Difference between revisions of "Hossain Mohammad Ershad" - New World Encyclopedia

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After the [[assassination of Ziaur Rahman]] on 30 May 30, 1981 Ershad supported [[Abdus Sattar]], the Vice-President who succeeded Zia as President and ordered the army to suppress the coup attempt of Zia's associates, allegedly led by Major General [[Abul Monjur]]. It is widely speculated that Monjur was used as a scapegoat and that Ershad himself was behind the liquidation of President Zia. Ershad however maintained loyalty to the new president [[Abdus Sattar]], who led the [[Bangladesh Nationalist Party]] to victory in elections in 1982. H M Ershad even allotted a house to Mrs. [[Khaleda Zia]] and her two sons when he took over as Chief Martial Law Administrator. Chowdhury speculates that Ershad wanted to assume power but decided to bide his time.  Zia was popular, having reintroduced multi-party democracy and although less charismatic Sattar was respected and even admired. Chowdhury says that Ershad instead began to demand an increased political role for the military.  He began to claim that the politicians were corrupt and were "ruing the country."<ref>Chowdhury, page 38.</ref>
 
After the [[assassination of Ziaur Rahman]] on 30 May 30, 1981 Ershad supported [[Abdus Sattar]], the Vice-President who succeeded Zia as President and ordered the army to suppress the coup attempt of Zia's associates, allegedly led by Major General [[Abul Monjur]]. It is widely speculated that Monjur was used as a scapegoat and that Ershad himself was behind the liquidation of President Zia. Ershad however maintained loyalty to the new president [[Abdus Sattar]], who led the [[Bangladesh Nationalist Party]] to victory in elections in 1982. H M Ershad even allotted a house to Mrs. [[Khaleda Zia]] and her two sons when he took over as Chief Martial Law Administrator. Chowdhury speculates that Ershad wanted to assume power but decided to bide his time.  Zia was popular, having reintroduced multi-party democracy and although less charismatic Sattar was respected and even admired. Chowdhury says that Ershad instead began to demand an increased political role for the military.  He began to claim that the politicians were corrupt and were "ruing the country."<ref>Chowdhury, page 38.</ref>
  
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Under pressure from high-ranking army commanders for the military to take over the reins of state, Ershad toppled President Sattar in a bloodless coup on 24 March 24, 1982 and proclaimed himself Chief Martial Law Administrator (CMLA) with Justice A. F. M. Ahsanuddin Choudury as nominal President. Ershad took over as president on 11 December, 11 1983.
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Under pressure from high-ranking army commanders for the military to take over the reins of state, Ershad toppled President Sattar in a bloodless coup on 24 March 24, 1982 and proclaimed himself Chief Martial Law Administrator (CMLA) with Justice A. F. M. Ahsanuddin Choudury as nominal President. Ershad took over as president on 11 December, 11 1983. From the start, Ershad was regarded as a usurper. Opposition begam as early as December 1982, when Ershad announced his preference for [[Shari'ah]] law. On March 14, 1983 Khaleda Zia of the BNP and [[Sheikh Hasina]] of the Awami League were both arrested.  They were released on March 1. In March, 1985 Ershad held a referendum on his presidency, almiming a "positive vote of 94.15 percent."<ref>Baxter, page 112.</ref> Allegations of election fraud were rampant throughout Ershad's presidency.<Chowdhury, page 39.</ref> Two months later, in a largely uncontested election for local council chairs, Ershad's newly created atyo Party swept the board.  In January, 1986 he lifted restrictions on political parties and announced a parliamentary election.  This was held later that year but due to irregularities some constituencies repolling took place. The BNP boycotted but the Awami League contested seats and won 76.  Jatyo won 153. Smaller parties won 39 and independents won a total of 32.  The third largest party was the Jamaat-i-Islam with 10.  5 seats went to the [[communism|communists]]. Sheikh Hasina became official leader of the opposition but rarely attended parliament, which was by-passed by Ershad whenver possibe.  His system of governance relied on the secretaries of the various ministries with "little political consultation with the ministers."<ref>Baxter, page 113.</ref> Two measures that parliament did ratify were especially controversial. In August, 1986 Ershad resigned as Army Chief of Staff in order to stand for election as president.  This time, both the main oppossition parties boycotted the October 15 election, which Ershad easily won against two insignificant candidates.
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 +
Two controversial measures did gain parliamentary approval, however.  In July, 1987 an Act gave the military representation on local councils.
  
