992-93 Rs 1038.88 Crores Rs 35.99 Crores Rs 1002.89 Crores
1993-94 Rs 1349.69 Crores Rs 56.09 Crores Rs 1293.60 Crores
1994-95 Rs 881.00 Crores Rs 46.40 Crores Rs 834.60 Crores
Firsthalf)
It is surprising that authorities concerned do not feel any need to narrow down trade gap. The only way to bridge this imbalance is to increase the volume of export of Bangladeshi goods to India; but India has so far obstructed import of Banglades.hi goods by keeping its tariff abd custom duty unusually high, specially for those items that Bangladesh can export to India. It is believed that some highly placed Bangladeshi officials under RAW’s influence and patronage are mainly responsible for such a massive trade deficit. Indian goods get easy access to Bangladesh as in many cases the tariff and custom duties on foreign goods have been lowered from 95% to 20%.
But India has not reduced its duties and kept these at the level of about 85%, especially for those Bangladeshi goods which have a good and excessive demand in India. According to available figures, average tariff rate in Bangladesh is 23% while in India it is 40%. Similarly, the average duty on consumer goods in India is around 90% while it is only 20% in Bangladesh(The Weekly Holiday: February 17, 1992).Resultantly Bangladeshi goods cannot have easy access to India. Bangladesh Government and its officials could have" imposed the same rate of customs duty on Indian goods to compel India to lessen its customs duty on Bangladeshi goods. But some of the Bangladeshi officials seem to have mortgaged thefuselves to RA. Wand hence they cannot take any reta1i~tory action against India’s trade aggression.
The pro-India attitude of these officials is evident not only by their failure to take retaliatory measures but also by their readiness to grant concessions to India. The tariff rates applicable to Indian goods in many cases are lower than the rates for other countries. These tariff concessions lure Bangladeshi traders to import lower grade Indian goods instead of better quality goods from other countpies.
Such concessions encourage imports from India despite the fact that Indian goods are inferior in quality to the goods of many other countries. The lower tariffs -on Indian goods result in lower prices compared to goods of other countries, hence despite poor quality they have managed to capture Bangladeshi markets. Moreover, large quantities of Indian goods are also smuggled into the country without paying any tax or duty. As a result they become even cheaper. Under the circumstances goods of other countries cannot compete with Indian goods. However, the main sufferers in the bargain are common people who are forced to buy sub standard Indian goods. Besides it causes grave loss to local industry and economy.
Informed circles stated that RAW agents in different Government departments manipulate concesion f9r India in such a way that these appear innocuous to common people. Very few persons are aware of the impact of such hidden concessions granted to India under the garb of mutual and bilateral understanding. It may also be pointed out that despite, knowing the damage-smuggling is inflicting on national economy, no firm anti smuggling measures have been undertaken by Items authorities concerned. If Government departments hadreally been sincere to contain smuggling, Bangladesh would never have been flooded with Indian goods. Indifference to wage concerted anti-smuggling drive is clear proof of connivance of higher ups in the affair. Indeed these are the people who, for their personal interests, have jeopardised the nation’s future and economic well being.
"One of the major factors for converting Bangladesh into Indian market is smuggling. It has been learnt that Indian Government and its various agencies including Border Security Forces (BSF) encourage smuggling into Bangladesh. When Indian commodities are smuggled into Bangladesh, BSF personnel pretend not to see anything. But they show their alertness in guarding against goods of Bangladesh being smuggled into India. They, however, remain indifferent and blind when gold, silver, jute,newsprint, Hilsha fish are smuggled from Bangladesh into India as this smuggling is helpful for Indian economy.Union Government as well as some state Governments of India, viz. West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura knowingly and intentionally are engaged in ruining the economy of Bangladesh through smuggling. Goods worth Tk. 8 to 10 thousand crores are smuggled into Bangladesh from India annually"(The Daily Al-Mujadded : January 29, 1995).
A prestigious weekly of Bangladesh, The ‘Holiday’ wrote: "The cross-border trade, or informal trade, or. call it smuggling, if you like, amounts to anything between ‘100 to 200 percent of the formal trade, or may be more for nobody knows for sure"(The Weekly Holiday: February 10, 1995).Besides paying huge bribes to corrupt Bangladeshi officials for their help in promoting Indian goods, various measures are being employed by RAW to control t:qe market mechanism. These measures include :
a. Bangladeshi traders are offered to obtain Indian goods on credit. All goods, from heavy trucks to onions, can be imported from India into Bangladesh on credit. It is
indeed lucrative offer for traders who make huge profits without any investment of their own. However, little do they realize that by so doing they are playing in Indian hands.
b. Lucrative commissions are offered to middlemen for securing contracts for the supply of Indian goods.
