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Shahriar Kabir

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Shahriar Kabir
শাহরিয়ার কবির
Kabir in 2011
Born (1950-11-20) 20 November 1950 (age 73)
Feni, East Bengal, Dominion of Pakistan
NationalityBangladeshi
Alma mater
Occupation(s)Journalist, filmmaker, activist, author

Shahriyar Kabir (Bengali: শাহরিয়ার কবির; born 20 November 1950) is a Bangladeshi journalist, filmmaker, human rights activist,[1] and author of more than 70 books focusing on human rights, communism, fundamentalism, history, and the Bangladesh war of independence.[2] He was awarded Bangla Academy Literary Award in 1995.[3]

Early life and education

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Kabir was born in Feni district, Chittagong Division, East Pakistan and now in Bangladesh on 20 November 1950. He attended St Gregory's School. He passed his higher secondary exam from Jagannath College. He was a student of the Department of Bengali at the University of Dhaka. Shariar Kabir was one of the prominent activists of Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra in Kolkata during Liberation War. He helped to write inspiring script & poems for freedom fighter during the war which were played in Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra. Then he was a student of Bengali Department of the University of Dhaka.[4] He started his writings for teenagers and juveniles when he was a university student. After the war, he joined as a journalist in the Daily Bangla and also in the Weekly Bichitra.[5] He was one of the main editors of Weekly Bichitra, which played a vital role for the punishment of liberation war criminals. From 1976 to 1980 he became the general secretary of the organization Bangladesh Lekhak Shibir.[6]

Career

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In January 1992, Ekattorer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee (Committee for Resisting Killers and Collaborators of Bangladesh Liberation War of 71) was formed by 101 people. This committee called for the trial of people who committed crimes against humanity in the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War in collaboration with the Pakistan Army. The Ghatak-Dalal Nirmul Committee set up mock trials in Dhaka in March 1992 known as Gono Adalot (Court of the people) and 'sentenced' persons they accused of being war criminals.[5] Jahanara Imam and 24 others were charged with treason.[7][8] This charge was, however, dropped in 1996 after her death by the Chief advisor Mohammed Habibur Rahman of the Caretaker government of that time.[9]

Kabir played a major role in formation of Nirmul Committee.[citation needed] The people's court set up by the Ekattorer Ghatak-Dalal Nirmul Committee led by Jahanara Imam was deemed unlawful by the Government of Bangladesh.[10] After the death of Jahanara Imam, he became the acting president of Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee.[citation needed]

Kabir has been active for years as a journalist writing about human rights in Bangladesh. He was arrested twice in the early 2000s for what the government considered illegal attacks.[11] He was first arrested in November 2001, after the government of Khaleda Zia of the Bangladesh National Party had come to power. The government charged him with sedition and "tarnishing the image of the government" because he was investigating attacks on the Hindu minority from October to December 2001 and accused minister of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami of taking part in war crimes during Bangladesh Liberation War.[12][13] Many Hindus had been intimidated and attacked by party workers during that period in an effort to keep them away from the polls,[12] as they generally did not vote for the Islamist parties. Kabir was documenting accounts by the survivors.[14] He was then released on bail in January 2002.[12][15] In February 2002, a bomb was thrown at a reception for him in Chittagong Press Club, killing one bystander.[16]

Kabir was arrested again in December 2002. As the head of the Nirmul Committee, which he founded in 1992 to work for prosecution of those responsible for genocide and other war crimes during the Bangladesh War of Independence in 1971, Kabir has continued to take an active role.[12] Observers said that the BNP was threatened as its principal political partner, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has leaders who have been alleged to have participated as in paramilitary forces against liberation in 1971, which the party opposed.[12] When the High Court ruled on 4 January 2003 that Kabir's detention without charges was illegal,[13] the government held him for an additional 90 days under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act.[12]

Kabir alleged that Ghulam Azam, a former leader of Jamaat e Islami at the time of the liberation war, had played an important role in the mass killings of the 1971 conflict, as had Jamaat as a group. He has also said that the Razakars were founded by the Jamaat e Islami leader, Maulana A.K.M. Yusuf.[17] Kabir has supported efforts by the Awami League-led government, which won a two-thirds majority in the Parliament in December 2008, to establish an International Crimes Tribunal in 2009 to prosecute war crimes. The first trials were completed in early 2013, with three men convicted who have been prominent in Jamaat since the liberation war, which the party opposed. Afterwards he called for a ban on the Jamaat-e-Islami party.[18] Ghulam Azam was also convicted by the International Crimes Tribunal.[19] He received criticism for endorsing anti-Islamic activities referenced in Shah Ahmad Shafi's open letter named An Open Letter from Shah Ahmad Shafi to the Government and the Public related to the Shahbag protests in 2013.[20]