 
   
 
   

Revision as of 07:51, 17 December 2008

thumb|Hossain Mohammad Ershad.

Hussain Muhammad Ershad (Bengali: হুসেইন মুহাম্মাদ এরশাদ Husein Muhammad Ershad) born (February 1, 1930) is a Bangladeshi politician who previously served as Chief of Army Staff of Bangladesh Army and later as Chief Martial Law Administrator 1982 -1986. His rise to the Presidency was in the exact same manner of his predecessor Major General Ziaur Rahman; H M Ershad being elected President of Bangladesh 1986 - 1991.

He is a United Nations Laureate and twice won the parliamentary elections. Although commonly termed as an autocratic military dictator his popularity remained; even when he was in prison Ershad won the Parliamentary Elections from five different constituencies twice - in the elections of 1991 & 1996 . He never regained back any government post but never was off the spotlight in Bangladesh's Political Arena either. He is the Chairman of Jatiya Party which he founded in 1986. It is the third largest party in Bangladesh.

Early life and Military Career

Hussain Muhammad Ershad was born in Rangpur in 1930. He graduated from the University of Dhaka in 1950 and was commissioned into the Pakistan Army in 1952. Between 1960 and 1962, he was an adjutant in the East Bengal regimental depot in Chittagong. He also completed advanced courses from the Command and Staff College in Quetta in 1966. After a brief period serving with a brigade in Sialkot, he was given command of the 3rd East Bengal Regiment in 1969 and the 7th East Bengal Regiment in 1971. During the Bangladesh War of Independence, he was interned along with other Bengali officers stationed in West Pakistan at the outbreak of the 1971 Liberation War and repatriated to Bangladesh in 1973 in accordance with the Simla Agreement between India's Indira Gandhi and Pakistan's Zulfiquar Ali Bhutto. Cite error: Closing </ref> missing for <ref> tag

Under pressure from high-ranking army commanders for the military to take over the reins of state, Ershad toppled President Sattar in a bloodless coup on 24 March 24, 1982 and proclaimed himself Chief Martial Law Administrator (CMLA) with Justice A. F. M. Ahsanuddin Choudury as nominal President. Ershad took over as president on 11 December, 11 1983. From the start, Ershad was regarded as a usurper. Opposition begam as early as December 1982, when Ershad announced his preference for Shari'ah law. On March 14, 1983 Khaleda Zia of the BNP and Sheikh Hasina of the Awami League were both arrested. They were released on March 1. In March, 1985 Ershad held a referendum on his presidency, almiming a "positive vote of 94.15 percent."[1] Allegations of election fraud were rampant throughout Ershad's presidency.<Chowdhury, page 39.</ref> Two months later, in a largely uncontested election for local council chairs, Ershad's newly created atyo Party swept the board. In January, 1986 he lifted restrictions on political parties and announced a parliamentary election. This was held later that year but due to irregularities some constituencies repolling took place. The BNP boycotted but the Awami League contested seats and won 76. Jatyo won 153. Smaller parties won 39 and independents won a total of 32. The third largest party was the Jamaat-i-Islam with 10. 5 seats went to the communists. Sheikh Hasina became official leader of the opposition but rarely attended parliament, which was by-passed by Ershad whenver possibe. His system of governance relied on the secretaries of the various ministries with "little political consultation with the ministers."[2] Two measures that parliament did ratify were especially controversial. In August, 1986 Ershad resigned as Army Chief of Staff in order to stand for election as president. This time, both the main oppossition parties boycotted the October 15 election, which Ershad easily won against two insignificant candidates.

Two controversial measures did gain parliamentary approval, however. In July, 1987 an Act gave the military representation on local councils.


