Dewan Brothers: Hill Politics Within the Cycle of Resignations

The memory of that difficult time 34 years ago still shines brightly in Niroopa Dewan’s mind. Recalling those memories, she said in 1989, to resolve the crisis in the hill tracts, the Local Government Council was formed, which is now known as the Hill District Council. With the unanimous support of both hill people and Bengalis, Gautam Dewan, a former popular student leader, organizer, twice-elected municipal chairman, and someone not directly involved in partisan politics, was elected as the first chairman uncontested.

What a cruel twist of fate. Just three years later, in 1992, during a violent communal attack in Rangamati town, after repeatedly seeking administrative support in vain, he resigned out of anger, frustration, and hurt, and left. With the end of that brief tenure of the first and only chairman of the Hill District Council, no election has been held for that position in 37 years! Gautam Dewan started this culture of resignation, and after Moniswapan, the same thing happened with Dipen. The truth is: The people of Rangamati are unlucky; their fate is simply bad.

The state never truly feels the emotions and sentiments of the hill people with its heart. If it did, the same incidents would not recur repeatedly.

After Gautam Dewan's resignation in 1992, when the BNP government came to power in 2001, Moniswapan Dewan was given charge of the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs as a Deputy Minister. But towards the end of their term, conflicts arose with Wadud Bhuiya, the MP from the neighboring district of Khagrachari, over various issues. At one point, an irritated Moniswapan resigned as Deputy Minister. He also left the party, or was forced to leave.

Regarding this, Moniswapan Dewan said, "I don't want to talk about the context and situation of that time, twenty years later; what's the use of talking? However, there was no conflict or ego issue between me and the party or the party's top leadership. A situation was created such that I was forced to leave the party."

After navigating many ups and downs, Moniswapan returned to the party about five years after leaving it. He also became a party candidate in the 2018 election.

Following the sequence of Gautam Dewan and Moniswapan Dewan, just two days ago, Dipen Dewan—who became the first full-fledged minister from Rangamati—also resigned! Although the resignations of three Dewans over 37 years may be coincidental, they represent a repetition of the same kind of politics. Notable personalities are unwilling to accept this return of the same scene as 'normal.'
Educationist and former member of the National Human Rights Commission, Niroopa Dewan, said, "This is abnormal—the same incident, repeatedly, at different times. I believe the rulers are not feeling the problems of the hills and the hill people with their hearts. The hills, and the hill people and their leadership, must be seen not through the eyes of power, but through the eyes of trust and reliance. Only then, perhaps, these repeated resignations will not happen."

Meanwhile, former Deputy Minister for Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs, Moniswapan Dewan, says that although the contexts of the incidents are different, the reality cannot be denied.

Regarding Dipen Dewan's resignation, he said, "For now, everyone is talking about certain issues, but I believe there is some other reason inside. Perhaps we don't know or don't understand it. It may become clear in time."

Asked what complications this latest resignation might cause in the hill tracts, he replied, "What will happen? Nothing will happen. The BNP is a big party. Nothing will stop. Processions and meetings won't achieve anything. Those who made the decision have made it after careful consideration—that much is clear from how quickly the resignation was accepted and the gazette notification was issued. Now we'll see what happens next."

However, Niroopa Dewan believes this resignation will have some negative effects. Because Dipen had started some initiatives with the aspiration to work—his resignation will disrupt that and increase distrust.

Regardless of the circumstances behind the events, netizens from the hill tracts have voiced their protest by finding similarities in the resignations of Gautam Dewan, Moniswapan Dewan, and Dipen Dewan. Many are saying that it is likely a matter of self-respect that keeps tripping up the leadership of the hills, leading to resignations. To prevent such repeated resignations, they advise the rulers not to use force, but to use their hearts.

Meanwhile, even after 48 hours have passed since the resignation, the resigned Hill Minister Dipen Dewan has still not spoken. Although his supporters are holding processions, meetings, and protests, he remains completely silent. Sources close to him claim that his political advisors have advised him to stay quiet. Therefore, until he speaks, the answers to many questions will remain unknown.

On the other hand, there is much speculation about who the new Hill Minister will be. Responsible BNP leaders are not speaking about this either. Dipen Dewan is still in Dhaka; the district BNP president Dipan Talukder is also in Dhaka. Also in Dhaka is retired Lieutenant Colonel Manish Dewan, around whom so many events have transpired. Even the elected Member of Parliament from Bandarban, Saching Pru Jerry, is staying in Dhaka, and his name is being discussed the most as the next Hill Minister. However, considering his age and physical condition, even his close associates are reluctant to accept that he can shoulder this major responsibility during such a difficult time.

A reliable source within the BNP claims that, similar to the Khaleda Zia government of 2001-2006, the Prime Minister himself may keep this important ministry under his own charge and run it through the current Minister of State. Sources close to the ministry also echo this sentiment. Because if Jerry, who is not fully fit physically, is not made minister, the government has little opportunity to appoint someone under the technocrat quota. There are also not multiple alternatives. So, if the Prime Minister keeps this ministry under his own responsibility, it would not be surprising. Various circumstantial factors are pointing toward that possibility.