Kabir is author for children and young adult's adventure book genre. He wrote books including Nuliachorir Shonar Pahar, Abuder Adventure, Carpathian er Kalo Golap etc.[21]

On 17 September 2024, Kabir was arrested in Dhaka by the Detective Branch of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police on a case over allegations of crimes against humanity and mass killing. He was also accused in a murder case filed over the death of Imran Hossain, a student, at Kutubkhali, Jatrabari.[22]

Works

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Documentaries
  • "Juddhaporadh '71" (2008)[23]
  • Muktijudder Gaan(মুক্তিযুদ্ধের গান)[24]
  • Cry for justice[24]
Publications
  1. Puber Surjo (Juvenile novel), Calcutta 1972,
  2. Nuliachhoriyr Sonar Pahar (Juvenile novel), Dhaka 1976
  3. Hariye Jayor Thikana (Juvenine novel), Dhaka 1976
  4. Comrade Mao Tse-Tung (Biography), Dhaka 1977
  5. Abuder Adventure (collection of juvenile stories), Dhaka 1983
  6. Ekatturer Jishu (collection of short stories), Dhaka 1986,
  7. Oder Janiye Dao (novel), Dhaka 1986,
  8. Janaika Protaroker Kahini (collection of short stories), Dhaka 1987,
  9. Simante Sanghat (juvenile novel), Dhaka 1988,
  10. Enver Hoxhar Smriti (Reminiscence of Enver Hoxa of Albania), Dhaka 1988,
  11. Hanabareer Rohos (Juvenile novel), Dhaka 1989,
  12. Nicolas Rozarior Chhelera (Juvenile novel), Dhaka 1989,
  13. Michhiler akjon (collection of short stories), Dhaka 1989,
  14. Pathariar Khoni Rohoshyo (Juvenile novel), Dhaka 1989,
  15. Maolana Bhashani (Biography), Dhaka 1989,
  16. Mohabipad Sanket (collection of short stories), Dhaka 1990,
  17. From Balkan to Batlic (Travelogue), Dhaka 1990,
  18. Bangladeshe Samprodaikatar chalchitra (Non fiction), Dhaka 1993.
  19. Sadhu Gregorir Dinguli (autobiography), Dhaka 1994,
  20. Bangladeshe Moulobad-O-Sangkhaloghhu Samprodye (Essay), Dhaka 1995,
  21. Sheikh Mujib-O-Muktijudhher Chetona (Essay), Dhaka 1997,
  22. Shantir Pathye Ashanto Parbottyo Chattogram (Essay), Dhaka 1998,
  23. Kashmirer Akashey Moulobader Kalomegh (Essay), 1999,
  24. Muktijuddher Brittyobondi Itihash (Essay), Dhaka 2000,
  25. Ekattorer Gonohattya O Juddhaporddhider Bichar (Essay), Dhaka 2001,
  26. Dakshin Asiaye Moulobad (Essay), Dhaka 2001,
  27. Pakistan Theke phirey (Travelogue), Dhaka 2002,
  28. Bangladeshe Shamprodayik Nirjaton (Essay), Dhaka 2002,
  29. Bangladeshe Manobadhikar O Shamprodayekota (Essay) Dhaka-2003,
  30. Abaruddhyo Shawdesh Theke (Travelogue), Dhaka 2003,
  31. My Sojourn in Pakistan (Travelogue) Dhaka-2003.[25][26]

Edited books

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  1. Genocide 71 (Ed. jointly with Prof. Ahmed Sharif & Prof. Serajul Islam Chowdhury), Dhaka 1989,
  2. Bangladesh Genocide After Twenty Years (Ed. jointly with Frank Kerrigon), New York, 1994,
  3. Resist Fundamentalism : Focus on Bangladesh, Dhaka, 1995,
  4. White Paper : Repression on Religious Minority, Dhaka, 1996.
  5. Tormenting Seventy One Dhaka, 1999.