As president, Ershad included amendments into the constitution of Bangladesh which declared Islam the state religion, abandoning state secularism. This was mainly to strengthen Bangladesh's standing in the Muslim World, not in response to any popular expression of support for this constitutional change. To improve rural administration, Ershad introduced the a new system of local councils and held the elections for these village councils in 1985. In an election held in 1986, Ershad was nominated by the Jatiya party, which had been created by him and his supporters. One of the major political parties BNP founded by his predecessor Ziaur Rahman boycotted the elections as did the other major party Awami League. Ershad, however, was declared its winner. Accusations of election fraud were rampant.[3] According to ChoThe Jatiya Party also won an absolute majority in the Jatiyo Sangshad.In 1987 Bangladesh’s Land Ministry launched the Land Reforms Action Program, an initiative to distribute khas – unoccupied state-owned land – to landless families. A novel element of the land reform was the establishment by the Ministry of Land.

Ershad's regime is seen as the longest autocratic rule in Bangladesh. There was violence, Human rights abuse and corruption during his tenure.

Ershad also played a key role during the SAARC Summit , uniting all member states of South-East Asian States. Significant achievement was that be brought leaders of arch rivals - India & Pakistan, Rajiv Gandhi & Benazir Bhutto respectively, together in the same table.

United Nations Recognitions

He was awarded as United Nations Laureate twice during his presidency, from the United Nations. These are: -

1. UN Population Award in 10 June, 1987 [4]

2. UN Environment Award in 1988 [5]

Other Accomplishments

During Ershad's rule, the construction of the Jamuna Bridge connecting the country's north and south together, was started. The Jamuna Multipurpose Bridge Authority (JMBA) was set up by an ordinance promulgated by the President on July 3 1985 to implement the project. For mobilisation of domestic resources, another ordinance was promulgated by which a Jamuna Bridge surcharge and levy were introduced. A total of Tk 5.08 billion was mobilised in the process till its abolition. []Banglapedia - 9th Paragraph

H M Ershad stabilized the Bangladesh Armed Forces which was facing a series of Coups and counter Coups ever since its emergence as a nation in 1971. The South Asian Multidisciplinary Academic Journal documents the Bangladesh Army's history regarding this. The Bangladesh Armed Forces did not attempt any coups since Ershad's takeover in 1982 to 1996. The Awami League in alliance with Jatiya Party as its ally won the elections in 1996. [6]

During Ershad's tenure as President of Bangladesh elected in 1986, the Bangladesh Army started its participation in the United Nations Peacekeeping Operations in 1988 for the very first[7] time. [8] The particiaption of Bangladesh Armed Forces in UN Peacekeeping Operations initiated by Ershad turned out to be one of the highest source of foreign currency earners today[9].

The Downfall

A wide umbrella of political parties united against Ershad. Zia's widow Khaleda Zia now led the BNP, which allied itself with the Awami League, led by Mujib's daughter Sheikh Hasina; Awami League stopped its support to Ershad and resigned from the Parliament in 1987. The leftist parties and groups remained keen to keep other parties on the track towards the ousting of Ershad's regime. The Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh and other parties also joined the opposition ranks. The strikes and protests called by the opposition groups paralysed the state and its economy. Under pressure, Ershad dissolved the parliament on 7 December, 1987 but the fresh elections were again boycotted by the opposition. An intensifying opposition campaign launched by the students ultimately forced Ershad to step down on 06 Dec, 1990. The West, that backed him for almost a decade, no longer supported the Non-Socialist President after the fall of USSR

He handed over power to Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed to an acceptable neutral Caretaker Government; this was a move that was made for the very first time in the country's history and was not in the constitution at the time. However the neutrality is questionable as Shahabuddin immediately placed Ershad under arrest. The then Army Chief of Staff Lt General Nuruddin Khan unlike his predecessor Lt Gen Atiqur Rahman was not loyal having his own political ambition and agenda. This was seen in in 1996 when the newly elected Government of Awami League selected Shahabuddin as the Presidnet and Lt General Nuruddin Khan became the Energy Minister, only to be dismissed for grossly mismanaging the portfolio.

Although anti-Ershad sentiment was strong, H M Ershad contested the election from jail and still won all 5 different constituencies he contested from in 1991. The new government led by the BNP's Khaleda Zia instituted a number of corruption charges. Ershad was convicted of some of the charges while mostly were dismissed and thrown out of court.

In the 1996 elections, Ershad again won election the 5 from jail and aligned his party with the Awami League against the BNP. He was released from jail on 09 January, 1997 by the government of Sheikh Hasina but only after an unconditional support was provided to her by the former President.