c. In order to sell poor quality Indian goods they even resort to despicable practices e.g., labeling their goods as products of other countries. Similarly practice of marketing Indian goods in packets of other brands is also in vogue. Here we can cite an example of marketing lower quality Indian cement. At present Bangladesh imports 1.8 million tons of cement from Indonesia, Burma, Malaysia, North Korea, China, Iran, Russia, Iraq etc. Cement from these countries meets standard British specifications while Indian cement does not meet the standard in many cases and hence is not popular. However, Indian cement preducing companies have started marketing their cement in bags marked with bull head, eagle etc, similar t9 the cement bags of Indonesia. This is done to deceive illiterate buyers. Moreover, empty bags of Indonesian and Chinese cement are purchased from the marl,t.et. It is alleged that these bags are filled with Indian cement and sold in the market as cement from Indonesia or China. To market this inferior Indian cement, credit. is arranged upto Rs 10 million for Bangladeshi dealers. (Daily Inqilab : January 18, 1995).
d. RAW provides support to its agents to set up’ joint ventures in collaboration with’ Bangladeshi enterprenuer. These companies only import Indian goods and sell them in Bangladesh. Many of these enterprises are totally financed by RAW. The mock Bangladeshi partners of such companies remain dormant while the entire business is conducted by RAW agents and operatives from behind.
The net result of above nefarious practices, conducted with active help of RAW, is that Bangladesh’s economy has suffered serious set backs. The reason for destroying Bangladesh’s economy is to propagate that Bangladesh is economically unviable, RAW hopes that, pver burdened bypoverty and squalor, Bangladesh will abandon its dream of becoming a sovereign and prosperous country. Bangladesh will thus be left with no option but to acquiesceato Indian machination and subjugation. Here I would remind’ the esteemed readers about theplight of the erstwhile Soviet Union. The economic degradation of the mighty Soyiet Union was major reason for its fall and disintegration. Let us pray the same fate does not befall on Bangladesh.
CHAPTER-14
MINERAL RESOURCES
The vital role played by mineral resources of a country in its economic development needs no explanation. Experts believe that Bangladesh has been endowed with rich mineral resources. However, unfortunately due to Indian manipulations with the help of RAW’s paid agents in Bangladeshi bureaucracy, Bangladesh has been unable to fully reap the benefits of the hidden treasures and put an end to its’ economic dilemma. ‘RAW’s impediments in Bangladesh’s efforts for exploration of minerals are for two reasons. Firstly, they fear that Bangladesh may drain oil from India’s wells in Assam and secondly Bangladesh’s self sufficiency in its mineral resources would enhance its economic stability resulting into the demise of India’s long awaited desire of amalgamating Bangladesh and formation of ‘Akhand Bharat".
"After emergence of Hangladesh, Prime Minister Sheikh Mujibur Rahman divided the coastal region into six sectors and leased them to foreign companies for exploration of oil and gas. The respective companies took on the job but just after a short span of time for reasons unknown shut downthe projects and left Bangladesh. No inquiry was made and no reason was offered by the Government for this closure.It is said that these companies closed their operations at the urging of KGB and RAW. Professor Abu Sayed in his book ‘Facts and Documents’ writes that the company which was carrying out exploration at the sea coast adjacent to Barisal was attacked by Indian gun boats in broad day light, dismantling the erected infrastructure"(Daily Rupali, March 2, 1992).
"Another example of RAW’s influence in abating Bangladesh’s efforts of exploring mineral resources is of Feni Gas Field. The gas field was discovered during the regime of late President Ziaur Rahman. But soon after the- death of President Zia the project was abandoned for being ‘economically unviable’.However, the experts did not believe the official explanation. The project was re-opened after ten years and is now running profitably thus contributing a lot to the country’s economy. Many more examples can be quoted of projects which started with pomp and show but were later stopped or discontinued for reasons unknown"(Daily AI Mujadded : June 2, 1995).
"During president Ershad’s regime foreign companies were once again given contracts for exploration of oil. Scimitar, one of the companies, was given oil exploration rights in Sylhet. Soon RAW orchestrated allegations through some political parties in Bangladesh that the country’s interests were being bartered away to Scimitar. Ultimately the company abandoned the project and left. Thus RAW achieved objective of protecting their vital economic interests beside scaring away other companies from undertaking on such ventures in Bangladesh.
Similarly a French Company, B Fistal that had almost struck oil reserves at Shalbahan in Dinajpur, abandoned its project in Bangladesh. Later it was revealed that India had laid a bait for purchase of billions of dollars worth weaponry including Mirage 2000 fighter aircrafts from France beside awarding B Fistal company a big oil exploration project just 5 Kms opposite Shalbahan at Jamidarpara, West Bengal, India"(Dainik BangIa: August 23, 1994).
RAW uses terrorists of Shantibahinf not to allow any oil exploration in the Chittagong Hill Tracts region including Samutang. Understandably no foreign firm will risk an exploration work in the region as long as violence persists in the area.There are reports that oil reserves had been struck at Patbaria, Sylhet (then part of Assam) in 1908. However,further work was not pursued at the site because the British authorities of that time did not feel the need for additional oil as they had already discovered oil in Dibrugarb and Digboy in Assam. In 1947 Sylhet was separated from Assam and became a part of Pakistan.