Allegations

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Shahrier Kabir, the prominent Bangladeshi activist and writer, has been a subject of controversy due to various perspectives on his actions and beliefs. According to claims made by Kader Siddiqi, a notable freedom fighter and politician, Shahrier Kabir was reputed to have supplied chicken to the Pakistani army during certain historical events, earning him the nickname "Murgi" or "Chicken Kabir" or "Murgi Kabir". Additionally, Kabir is a controversial figure known for his strong anti-Islamist stance. His account of the War of Liberation has been criticized by some as fabricated, with allegations that he uses this narrative to gain favor with the autocratic Hasina regime. These controversies have contributed to varying interpretations of Kabir's role and legacy within the context of Bangladesh's socio-political landscape.[27]

References

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  1. ^ "Court order on Bangladeshi Hindus". BBC News. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  2. ^ "Bangladesh Avijit Roy murder: Suspect arrested". BBC News. 2 March 2015. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  3. ^ পুরস্কারপ্রাপ্তদের তালিকা [Winners list] (in Bengali). Bangla Academy. Retrieved 23 August 2017.
  4. ^ "Shahriar Kabir in prison". Bangladesh IISH. 1 January 2002. Retrieved 20 November 2012.
  5. ^ a b "Gano Adalot". The Daily Star. 23 January 2016. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  6. ^ "Bangladesh Lekhak Shibir". Banglapedia. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  7. ^ "11th death anniversary of 'Shaheed Janani' Jahanara Imam Sunday". bdnews24.com. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  8. ^ "NU gets Jahanara Imam Memorial Award". The Daily Observer. Dhaka. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  9. ^ "শাহরিয়ার কবির ও মুনতাসির মামুনের তওবা করা উচিত-প্রবাসী ইমাম সমিতির বিবৃতি". Daily Inqilab (in Bengali). 5 April 2017. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  10. ^ Murshid, Tazeen M. (2001). "State, Nation, Identity: The Quest for Legitimacy in Bangladesh". In Shastri, Amita; Jeyaratnam Wilson, A. (eds.). The Post-Colonial States of South Asia: Political and Constitutional Problems. Curzon Press. p. 170. ISBN 978-1-136-11866-1.
  11. ^ "Humanist Shahriar Kabir Arrested Again". International Humanist and Ethical Union. December 2002.
  12. ^ a b c d e f Admin, "Humanists Must be Released!", International Humanist and Ethical Union, 5 January 2003. Retrieved 8 March 2013
  13. ^ a b "Bangladesh scribe arrest 'illegal'". BBC News. 12 January 2002. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  14. ^ "Questions over Bangladesh detention". BBC News. December 2001. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  15. ^ "Bangladesh court releases journalist". BBC News. 19 January 2002. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  16. ^ "Bomb explodes at Bangladeshi reception". BBC News. 5 February 2002. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  17. ^ Hiranmay Karlekar (13 December 2005). Bangladesh: The Next Afghanistan?. Sage. p. 150. ISBN 978-0761934011.
  18. ^ "Bangladesh journalist urges government to ban Jamaat-e-Islami". The Indian Express. 23 April 2013. Retrieved 23 April 2013.
  19. ^ "Bangladesh Islamist leader Ghulam Azam dies aged 91". BBC News. 23 October 2014. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  20. ^ White Paper: 2000 Days of Fundamentalist and Communal Violence in Bangladesh (in Bengali). Mohakhali, Dhaka-1212: Public Commission to Investigate Fundamentalist and Communal Terrorism. 2022. p. 52.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  21. ^ "Nuliachorir Shonar Pahar : নুলিয়াছড়ির সোনার পাথর: Boi-Mela". boi-mela.com. Retrieved 12 December 2018.
  22. ^ "Shahriar Kabir arrested in Dhaka". Dhaka Tribune. 17 September 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  23. ^ "Juddhaporadh 71: Documentary highlighting war crimes". The Daily Star. 25 September 2008. Retrieved 25 September 2008.
  24. ^ a b Daily prothom alo>www.prothom-alo.com
  25. ^ Daily Prothom alo, www.prothom-alo.com
  26. ^ Kabir, Shahriar,Sadhu Gragrir Dinguli (2010), Dhaka, Bangladesh, cover page=2, ISBN 978-984-598-000-5
  27. ^ শাহরিয়ার কবির ও মুনতাসির মামুনের তওবা করা উচিত-প্রবাসী ইমাম সমিতির বিবৃতি. Daily Inqilab. 5 April 2017.
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