Anu Muhammad Anisur Rahman, better known as Anu Muhammad (Bengali: আনু মুহাম্মদ; born September 22, 1956), is an academic, economist, public intellectual, writer, editor, and political activist from Bangladesh. He was a professor of economics at Jahangirnagar University (1982-2022), he also taught anthropology (1991-2005) at the same university.[1] He was a visiting scholar in Columbia University, US (1993) and Manitoba University, Canada (2001), taught at University of Winnipeg (2001).

Anu Muhammad
Born
Anu Muhammad Anisur Rahman

(1956-09-22) 22 September 1956 (age 68)
NationalityBangladeshi
SpouseShilpi Barua
Academic career
FieldPolitical economy, anthropology, activism
InstitutionJahangirnagar University
Alma materJahangirnagar University
InfluencesMarx, Lenin
Information at IDEAS / RePEc
Websitewww.anumuhammad.net

Muhammad stands against class-gender-ethnic-religious discrimination, exploitation, environmental destruction, colonial domination, neo-liberal aggression in Bangladesh and elsewhere in the world. Beside performing academic responsibilities he has been working for social-political-cultural organizations and movements. He was the General Secretary for four terms of Bangladesh Lekhok Shibir, the leading writers organization at that time from 1984 to 1993.[2] He was the elected general secretary for two terms of Jahangirnagar University Teachers Association (1986, 1987). He also played a key role in drafting ‘policy against sexual harassment’ in Jahangirnagar University following large anti-rape movement in 1998. That policy was the first document that helped make it a national policy.[3]

Muhammad was the organizer of Committee to Protect Fundamental rights in Chottogram Hill tracts (1992-98).[4] He was also involved in the movement against war criminals of 1971 since 1991.  He organised peoples tribunal against the World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Asian Development Bank (ADB) for their misdeeds in the name of development ‘aid’ in 2007.

Muhammad started work with the National Committee to Protect Oil Gas Mineral Resources, Port and Power (NCBD) in 1999 and led the broad alliance as member secretary from 2005 to 2021.[2] During this period he led various movements to assert peoples ownership over their lives and resources and also to strengthen the peoples authority to bring environment friendly development for people. His writings and activism helped to build national movement against export of gas, anti-people contracts with multinationals and neo-liberal reform. He also led the movements against open pit mining in Phulbari by British-Australian company and Bangladesh-India joint Rampal coal fired power plant on Sundarban. After peoples uprising against Phulbari coal project the then government was forced to sign an agreement with the people to cancel the project. On behalf of the people Anu Muhammad signed the agreement on 30 August 2006. He also opposed the coal power plants from China and Japan, and nuclear power plant from Russia in writings and in public protests.[5]

Muhammad initiated research work with experts from home and abroad for getting better, cheaper and environment friendly alternative power system for Bangladesh. In the process he became the coordinator of an expert panel that prepared an ‘alternative master plan for energy and power’ solution for Bangladesh mostly based on renewable energy and national capability that was made public in 2017.[6]

His public speeches, writings and his anti-establishment position led to many physical attacks and threat since 1995. He  received death threats many times. He was seriously injured and hospitalized by the police attack in September 2009 during a demonstration protesting highly biased Production Sharing Contract (PSC) with US multinational oil companies.[7] This event led to protests by different organizations and sections of the people in the country, a half day general strike was observed and an open letter condemned the event, signed by intellectuals, academics, and activists from around the world. He was arrested during a general strike he was leading in 2011.[8] He received death threat for leading movement against Rampal Coal Fired Power Plant on Sundarbon.[9]

Muhammad edited various journals and periodicals. He was the editor of Samaj biggan sameekkha, Social Science Journal (2016-2021) JU; Executive Editor,Sanskriti (1981-1999); Editor,Trinomul (1998-2000) and Natun Path (2002-2003); Editor,Meghbarta, first online journal (1998-2008). He is now Editor: Sarbojonkotha (Public Voices), a Bangla journal on socio economic issues, published quarterly since November 2014.[10]