Presently it is a part of Bangladesh. In November 1987 the Government of Bangladesh, with the help of Saudi Development Fund, started exploration for oil at Patharia. But after considerable digging and investment of 40 crore takas it was belatedly realised by the concerned authorities that there were some procedural complexities.Thus on the said plea this project was also shelved. Observers believe that RAW manipulated and’ arranged abandoning of this promising project. Similarly the exploration of oil fields at Haripur (reported to be the biggest oil field in Asia) and Kailash Tila (Sylhet) were stopped under mysterious circumstances. All the above examples bring out the fact that RAW is determined to prevent any exploration venture in Bangladesh particularly the exploration of oil in Sylhet area as they fear that underground oil reserves of Assam may drain toSylhet due to proximity. Indians have been using some corrupt Bangladeshi bureaucrats and technical experts for furthering their designs. According to a press report published in the ‘Daily Inqilab’ during January 1993, Deputy Director Habibur Rahman of Geological Survey Directorate Bangladesh was paid cash money, expenses for travel to India and a phd. degree in exchange for secret survey reports regarding mineral resources of Bangladesh.
Besides creating strong impediments in the way of exploring oil reservers, RAW has been creating hindrances in exploratory work of other mineral resurces as well. One glaring example is the hurdles created by India in the exploration of Madhyapara hard rock for simple reason that Bangladesh should remain dependent on India for its hard rock imports. Similarly hurdles were created to prevent exploration of coal at Barapukuria.RAW’s agents, instigated the land owners of Barapukuria to resist exploratory work on the plea of inadequate compensations paid for their agricultural lands. Yet another example of nation’s mineral wealth lying unexplored is the case of Uranium and Potassium ores at Joypurhat-Sylhet. Despite confirmed reoprts of huge deposits, no further work has been undertaken for the development of the said mines.
Dr. G.W. Gableman (a Geologist involved in the exploration of oil and gas) in an article published in Internatiopal Atomic Energy Journal had stated as’early as 1970 that,there are vIsible signs of presence of high grade Uraniu’m in B;;ingladesh. Based on said report an exploration venture was started by the Bangladesh Government in the area’ of Fultala, Maulvibazar, Sylhet during 1976. The explorations confirmed the presence of high grade Ur;;inium btit the project was suddenly stopped in 1986 owing to RAW’s conspiracies. On the contrary,India is extracting Uranium in Meghalaya, only a few kilometres away from Sylhet border.
According to ‘The Daily AI Mujadded’, February 27,1995, Bangladesh has huge lime stone deposits’ i.e. 17 million tons in Bolgi Bazar;’1.8 million tons in Takerhat, 2 million tons at Bhanger Ghat, and 40 thousand tons at Balapunji. All these are lying unexplored. The newspaper further reported that experienced observers believe that RAW is involved in preventing exploitation of ‘ the said mineral resou:r:ces. RAW has bribed high officials of Bangladesh concerned with mineral exploration who do not permit any progress to take place in this sector.
The same newspaper in a later review (AI Mujadded, May 16, 1995) wrote that on, account of indecision by the ministry of Science and Technology, 50 lakh tons of Bhlck Gold (Zircon, Rutail, Liukuxin, kayanite, Magnetite, Garnet and Manazite mixed with sand are termed as Black Gold) present in the south-eastern coastal region and adjoining islands is lying unexplored. Needless to mention that the bi-products of Black Gold can be utilized in industries such as paper, electrode welding, aircrafts, space technology and nuclear fission etc. . .
Due to lack of financial resources and adequate indigenous facilities, Bangladesh has to depend on foreign investors for exploration projects. But RAW is continuously discouraging foreign investors, sometimes by using political pressure tactics and sometimes by bribing the concerned officials.RAW’s modus operandi in’ this regard is summarized as below :
a. RAW has been propagating that there are no mineral deposits in Bangladesh, thus discouraging foreign companies form investment in the sector.
b . RAW offers huge amounts as bribe to foreign as well as local engineers and staff employed on preparation o( feasibility reports of new projects, to’ get ‘tailored’ reports suggesting that exploration will not be viable and productive.
c. Different Directorates and Ministry officials in Bangladesh concerned with processing of new projects in some cases are bribed to hinder br delay the proposals for exploration. The foreign companies thus get disgruntled due to bureacratic hassles and delays and eventually decide to abandon the project.
d. Even if some foreign company manages to overcome all the hurdles and starts’ a project, its work and functioning are made difficult by local agents of RAW. Since 1972 many companies who had started projects, left midway due to harassment by RAW agents. Obviously seeing their plight no other company will dare to come forward.The ingress of RAW in various ministries, directorates and organisations of Bangladesh is so paramount that it has successfully sabotaged many projects. Large number of abortive projects are clear proof of this treachery. It is believed that until the patriotic people of Bangladesh root out RAW agents from departments and ministries concerned with exploration of mineral resources, no worthwhile progress can be ‘made in this field. Consequently, Bangladesh will continue to remain poor and subservient to India. The question, however, remains when will the rooting out of firmly saddled RAW agents begin?
CHAPTER-15
GARMENT INDUSTRY
The garment industry has played a pioneering role in the development of industrial sector of Bangladesh. Though it took a rather late start i.e., in 1976 but it soon established its reputation in the world market within a short span of time. Resultantly garment is now one of the main export items of the country. Besides, enriching the country’s economy it has played a very important role in alleviating unemployment. At present there are more than two thousand one hundred garment factories in the country employing more than 12 lakh labourers. 85 percent of the labour force are women.
