Feature

A nonagenarian political dream

Dr Binoy Barman

We have learnt from media coverage that at the age of 97 Biplobi Binod Bihari Chowdhury has shown interest in taking part in the parliamentary elections. It is not mere rambling; he seems to be clear in thought and determined in doing so. As he has made it clear, he would pursue politics anew with a view to serving people, and not to serve self-interest as the politicians of the day usually do. I salute him for his benign political will and wish all success in his mission.

I often wonder where Chowdhury gets such indomitable spirit to work for humanity in his age when most people would prepare for the final rest. As a matter of fact, almost all his comrades of anti-British movement have turned into eternity and if any of them is still living might be counting his days. It is really surprising how he can be physically and mentally sound when nearing century to actively take part in politics, a tough job indeed. I am not aware of anybody of his age who is active in politics anywhere in the world. He has survived many tortures and perils in life and still he has the strength to continue a life of activity. He seems to be blessed with a miracle of mettle which drives him through hurdles of time to make him a champion of noble life. He dreams of remaining active in humanitarian service until the last breath of his life.

Chowdhury witnessed death from so near so many times that he has been such a fearless soul now oblivious of death. He was an offspring of the fiery time in history when people here were struggling for emancipation from the clutches of British rule. He joined the group of Masterda Surja Sen and became close associates of other revolutionaries like Tarokeshwar Dastidar, Madhusudan Dutta, Ramkrishna Biswas and Pritilata Waddedar. He was one of them who launched offensive on the Chittagong British armoury in 1930 and European Club in 1932. He raided a train in Comilla to kill an English officer when two of his comrades were shot down by the police. He escaped then but he was seriously injured in the battle of Jalalabad. He was arrested by the British forces in 1933 and thrown behind bars. He was released in 1938 but recaptured in 1941. During Pakistani rule he was kept in prison from 1965 to 1966.

In 1939 Chowdhury joined the Indian Congress and served the party as the General Director of Chittagong District Committee. After India/Pakistan partition in 1947, he together with other leaders founded the National Pakistani Congress. He was elected as a candidate of Congress for the West Pakistan Law Commission in 1948. He took part in language movement of 1952 and mass upsurge of 1969 and played important role in liberation war. After the independence of Bangladesh he took himself away from politics and devoted to social welfare activities. Dwelling in Chittagong, he is still involved with various socio-cultural organisations.

Chowdhury might be aware that politics and political situation have changed so much in this part of the globe over the decades. Now very few people come to politics with a mission of public welfare unlike those days of his youth. To all intents and purposes, politics in today's Bangladesh is different from that of Pakistani and British era. Foreign domination has departed, only making way for self-deprivation. Corruption and nepotism have taken the place of honesty and idealism. International political picture has also drastically changed, especially with gradual weakening of the communist regimes and constant rise of religious terrorism. We hope he is aware of these changes and can still cope up with the new challenges of politics in the twenty first century. Unfortunately, it is not the time for good people but for rogues and thugs; yet he has aired resolution to go ahead. Can he fulfil the unfulfilled dream of establishing exploitation-free society, in any capacity and scope? Only time can say.

A valiant son of the soil, Binod Bihari Chowdhury was awarded Swadhinata Padak, besides many other honours in his illustrious life, for valuable service to the nation. He is a politician, lawyer, teacher and social worker. Above all, he is a 'Biplobi', which means his spirit will revolt against any misdeed and injustice towards emancipation of humanity. That is why he still young at 97, still uncompromising in political ideology, enshrined in the Gandhi philosophy of egalitarianism.