Arrest, Charges & Conviction

Arrest Ruled Illegal by Supreme Court

On Sunday, 1 March 1998, the Supreme Court of Bangladesh ruled that President Hussain Muhammad Ershad's original arrest in 1990 by the Caretaker Government led by Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed was illegal. [10] Shahabuddin Ahmed who was selected President by Awami League in 1996 had stayed away from the media to comment on his illegal and unconstitutional action back in Dec 1990 as declared by the country's apex court. The ruling paved the way for the former President H M Ershad to sue for wrongful arrest if he chose to do so. However he was convicted on separate charges and given a prison term.


Charges & Convictions

H M Ershad has been convicteded and served time for only one case that has been upheld by the Supreme Court of the nation - Janata Tower Case. When his relations with the ruling Awami League subsequently deteriorated as the he joined hands with the other main opposition BNP of Khaleda Zia. This the only conviction that has been upheld by the country's Supreme Court, which did not have its full bench present [citation needed].

There are still a few other pending cases against him but most has been thrown out of the court or cleared him of any wrong doing. The most famous case [11] that the BNP Government at the time falsely implicated him by was a gold smuggling case. This was later thrown out by a Dhaka Court[12] [13] [14]

Personal Life

Hussain Mohammad Ershad is married to Raushan Ershad, and they adopted a son and a daughter. He also has a son from his second wife Bidisha Ershad.

H M Ershad has allegedly married three times [citation needed]. A woman named Mary Mumtaz filed for divorce from Ershad in USA. However as per USA constitution and provision for Immunity from Prosecution for Head of State of a Friendly Nation[15] the court ruled against Mumtaz [citation needed].

His eldest son Shad Ershad had his share of misfortune too, when he tried to help a mentally ill girl who ran away from home. The girl's father filed a missing peron's case, however the government pressured to pursue the case when it was discovered he was with the Former President's son to discredit him [16]

However he has been infamous for extra-marital affairs which were on cover of every newpaper in the country soon after his downfal which continued till 2006. His affair with Zeenat Mosharraf, a member of Parliament almost removed him from the Chairmanship [17].

His marraige with Bidisha ended in a bitter divorce and sedition charges brought by the BNP Government against Bidisha[18]. H M Ershad divorced her for allegedly hiding her first marraige which still was not annulled at the time of their marraige. [19]

His wife and former first lady of Bangladesh Mrs. Raushan Ershad always stayed by his side despite the infidelity [citation needed]. She was the acting Chairperson when Ershad was in prison, and now leads a rival faction of Jatiya Party. Raushan Ershad was also elected as a Member of Parliament thrice in the elctions of 1991, 1996 and 2001.

Later Political Career

Hussain Muhammad Ershad, is the only high profile politician to be convicted of corruption and serve a prison sentence. Legal complexities tend to prolong the investigation and settlement of the corruption cases against senior politicians in Bangladesh."We really don't know what will be the fate of these cases," lawyer Shahdeen Malik told the BBC.[20]

Ershad lost his membership in parliament owing to his conviction on charges of corruption when his relations with the ruling Awami League subsequently deteriorated. He switched his support to his one-time political adversary and main opposition leader, Khaleda Zia forming an anti-government coalition.[21] [22] and the court verdict followed.

Both Khaleda Zia of BNP and Sheikh Hasina of Awami League allied with him in time of their need to suit their purpose[23]. [24] '

On June 30, 2007 Ershad stepped down temporarily from the post of Party Chairman, indicating an end to his political career.[25] It is speculated that he stepped down under pressure as the Caretaker Government started a series of prosecution and arrest for corruption and criminal charges against political leaders of Awami League & BNP including Sheikh Hasina, Khaleda Zia and her son Tareq Rahman [26] among others [27] [28].

However on 08 April 2008 , Ershad took charge of his Jatiya Party once again [29] Back in 2006 he protested against the controverial Election Commissioner (CEC) MA Aziz Decesion. He later joined the street movement along with Awami Leage Ershad's JP Joins Street Movement Against CEC.

On 19 November 2008 Jatiya Party & Awami League agreed to contest the elctions jointly under the Caretaker Governemnt to be held on on 18 December 2008 Out of the 300 Constituencies in the Parliament, Ershad's Jatiya Party will contest from 50 seats and Awami League from the rest 250, subject to Election Commisioner's approval of nominated candidates.[30]

Former Hussain Muhammad Ershad is due to contest electons from his birth place greater Rangpur-3, Kurigram-2 & Dhaka-17 the capital's diplomatic zone, where he resides.

