Anu Muhammad Anisur Rahman, better known as Anu Muhammad (; born 22 September 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. He was a visiting scholar in Columbia University, US (1993) and Manitoba University, Canada (2001), taught at University of Winnipeg (2001).

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. 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.

Muhammad was the organizer of Committee to Protect Fundamental rights in Chottogram Hill tracts (1992–98). 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. 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.

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.

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. 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. He received death threat for leading movement against Rampal Coal Fired Power Plant on Sundarbon.

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.

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:

Books NoName of the BookPublisherPublishing Year1Biswa Pujibad O Bangladesher Anunnayan (World Capitalism and Underdevelopment of Bangladesh)Karim Prokashoni Songhoti Prokashoni -2nd Edition 1983

20072Bangladesher Durbhikkho (Famine in Bangladesh) (Co Author: Atiur Rahman)Papri Prokashoni19843Bangladesher Grameen Samaj O Arthaniti (Rural Society and Economy of Bangladesh)Shahid Prokashoni Meera Prokashoni - 2nd Edition 1985 20004Bangladeshi Unnayan Shankat ebang NGO Model (Crisis of Development and the NGO Model in Bangladesh)Prochinta Prokashoni 2nd Edition

3rd Edition1988 2000

20215Bangladesher Kotipati, Madhyabitto O Sramik (Multimillionaires, Middle Class and Workers)Chalantika Prokashoni Bangala Gobeshona - 2nd Edition1992

20226Anunnata Deshe Samajtanra: Sangram O Aviggata (Socialism in Underdeveloped Countries: Struggle and Experience)Protik Prokashoni Songhoti Prokashoni -2nd Edition1993

20197Krantikaler Biswa-arthaniti ebang Unnoyan Samrajya (World Economy in transition and Development Empire)Bostu Prokashon Meera Prokashoni -2nd Edition1992

20018Punjir Antarjatikikaran ebong Anunnata Biswa (Internationalization of Capital and Underdeveloped World)Center for Social Studies, Dhaka University Srabon Prokashoni (2nd Edition)1993 20069Samaj, Samay ebong Manusher Larai (Society, Time and Struggle of Human-being)Sondesh Prokashoni199410Dharma, Rashtra ebong Gonotantrik Andolon (Religion, State and Democratic Struggle)Charbak Prokashoni199411Bangladesher Unnoyan ki Asamvab? (Is Development of Bangladesh impossible?)Jatio Grantho Prokashon199512Columbuser America "Abishkar" O Bahujatik Manushera (Columbus's "Discovery" of America and Multinational faces)Jatio Grantho Prokashon199513Nari, Purush O Samaj (Gender and Society)Sondesh Prokashoni 2nd Edition Songhoti Prokashoni - 3rd Edition 1997 2005

201214Rashtra O Rajniti: Bangladesher Dui Doshok (State and Politics: Two decades of Bangladesh)Sondesh Prokashoni200015Bangladesher Arthinitir Chalchitra (Scanning Bangladesh Economy)Shrabon Prokashoni200016Atonker Somaj Sontraser Arthiniti (Society of Fear Economy of Violence)Meera Prokashon200117Arthasastrer Mulniti (Principles of Economics)Bangladesh Open University200118Bangladesher Tel-Gas: Kar Ssompod Kar Bipod (Oil and Gas in Bangladesh: Whose Resource Whose Liability)Jatio Grantho Prokashon200219Biswaner Boiporitya (Contrariety of Globalization)Shrabon Prokashoni 2nd Edition

Songhoti Prokashoni - 3rd Edition2003 2007

202120Bangladesher Arthinir Gotimukh (Direction Of Bangladesh Economy)Shrabon Prokashoni Bangala Gobeshona - 2nd Edition 2005

202221Manusher Somaj (Human Society)Roudro Prokashoni Songhoti Prokashoni - 2nd Edition 2005

201022Unnoyoner Rajniti (Politics of Development)Suchipotro200623Biplober 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

201724Phulbari Kansat Garments 2006Shrabon Prokashoni200725Kothai Jachche Bangladesh (Where Bangladesh is heading to)Songhoti Prokashoni200826Arokkhito Desh Arokkhito Manush (Unprotected country unprotected people)Adorn Prokashoni200927Elias O Proshner Shokti (Elias and the power of question)Shrabon Prokashoni Gronthik Prokashon -2nd Expanded Edition 2009

202228Development or Destruction, Essays on Global Hegemony, Corporate Grabbing and BangladeshShrabon Prokashoni200729Anu Muhammader Sakkhatkar (Interview of Anu Muhammad)Rodela Prokashoni201030Pujir antorgoto probonota: Manush, Sompod, Prokriti (Inherent trends and crisis of Capital: People, Wealth, Nature)Songhoti Prokashoni201031Arthastra Porichoi (Introduction to Economics)Songhoti Prokashoni201032Samorik Shasoner Doshoke (In the decade of military regime) Noborag Prokashoni201133Sottor Doshoke (In the decade of Seventies)Ekushe Prokashoni200934Bangladeshe Shilpodyokta (Entrepreneurs in Bangladesh)Catharsis Publishing200835Eshwar Puji O Manush (God, Capital and People)Mowla Brathers201436Bangladesher Muktijuddho, Samrajyabad O Bharatproshno (The Liberation War of Bangladesh, Imperialism and The Question of India)Noborag Prokashoni201437Amra 99% (We are 99%)Manushjon Prokashoni201538'Santrasbirodhi Juddho: Afghanistan, Iraq, Bangladesh (War on Terror: Afghanistan, Iraq, Bangladesh)Aloghor Prokashona201639Unnoyoner Boiporityo (Contrariety of Development)Mowla Brathers201840Pran Prakriti Bangladesh (Life nature Bangladesh)Mowla Brathers201941Rashtra ache Rashtra nai (State exists, State does not exist)Songhoti Prokashoni201942Hugo Chávez Sahe Venezuelar Golpo The story of Venezuela with Hugo Chávez Songhoti Prokashoni202043Development Re-examined: Construction and Consequences of Neo- liberal BangladeshUPL202044Coronakale Bangladesh (Bangladesh during COVID-19)Songhoti Prokashoni202145Chin: Porashoktir Biborton (China: The Evolution of a Superpower)BizBangla Media Limited2023

References

External links

Development Strategy and Problems of Democratisation in a Peripheral Country, Radical Notes, 9 January 2007 Peripheral Economy, Global Capital and Movements in Bangladesh: An