Once Sri-Lanka was leader in this field in South Asia and India was its competitor. The Indian intelligence agency RAW activated the Tamils of Indian origin in a separatist movement thus starting a bloody civil war resulting in the quick demise of the garments industry of Sri-Lanka. The international buyers and investors diverted their attention towards Bangladesh. As a result the garments industry of Bangladesh expanded with unprecedented success. During the financial year 1993-94 Bangladesh earned 6199.8 crore taka in ‘this sector.India is. envjous of such an unprecedented success of Bangladesh. India has always remained vigilant of even the slightest success of Bangladesh in any sector with apprehensions of loosing contol over Bangladesh. It is an unabated portion of her strategy to ensure that Bangladesh does not make progress in any field. So if Bangladesh makes any success in any sector, India starts conspiring to ruin Bangladesh in that sector. The success in garments industry of Bangladesh had posed a challenge to India. India thus hatched a conspiracy to eliminate Bangladesh from the markets of USA and Europe. For fulfilling this heinous plan RAW, besides utilizing its agents in Bangladesh, developed a strong lobby in Europe, America and Far East against the garments industry of Bangladesh.
India’s first attempt was to bring within its grip the buyers associations. Through clever manipulations India has succeeded in controlling the buying houses of Korea and Hong Kong. The buying houses generally obtain orders for ready made garments from different countries. The owners of Indian controlled buying houses started concerted campaign to stop foreign companies from giving. any contract to Bangladesh. They try to impress upon the buyers of Europe and America that (1) Bangladesh was not capable of producing good work, (2) the businessmen and industrialists of Bangladesh were not honest and (3) above all, the garments made in Bangladesh were below standard.
To establish these falsehoods RAW infiltrated its agents. in different garment factories of Bangladesh. The works that RAW carried out through these agents are listed below:
a. To search for fabrics which are not covered by contract.
b. To supply garments of low standard, ruffled up with out any stitch.
c. Export less number of garments than stipulated in the
contract.
d. Pack the carton with torn pieces of cloth instead of garments.
e. Make deliberate delay in exporting the order placed.
Such incidents happened many times in the past thus jeopardizing markets of Bangladesh. The owners of the garment factories soon realised this conspiracy and took timely step to remedy. the situation thus foiling the conspiracy of RAW. But this conspiracy was not over for good. RAW agents still carry out such heinous acts where ever they get an opportunity.
Another aspect of RAW’s conspiracy is to drag the labour of garment industry into trade union movements. Unhealthy trade union movement can playa pioneering role in disrupting the production of industrial sector. In the earlier .stages there were no trade union in the garments industry. But gradually the trade union movement crept into the garments industry. Under the cover of demandingthe legitimate rights of garment iabour RAW created. discontent among the labours, thus seriously affecting production and in some cases the industries had to be closed down. As exports have to be carried out within a fixed time frame and once the exports are not made in time then the contract is cancelled. RAW is engaged in spreading discontent in our garments industry so that the buyers of Europe and USA turn their faces away from Bangladesh.
The organisations of labours of the garment industries very often hold meetings, distribute pamphlets and from time to time give statements making various demands. RAW collects these. pamphlets, statements and other publicity materials of the garment labour, even make tape recordings of their statements and send them to the foreign buyers augmenting it by saying that the garment labour of Bangladesh work in a very unhealthy atmosphere and live in a sub human life.
In pursuance for the destruction-of the garment industryof Bangladesh RAW has engaged some dishonest traders, fake producers, exporters and in complicity with a section of officers of the Export Promotion Bureau who have been carrying out their heinous activities. Under instruction of RAW they obtain false no objection certificates and through fake documents export garments to USA and other foreign countries. RAW agents have earned crores of takas by fictitious certificates of Export Promotion Bureau. In the financial year 1993-94 a false export consigment of four hundred crore taka was detected which was exported to USA(Daily Inqilab : October 22, 1994).
The same issue of Inqilab reported that India in the financial year 1993-94 exported low quality garments to the USA j;ri the name of Bangladesh. This consignment was exported by fictitious certificate of Export Promotion Bureau ‘under the category of 320 and 652. In the financial year 1992-93, in a similar m,Slnner India exported below standard garments to ‘USA worth 25 million dollars. The customs intelligence officers of the USA after enquiry unearthed this fraud.
As a consequence Bangladesh suffered on account of the fraudulent activities of India, r;sultantly the quantum of export of Bangladeshi garments got considerably reduced. During the fina,ncial year of 1992-93 Bangladesh had exported to the USA, garments worth 65 crore 50 lakh dollars and in the next year I.e. in the finacial year 1993-94 the export was reduced to 54 crore 50 lakh dollars consequent to India’s fraudulent activities.
