Today, 25th February, marks one of the saddest days in Bangladesh history. In 2009, days after Awami League ascended into power, many top army officers were killed in a heinous attack. The so-called 'BDR mutiny' changed the landscape of our political power and the grand planners as well as their blueprint is yet to be revealed. Many feel it was an international conspiracy and the current regime not only was aware of the fact but also benefited from it ever since.

However, that large scale conspiracy and major incident will always be discussed. Hopefully, one day the truth shall be exposed but we have already forgotten another killing. A state killing.

A pioneer entrepreneur, thinker and philanthropist Mushtaq Ahmed was killed by the state on this very day just three years ago. He was held captive by the state force and due to their relentless torture, the man who had dreamt to serve his country through his innovative ideas, died miserably.

Mushtaq is one of the many people who have been killed by the law enforcement agents of the current regime, which started with the BDR killing, and the killing machine is still operating.

Mushtaq and his aide Kishore were arrested as they exposed the crimes of people close to the regime and faced the fate like thousands others. Mushtaq lost his life while Kishore, allegedly, lost his mind.

The death of Mushtaq, however, is not only significant because it took place in the auspicious death but the very incident questions the so called civil society.

When this regime started to hunt down opposition leaders and activists, these people from civil society tried to overlook the matter. Some even brazenly and secretly supported it in the name of the spirit of liberation war. The civil society, by definition, should always be vocal against any oppression and endorsing state killing for political motives lose all their respect and efficacy.

Even then, the killing of Mushtaq puts them into an even greater abyss. Mushtaq belonged to that very society. He was not even a political rival to this regime but as soon as he started expressing some mere truth about the goons and thieves, he was treated just like the political opposition.

And yet, the so-called civil society is numb. Despite losing one of their very own, they did not revolt or even became outrageous. Mushtaq was a student of cadet college, a powerful group who pride themselves in being a very tight-knit community, yet his incredible demise did not raise enough voice. Those people seem to enjoy their privilege in the blood of their fellow brethren.

One day the regime may be toppled, one day the criminals may face justice, but the civil society, the supposed mouthpiece of the oppressed, shall never be absolved.