Muhammad has written several books, chapters in edited books and articles in Bangla and Englishon social-economic and political issues,Some of his articles were published in Monthly Review and Economic and Political Weekly. List of his published books is given below:[2]

Books

edit
No Name of the Book Publisher Publishing Year
1 Biswa Pujibad O Bangladesher Anunnayan

(World Capitalism and Underdevelopment of Bangladesh)

Karim Prokashoni

Songhoti Prokashoni -2nd Edition

1983

2007

2 Bangladesher Durbhikkho

(Famine in Bangladesh) (Co Author: Atiur Rahman)

Papri Prokashoni 1984
3 Bangladesher Grameen Samaj O Arthaniti

(Rural Society and Economy of Bangladesh)

Shahid Prokashoni

Meera Prokashoni - 2nd Edition

1985

2000

4 Bangladeshi Unnayan Shankat ebang NGO Model

(Crisis of Development and the NGO Model in Bangladesh)

Prochinta Prokashoni

2nd Edition

3rd Edition

1988

2000

2021

5 Bangladesher Kotipati,Madhyabitto O Sramik (Multimillionaires,Middle Class and Workers) Chalantika Prokashoni

Bangala Gobeshona - 2nd Edition

1992

2022

6 Anunnata Deshe Samajtanra: Sangram O Aviggata

(Socialism in Underdeveloped Countries: Struggle and Experience)

Protik Prokashoni

Songhoti Prokashoni -2nd Edition

1993

2019

7 Krantikaler Biswa-arthaniti ebang Unnoyan Samrajya (World Economy in transition and Development Empire) Bostu Prokashon

Meera Prokashoni -2nd Edition

1992

2001

8 Punjir Antarjatikikaran ebong Anunnata Biswa (Internationalization of Capital and Underdeveloped World) Center for Social Studies, Dhaka University

Srabon Prokashoni (2nd Edition)

1993

2006

9 Samaj, Samay ebong Manusher Larai

(Society, Time and Struggle of Human-being)

Sondesh Prokashoni 1994
10 Dharma, Rashtra ebong Gonotantrik Andolon

(Religion, State and Democratic Struggle)

Charbak Prokashoni 1994
11 Bangladesher Unnoyan ki Asamvab?

(Is Development of Bangladesh impossible?)

Jatio Grantho Prokashon 1995
12 Columbuser America "Abishkar" O Bahujatik Manushera

(Columbus's "Discovery" of America and Multinational faces )

Jatio Grantho Prokashon 1995
13 Nari,Purush O Samaj

(Gender and Society)

Sondesh Prokashoni

2nd Edition Songhoti Prokashoni - 3rd Edition

1997

2005

2012

14 Rashtra O Rajniti: Bangladesher Dui Doshok

(State and Politics: Two decades of Bangladesh)

Sondesh Prokashoni 2000
15 Bangladesher Arthinitir Chalchitra

(Scanning Bangladesh Economy)

Shrabon Prokashoni 2000
16 Atonker Somaj Sontraser Arthiniti

(Society of Fear Economy of Violence)

Meera Prokashon 2001
17 Arthasastrer Mulniti

(Principles of Economics)

Bangladesh Open University 2001
18 Bangladesher Tel-Gas: Kar Ssompod Kar Bipod

(Oil and Gas in Bangladesh: Whose Resource Whose Liability)

Jatio Grantho Prokashon 2002
19 Biswaner Boiporitya

(Contrariety of Globalization)

Shrabon Prokashoni

2nd Edition

Songhoti Prokashoni - 3rd Edition

2003

2007

2021

20 Bangladesher Arthinir Gotimukh

(Direction Of Bangladesh Economy)

Shrabon Prokashoni

Bangala Gobeshona - 2nd Edition

2005

2022

21 Manusher Somaj

(Human Society)

Roudro Prokashoni

Songhoti Prokashoni - 2nd Edition

2005

2010

22 Unnoyoner Rajniti

(Politics of Development)