It is viewed with concern that India succeeded in spoiling the good image of Bangladeshi garments. As a consequence Bangladesh has lost many of its foreign markets. In the financial year 1993-94, the target for garments export was 165 crore dollars. But on account of the fraudulent measures of RAW this target could not be achieved and there was a short fall of 22 percent. RAW’s agents exported substandard garments to
European countries particularly to Italy and Germany through fake GSP certificates on behalf of Bangladesh. Though those substandard garments were not made in Bangladesh, but they did earn a bad name for Bangladesh and also affected future Bangladeshi exports to these countries. Italy substantially reduced the quantum of imports of garments from Bangladesh. These actions have badly harmed the country’s economy, but no official inquiry was held to investigate the frauds. The Bangladeshi officers who connived with RAW for the said fraudulent transactions are still holding their respective posts and continue to serve the foreign interests(Daily Inqilab : October 2, 1994).
The campaign launched in the USA regarding the employment’ of child labour in the garment industry of Bangladesh is also sponsored’ by RAW. The Bangladeshi nagents of RAW had prepared a TV documentary about employment of child labour in the garment industry of Bangladesh for ABC Television. RAW collected the video cassettes of that programme and sent them to senators, members of the Congress and other top policy-makers of the USA. Influenced by the publicity campaign orchestrated by RAW agents, US Senator Tom Harkins submitted a bill in the Senate known as ‘Harkins Bill’. This bill stipulated that those countries which employ child; labour will not be allowed to send their industrial products to the USA.
Mr. Harkins while citing example mentioned the name of Bangladesh. Despite passage of this bill RAW did not desist itself from indulging in anti-Bangladesh propaganda and publicity. In its latest move RAW organised a union of 40 children and religious organisations in the USA to be known as child Labour Coalition. This organisation has no local sta.nding and is not even recognised by the USA. This organisation has engaged itself in a systematic propaganda against Bangladesh regarding child labo~r in the garment industry. The Indians went from door to door campajgning . against buying garments from Bangladesh on account of child labour(Weekly Sonar BangIa: May 26, 1995).
After the passage of the Harkins Bill nearly 50 thousand child labours have been terminated from the garments factories and the remaining eight thousand would be sacked by October 31, 1995.Inspite of it the child Labour coalition continues to harp on its lethal propaganda with a. view to jeopardizing the interests of Bangladesh. Is it not a known fact that many countries including India employ child labour in variety of industrial sectors? But only Bangladesh has been singled out and targeted in a systematic manner. Investigations reveal that it is only India that is bound to destroy the garment industry of Bangladesh. Child Labour Federation was used by RAW in furthering its goal in a cleverly manipulated move. It ‘may be noted that according to reliable reports five crore child’ labours are presently employed in India’s carpet, shoe, garment and other sundry industries(Daily Star: May 31,1995).
But the Harkins Bill or the Child Labour Federation seem to have no concern about it or rather they purposely over look it. o.n account of adverse publicity against Bangladesh orchestrated by RAW Bangladesh have been identified as a guilty country.Due to some mysterious reasons no effective step is being initiated to counter the mischievous activities of RAW in Bangladesh. It is the responsibility of the bureaucrats and the policy makers to explain to the world about the emploYment of child labour in different fields. It should be explained very clearly and. explicitly that by employing these unfortunate child labours it has been possible to save them from certain death by starvation, it has been possible to make them self dependent and lead a respectable life. This aspect should be strongly and vigorously projected in the outside world. The western countries should understand that stitching buttons by child labour is not a difficult and inhuman job. This point must be stressed and highlighted to the people of the western countries particularly in the USA.
It is suspected that the concerned officials being influenced by RAW mysteriously are not taking any effective steps against RAW and its agents. It now seems that our embassies in the western countries including the USA, our Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Ministry of Commerce, the Government publicity media or most of the political parties appear to be unconcerned about this important national issue. They did not make even a normal protest. In the face of conspiracy and strong lobbying by RAW everyone seems to be indifferent to this vital national issue and thus RAW has succeeded in proving the fact that the complaints made against Bangladesh have good foundation and Bangladesh has no ground to counter it.
It is apprehended that agents of RAW have spread their network in the country in such a manner that they are present in all the relevant Ministries and officies so that no initiative can ever be taken by the government to counter the activities of RAW. The Daily newspaper ‘Al Mujadded’ in its issue of May 27, 95 alleged inaction by the Embassy of Bangladesh in USA. The paper wrote that the Indian garment industry lobby was destroying the garment industry of Bangladesh and they have spread their tentacles in all the sectors of industry so ‘that it does not get any market abroad. The paper in its report said, ‘The owners of the garment industry of Bangladesh have not as yet received any information regarding the activities of RAW in the USA in complicity with US officials and the garments industry owners of Bangladesh are very indignant about it’. The paper further says that it is the duty of the Embassy to keep the owners of the garment industry informed about the propaganda that is being carried out in USA against this industry.