See also

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  1. ↑ Baxter, page 112.
  2. ↑ Baxter, page 113.
  3. ↑ Chowdhury, page 38.
  4. ↑ United Nations Laureates
  5. ↑ United Nations Laureates
  6. ↑ Codron, Jérémie (2007-10-18). Maturation & Distortion of the Bangladeshi Army. SAMAJ Putting Factions Back in the Civil Military Relations Equation Genesis: 55.
  7. ↑ Bangladesh Army UN Deployment
  8. ↑ Codron, Jérémie (2007-10-18). Maturation & Distortion of the Bangladeshi Army. SAMAJ - Putting Factions Back in the Civil Military Relations Equation Genesis: 62.
  9. ↑ [www.bbs.gov.bd Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics]
  10. ↑ Detention of Bangladeshi Leader Declared Illegal, BBC News, March 1, 1998.
  11. ↑ [http://www.bangladeshnews.com.bd/2006/11/22/bnp-govt-falsely-implicated-him-in-gold-smuggling-case-in-1991 BangladeshNews BNP Govt Falsely Implicated .......... in 1991]
  12. ↑ BangladeshNews Ershad Gets Acquitted
  13. ↑ BangladeshNews Witnesses Knows Nothing About Gold Smuggling
  14. ↑ http://www.allvoices.com/news/882352-ershad-nizami
  15. ↑ www.state.gov/documents/organization/28494.pdf
  16. ↑ BBC Online - Ex Bangladesh Leader Fights for Son
  17. ↑ Indian Epress
  18. ↑ The Daily Star
  19. ↑ BBC Online
  20. ↑ BBC News
  21. ↑ BBC News Online
  22. ↑ BBC News Online
  23. ↑ Ershad Maed Protagonist
  24. ↑ DW-World Bangladesh: Shifting Alliances before the Polls
  25. ↑ "Ershad quits party post", The Daily Star, July 1, 2007.
  26. ↑ BBC Tarique Rahman Denied Bail
  27. ↑ Those Shameless Corrupts in Bangladesh
  28. ↑ The Daily Star
  29. ↑ Ershad Cliams Party Top Post Again
  30. ↑ JP Abroad AL Poll's Boat


References

  • Baxter, Craig. 1998. Bangladesh: from a nation to a state. Nations of the modern world. Boulder, Colo: Westview Press.
  • Chakravarti, S. R. 1995. Bangladesh under Mujib, Zia, and Ershad: dilemma of a new nation. New Delhi: Har-Anand Publications. ISBN 9788124103098
  • Chowdhury, Mahfuzul H. 2003. Democratization in South Asia: lessons from American institutions. Burlington, VT: Ashgate. ISBN 9780754634232.
  • Khan, Manzur Rashid. 2000. Fall of Ershad and rule of Shahabuddin. Dhaka: Agamee Prakashani. ISBN 9789844014404
  • Matīna, Ābadula. 1986. Ershad's election fraud. Bangladesh political scene, no. 3. London: Radical Asia Publications. ISBN 9780907546054
  • Matīna, Ābadula. 1988. Bangladesh dictator unmasked: Ershad shows contempt for the electorate. Bangladesh political scene, no. 5. London: Radical Asia Publications. ISBN 9780907546085
  • Ziring, Lawrence. 1992. Bangladesh: from Mujib to Ershad: an interpretive study. Karachi: Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780195774207
  • "Ershad, Hussain Muhammad". 1984. Current Biography Yearbook. 45. OCLC 51873850

External links

Preceded by:
Lt.Gen. Ziaur Rahman 		Chiefs of Army Staff, Bangladesh
 Succeeded by:
Lt.Gen. Atiqur Rahman
Preceded by:
Abdus Sattar 		President of Bangladesh
March 24 1982–27 March 27 1982 		Succeeded by:
A.F.M. Ahsanuddin Chowdhury
Preceded by:
A.F.M. Ahsanuddin Chowdhury 		President of Bangladesh
December 11 1983–6 December 6 1990 		Succeeded by:
Shahabuddin Ahmed

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