Suchipotro 2006
23 Biplober Swapnabhumi Cuba pujibadi Biswayane Latin America (Cuba the dreamland of Revolution and Latin America in Globalized Capitalism) Shrabon Prokashoni


2nd Edition

Songhoti Prokashoni - Songhoti Edition

2007

2010


2017

24 Phulbari Kansat Garments 2006 Shrabon Prokashoni 2007
25 Kothai Jachche Bangladesh

(Where Bangladesh is heading to)

Songhoti Prokashoni 2008
26 Arokkhito Desh Arokkhito Manush

(Unprotected country unprotected people)

Adorn Prokashoni 2009
27 Elias O Proshner Shokti

(Elias and the power of question)

Shrabon Prokashoni

Gronthik Prokashon -2nd Expanded Edition

2009


2022

28 Development or Destruction, Essays on Global Hegemony, Corporate Grabbing and Bangladesh Shrabon Prokashoni 2007
29 Anu Muhammader Sakkhatkar

(Interview of Anu Muhammad)

Rodela Prokashoni 2010
30 Pujir antorgoto probonota: Manush, Sompod, Prokriti

(Inherent trends and crisis of Capital: People, Wealth, Nature)

Songhoti Prokashoni 2010
31 Arthastra Porichoi

(Introduction to Economics)

Songhoti Prokashoni 2010
32 Samorik Shasoner Doshoke

(In the decade of military regime)

Noborag Prokashoni 2011
33 Sottor Doshoke

(In the decade of Seventies)

Ekushe Prokashoni 2009
34 Bangladeshe Shilpodyokta

(Entrepreneurs in Bangladesh)

Catharsis Publishing 2008
35 Eshwar Puji O Manush

(God, Capital and People)

Mowla Brathers 2014
36 Bangladesher Muktijuddho, Samrajyabad O Bharatproshno

(The Liberation War of Bangladesh, Imperialism and The Question of India)

Noborag Prokashoni 2014
37 Amra 99%

(We are 99%)

Manushjon Prokashoni 2015
38 'Santrasbirodhi Juddho: Afghanistan, Iraq, Bangladesh

(War on Terror: Afghanistan, Iraq, Bangladesh)

Aloghor Prokashona 2016
39 Unnoyoner Boiporityo

(Contrariety of Development)

Mowla Brathers 2018
40 Pran Prakriti Bangladesh

(Life nature Bangladesh)

Mowla Brathers 2019
41 Rashtra ache Rashtra nai

(State exists, State does not exist)

Songhoti Prokashoni 2019
42 Hugo Chávez Sahe Venezuelar Golpo

The story of Venezuela with Hugo Chávez

Songhoti Prokashoni 2020
43 Development Re-examined: Construction and Consequences of Neo- liberal Bangladesh UPL 2020
44 Coronakale Bangladesh

(Bangladesh during COVID-19)

Songhoti Prokashoni 2021
45 Chin: Porashokir Biborton

(China: The Evolution of a Superpower)

BizBanla Media Limited 2023

References

edit
  1. ^ "Jahangirnagar University". juniv.edu. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  2. ^ a b c "আনু মুহাম্মদ". Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  3. ^ sarbojonkotha (18 June 2023). "যৌন নিপীড়ন বিরোধী নীতিমালা". সর্বজনকথা. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  4. ^ আলো, পাহাড়ের (6 April 2018). "হিল উইমেন্স ফেডারেশনের দুই নেত্রীকে উদ্ধারের দাবিতে ঢাকায় নাগরিক সমাবেশ". পাহাড়ের আলো. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  5. ^ "NCBD – National Committee of Bangladesh". ncbd.org. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  6. ^ "Renewable Energy « NCBD – National Committee of Bangladesh". ncbd.org. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  7. ^ "Protesters clash with cops: 30 hurt". The Daily Star. 2 September 2009. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  8. ^ "100 picked up during relaxed hartal". The Daily Star. 4 July 2011. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  9. ^ "Anu Muhammad gets death threats". The Daily Star. 14 October 2016. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  10. ^ "সর্বজনকথা". সর্বজনকথা. 1 August 2024. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
edit