It would facilitate both the Government and the industry concerned to take effective measures against the propaganda of RAW. But’ the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington has failed to take any such initiative. It was further alleged in the report that on account of inactivity or lack of initiative by the concerned officials of the Bangladesh Embassy in the USA the Indian garments industry lobby was out to destroy the market of Bangladesh in USA. So naturally the question arises whose interest is being looked after by our Embassy and other concerned agencies and officials and to whom are they really accountable?The Weekly ‘Sonar BangIa’ in its issue of May 26, 1995 has expressed similar sentiments. The paper says that an international agency. is engaged in making anti-Bangladesh campaign in the USA to ruin the garments market of Bangladesh in the USA and the strangest part of the whole affair is that despite an these uproars Government is conspicuously maintaining silence. It seems that it is not" a matter of concern for either our Embassy in the USA or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Ministries of Industry and Commerce.
Earlier when the US Senator Tom Harkins presented the Bill in the US Senate regarding imposing ban on garments ‘produced by child labour to the USA, the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington and other concerned ministries and officers had played similar roles. the Daily Inqilab, in its issue. of 26 January 95 wrote, , Senator Harkins infonned that he wanted to discuss the subject of employment of child labour in the garment industry of Bangladesh so that necessary steps can be taken in this regard. He said that the government of India, through a Minister, had discussed the subject with him. But no initiative had yet been taken by Bangladesh side. Mr.Harkins wanted to know why the Government of Bangladesh was so slow in taking any initiative in this regard.
The Daily Inqilab further reported that Bangladesh Embassy in Washington did not contact the Senator in this respect. If any such initiative was taken by Bangladesh Embassy in the USA the scheme of RAW to deprive Bangladesh of the Western markets particularly the USA could have been curbed. ‘l’he concerned Bangladesh officials by showing such apathy, have upheld the-interests of India rather than Bangladesh. One really ponders so as to at whose behest this inactivity, apathy conspiracy is going on and why the agents of RAW are carrying out their nefarious activities unhindered.
CHAPTER-16
FISHERIES
The fish wealth of Bangladesh can be divided into two broad categories, sweet water fish of the inland waters and the salty water fish of the sea. Owing to its climatic conditions, favourable soil and waters which include rivers,canals, ponds, vast sea and long coast, Bangladesh has an ideal environment for the growth of both types of fisheries.Experts believe that if potential of fish industry is fully exploited, it can hecome the largest foreign exchange earning sector in the country even surpassing garment industry. However, due to Indian machinations, fisheries have not achieved desired development and growth in Bangladesh.
By constructing Farakka Barrage and 40 other small and large dams on common rivers, India has already put an end to the sweet water fish industry of Bangladesh. Now RAW is pursuing its objective of destroying the sea fish wealth of Bangladesh. Fish and Rice which were once synonymous with Bangladesh are now a story of the past.The damage done to fisheries of Bangladesh can be gauged from the fact that thousands of tons of fish is now being smuggled in from India into the country which once used to export fish itself.
According to a survey carried out by the Zoological Department of Dhaka University, the economic zone of the country in the Bay of Bengal comes to 1lakh 64 thousand square kilometres. 475 varieties of fish and 24 varieties of shrimp are found in the said zone. The survey states that upto 40 meters depth of the coastal region the stock of floating fish is 2 lakh tons, in the 200 meters depth zone there are stock of 20 lakh tons of 42 varieties of general fish and another 20 lakh tons in the inner depth of sea(Daily AI Mujadded : May 31, 1995).
The fish resources in the sea belt of Bangladesh include Tuna, Salmon, Mackerel, Johnkis, Sword, Shrimp, Lobster, Roopchanda, Roopan, Hilsha, Laittya and many others totalling 475 varieties. A cautious estimate indicates that Bangladesh can easily export annually upto 4 lakh tons of sea fish(Professor Abul Kalam Azad: Bangladesh Amar Bangladesh: Page 61).The fish wealth of sea is a gift of Allah to Bangladesh. Its collection is not expensive as the only expenditure incurred is on sailing and netting. Fish has been the second largest export item after ready made garments. Similarly shrimp cultivation is one of the best sources of income for Bangladesh. The price or shrimp in intertlational market varies from 366 taka to 736 taka per kg. Bangladesh has very successfully developed its coastal region for shrimp cultivation. The demand for frozen fish products particularly Shrimps was fast increasing in international market. In the year 1972-73 the earning from exporting frozen fish products was 2.38 crore which rose in 1994-95 to 1100 crore taka(Daily AI Mujadded : May 27, 1995).
According to a sub-editorial of the Daily Ittefaq, printed on June 3, 1995, if concerted efforts are made to develop fisheries, . Bangladesh will be able to produce lobsters alone worth 24 thousand crore taka annually. India sees Bangladesh as her sole competitor in export of frozen fish products in the world market. The three fold increase in Bangladesh’s shrimp production made India envious to such an extent that RAW was directred to develop ways and means to destroy the pisciculture of Bangladesh particularly the shrimp cultivation.
