Emran Emon

Poets, writers, intellectuals, in one word, creative people have to have a backbone and maintain their character. Such scenes are no longer seen in contemporary Bangladesh. The recent incident of not giving a chair to prominent intellectual Professor Dr. Salimullah Khan during the Bangla Academy Award-2024 ceremony and his shameful appearance on stage, has sparked criticism.

In this country, there is no tradition of honoring scholars and intellectuals. However, Salimulllah Khan could have set an example by immediately reacting to this humiliating incident, which could have been a 'model' for the future. If he had walked out of the event or boycotted such an award, it would have taught the authority a lesson—perhaps they would have refrained from such shameful acts in the future.

But Salimulllah Khan didn't do that—the was also surrounded by the infatuation of a 'mere' award. As a result, his personality had to be sacrificed, and his spinelessness was revealed. For someone like Salimulllah Khan, receiving or not receiving such an award, or discarding it, doesn’t matter—as he is resplendent in his own glory. But greed has tarnished his essence!

Notwithstanding, Ahmed Sofa, whom he considered as his "guru", whom he described as the "Rabindranath of the Poor" (Gariber Rabindranath)," was a writer and intellectual with a profound personality who maintained his backbone. Ahmed Sofa did not compromise with the power of any government at that time. Rather, he maintained his character and demonstrated courage in the way of his writing and speaking.

After reading Ahmed Sofa's book "Anupurbik Taslima Ebong Onnanno Sparshokator Proshongo", the then Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia learned about Sofa and invited him to her residence by phone. Ahmed Sofa accepted the invitation but attached a tough condition. He told Begum Zia, "I can go on one condition: you have to cook for me with your own hands." However, Sofa did not go at that time.

There was another phone conversation between Khaleda Zia and Ahmed Sofa. This time, it was about the registration of the ‘Bangla-German Cooperation’ from the NGO Bureau. Ahmed Sofa called the Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, but her Personal Secretary (PS) answered the phone. Sofa immediately said, "I am Ahmed Sofa. Please, give the phone to your madam."

The PS asked, ‘Which Ahmed Sofa?’

Safa replied angrily, ‘Are you kidding me, man (Moja nesh beta)? Are there two Ahmed Sofa in Bangladesh? Ask your madam who Ahmed Sofa is?’ Saying this, Ahmed Sofa hung up the phone.

A little later, when the PS informed Begum Khaleda Zia about the matter, she immediately called Ahmed Sofa, expressed her regret and invited him to her residence. Ahmed Sofa rejected the invitation and replied, "Madam, what kind of uneducated PS-TS do you keep, they don't know the name of Ahmed Sofa. Ahmed Sofa won't go to a house where a group of stupid cowherds and cows live."

Khaleda Zia also replied, "I myself am uneducated, where can I find someone educated? You too don't come forward." Ahmed Sofa, impressed by Begum Zia's behavior, kept saying, "I cannot help but admire the lady, she is remarkably humble."

How a writer should be, how to maintain a backbone, the incident of Ahmed Sofa with the then Prime Minister of the country sets an example, which is a constant inspiration for future generations of writers to follow and emulate. However, Salimullah Khan, who claimed Ahmed Sofa as his 'guru', could not maintain it, he mostly made Sofa a tool for his own prosperity, he could not capture Sofa's spirit. Ahmed Sofa, who used to shout 'My Bangladesh, My Bangladesh' while walking late at night, excited with emotion, raising both hands.

The lack of impartial intellectuals like Ahmed Sofa is the reason for our current pitiable condition. Our intellectuals have now forgotten what their responsibilities are and what their roles for the country should be. A country can never progress towards prosperity without intellectuals.

The writer is a researcher, journalist and columnist