Indians have, been indulging in our fish stock ever since the independence of Bangladesh. They encourage and help Indian fishermen to net fish stealthily in the sea of Bangladesh. Indian sea food exports have increased manifold as a result of the said piracy. Later the Indians have started using force to catch fish and shrimp from Bangladesh’s water areas. The Khulna Bureau of the Daily Al Mujadded reported that during the tidal uproar and flood of May 15-17, 1995, ninety percent of the Shrimp hatcheries of the South coastal region of Bangladesh were washed away. When Banglade"Shi fishermen were recovering the same in their own area, large number of Indian fishermen also arrived with about 50 to 100 trawler boats. They chased the Bangladeshi fishermen out from their own sea and looted the shrimps. The Indians entered Bangladesh territory through Pasur, Hariabangha,Raimangal and south Talpatty Island. Indian pirates not only looted the fish wealth but also took away the fishing nets and other fishing equipment of the poor Bangladeshi fishermen (Daily Al Mujadded : May 21, 1995).The Bangladeshi fishermen could not face the Indian buccaneers because it is learnt that Indian Navy generally backs such operations(Daily Janakantha : December 20, 1994).
The looting of fish from the waters of Bangladesh by Indians has now become a common complaint. A UNDP report revealed that an approximate of 40 crore taka worth fish are being annually looted by foreign trawlers from Bangladesh water areas.3 In the month of February 1995, Bangladesh Navy seized 3 Indian trawlers with 33 persons and five Indian trawlers with 54 persons on 10 and 13 February respectively. The names of the five Indian trawlers were FB Mother Ganggar Dhan, FB Mother Monosa, FB Mother Kamala, FB Mother Saroda and FB Mother Katwani(Daily Al Mujadded : February 14, 1995).
The Daily Inqilab’s reporter from Bagerhat reported that in last week of September 1994 and in the first half of October 1994, Bangladesh Navy captured 17 Indian fishing trawlers with 223 fishermen. Another report states that during the period from 1991 to May 1995 a total of 52 foreign fishing trawlers were seized. Out of these 43 were Inidians. Needless to mention that due to the paucity of Naval vessels with Bangladesh it is not possible for the authorities to seize all foreign vessels entering Bangladeshi sea. Besides, many a seizures did not even reach the news room.
The large scale theft of Bangladesh’s fish wealth is yet not enough for RAW’s satisfaction. They want to completely destroy the fish resources of Bangladesh. For the purpose a very mean strategy has been adopted recently. RAW had got dumped some eight thousand six hundred bags of garlic into the area close to fish hatcheries within Bangladesh waters. These garlic bags were imported through J. R. Trading on a Chinese vessel’Yangmin’ and were dumped into the waters of Bangladesh on the plea of becoming unfit for human consumption. The import of garlic worth taka 1 crore 12 thousand under the cover of a non-governmental Bangladeshi firm and then throwing it away in nylon bags in a planned manner smells of foul play. RAW’s aim was to drive the fish away from Bangladesh waters owing to the foul smell of rotten garlic. Indeed this is a unique example of an intelligence agency damaging economic interests of target country by destroying its pisciculture. It is a clear proof of RAW’s vicious designs against Bangladesh.
As a result of this unprecedented action the Bangladesh sea-coast was totally denuded of its fish wealth. A daily newspaper reported that on February 6, 1995 a group of experts on pisiculture on their vessel ‘Anusandhani’ went out in the sea to obtain mother shrimps for the ‘Niribili hatchery’ at Cox’s Bazar. After a trawling of consecutive six days upto 60 nautical miles, only 17 mother Shrimps were captured. The pisiculturists informed that on account of the bad smell of innumerable floating bags of rotten garlic, the environment of the sea coast was adversely affected which drove the fish away. It is reared that. this would have far reaching effects on country’s fishing industry(Daily Al Mujadded : February 26, 1995).
At the time of independence, Bangladesh had no vessels of its own. She (Bangladessh) hired a vessel from India to export its frozen sea foods. The said vessel on its way’was anchored at Madras and small iron spikes were injected into the body of shrimps. This was done with the intention to earn bad name for Bangladesh. Yet another conspiracy of RAW to diminish our shrimp industry was to create misunderstandings amongst the hatchery owners and rice cultivators of Khlilna region. RAW succeeded in this venture resulting in armed clashes between the two. In the latest conspiracy RAW tnrough its agents has started abducting fishermen of Bangladesh fishing in high seas demanding ransom and killing the poor fishermen if ransom is not paid. Daily Al Mujadded reports that during May 1995 at least 24 cases of dacoity were committed by Indian pirates in the coastal belt of the Bay of Bengal.
Eight fishermen simply disappeared after being taken away by the Indian dacoits and 30 fishermen were seriously injured(Daily AI Mujadded, June 5, 1995).To curb this piracy Government had decided to raise a Coast Guard Regiment. But the plan seems to have been put in cold storage. In’ this regard Daily Al Mujadded reported, in 1993 the standing committee of The Jatiya Sangsad (National Assembly) on Home Mfairs decided to raise a Coast Guard Regiment. In 1994 a draft policy was adopted under the caption ‘Coastal Guard Act ’94. The training and expenses were all worked out, but no further steps have been taken till date. Reasons for the delay are not known. Uncertainty still prevails regarding fate of proposed Coast Guard Regiment(Daily Al Mujadded : February 14, 1995).
Knowledgeable circles informed that RAW has managed to delay the project through its agents in Bangladesh’s higher echelons. This is yet another example of national interests being sacrificed to please Indian masters.Indian Border ‘Security Force has also been attacking Bangladeshi fishermen while fishing in frontier rivers. The Daily Bangladesh Observer reported on 13 August, 1995,Two Bangladeshi fishermen were. shot and killed by Indian Border Security Force while fishing in a frontier river in Satkhira District. The BSF men left the area when BDR patrols appeared there’. The aim of such attacks is to deter Bangladeshi fishermen from fishing in common frontier rivers thus denying them their legitimate share of the fish in these rivers.
Throwing of rotten garlic in the coastal region, vicious looting of fish wealth of Bangladesh, harassment, kidnapping for ransom and killing of poor fishermen are all part of RAW’s scheme to hamper growth of fisheries in Bangladesh. RAW is ruthlessly pursuing its agenda of creating hurdles and impeding progress of Bangladesh’s economy. The reason is understandable. However, the irony is that appropriate counter measures have not been taken by those who are responsible for the same.
CHAPTER–17
BTV AND RADIO BANGLADESH
Television and Radio are the best mass media for entertainment and creating public awareness. In Bangladesh both are state owned organisations and are run by public money. In’1989 a daily news paper reported that in BTV alone there were 431 dramatists and writers, 1171 drama artists, 181 dance artists, 35 dance directors, 431 instrumentalists, 1202 vocalists, 198 music directors and tuners(Daily Sangarm : June 19, 1989).In 1988 a sum of one crore 46 lakh taka was spent as honorarium for the artists alone in BTV. As majority of the people of Bangladesh are poor and illiterate who can neither afford to buy books nor can they read, therefore the influence of radio and television on the people is more pronounced and far reaching.
These two organisations can playa vital role in infusing and nurturing religious feelings and projecting national culture and tradition, But unfortunately both of these organisations are under tremendous influence of RAW and hence failed to fufil national aspirations. In the truest sense of the term BTV and Radio Bangladesh are not playing desired role for proje.cting and developing the national identity and building national character. RAW influenced people have saddled themselves so deep in these organisations that our national identity can’t find projection either on TV or Radio. .
It has been learnt from different sources that in every branch of BTV there are well placed pro-In.dian elements. According to reports the number of RAW influenced officers and staff in the organisation is such that for the coming ten years even if BTV stops recruiting RAW influenced people, still it would not be free of its spell. There is no section in BTV which is free from RAW agents including the News Section. Ninety percent of the officers of BTV have close links with RAW. These officers receive regular monthly allowance from RAW (Weekly Sainik : July 17, 1991).
There are 27 codes of ethics for broadcasting and telecasting programmes over radio and television. These include propagation of Bangladeshi nationalism, projection of state policies, traditional Muslim values, development of morality, curbing corruption and anti-social activities,encouraging birth control, promoting national culture and traditions, spreading education and general awareness etc. Besides, BTV has its ‘own censor code which states that no fIlm be shown that projects moral degradation, crime or sin. Nudity to include nude shadow image, undressing,symbolic dances, sex, rape and objectionable bed scenes are to be strictly avoided(Daily Sangram : June 19, 1989) .Unfortunatly BTV has utterly failed in following the stipulated code of eithics and ‘censor. The entire managment, planning, presentation :1 nd production staff is under RAW’s influence. Instead of projecting Islamic values they are promoting Indian culture. So much so that even the main pillar of state policy i.e., faith in Allah and Islam is not reflected in BTV’s most programmes.
In fact, BTV programmes do not appear to be work of a TV station belonging to the second largest Muslim state. The dialogues, statements, comments, scenarios and dresses are mostly repugnant to the main principles of Islam. In most of the dramas, on the plea of necessity of the story,the traditional Muslim culture, norms and social values of Bangladesh are ignored. When any anti-social character is depicted, he is generally shown with a beard and a cap on his head. At times evil characters are shown as Haji,Maulvi, Pir etc. (i.e., personalities respected in Islam). The religion is ridiculed and projected in poor light(Daily Sangram : June 18, 1989).
In different BTV programmes including dramas, the Calcutta culture dominates in matters of dress and language, thus shadowing national culture and Muslim identity of Bangladesh. To prevent national integration,plays about Razakars and Albadars of 1971 are repeatedly telecast. Speical programmes and plays are presented to spread disunity and disaffection amongst different classes of people particularly with reference to liberation war of 1971. BTV is also promoting a pseudo to liberal culture. In most of the plays it is shown that young boys and girls rise in revolt against their parents. Wives revolt against their husbands. The main purpose of depicting such acts is to destory our traditional social values and family ties. In many plays explicit love scenes are shown disregarding our social values. The depiciton of smugglers, extortionists, professional murderers, mastans and drug addicts is done in a manner that such characters are glorified on screen. BTV plays-Sangsapatk, Shooktara, Purbodin Purboratri, Ayomoy, Jonaki Jaley, Roopnagar, Tathapi, Phiriye Dao Aronnya, Kothao Keu Nei etc. are examples of disregard of Islamic and national values.
BTV has proved its loyalty to RAW by over projecting Rabindranath Tagore in most of its dramas. There is hardly any play where Tagore is not shown, or his songs are not sung or his poems are not read.