Speakers said in a roundtable discussion: Intolerance to democratic politics won’t end crisis

The Dhaka Forum (TDF) on Saturday hosted a roundtable discussion at the National Press Club under the banner of "Democracy and Sustainable Development". President of TDF Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, former Advisors to the Caretaker Government M Hafizuddin Khan
The Dhaka Forum (TDF) on Saturday hosted a roundtable discussion at the National Press Club under the banner of "Democracy and Sustainable Development". President of TDF Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, former Advisors to the Caretaker Government M Hafizuddin Khan
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Staff Reporter :
Civil society representatives on Saturday said intolerance to democratic politics would not end the present crisis of the country.
They also said, the party politics has failed us for failed leadership. Now with the death of free election and the government’s intolerance to constitutional politics there is an end of party politics. But that is no guarantee for the chaotic government to survive against popular frustration.
They said this in a roundtable discussion held at Tofazzal Hossain Manik Mia Hall of the National Press Club hosted by The Dhaka Forum (TDF) under the banner of “Democracy and Sustainable Development”.
Former Advisor to the Caretaker Government M Hafizuddin Khan presided over the programme. President of The Dhaka Forum Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed presented the keynote paper in the discussion and also moderated it. Former Advisor to the Caretaker Government Barrister Mainul Hosein, former State Minister of Foreign Affairs Abul Hasan Chowdhury, former President of FBCCI Abdul Awal Mintoo, Professor Anu Muhammad, Dr. Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, Nagarik Oikya Convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna, Engineer M Inamul Haque, Former Ambassador M Serajul Islam, Syed Abu Naser Buktear Ahmed and Former Ambassadar F A Shamim Ahmed, among others, spoke in the programme.
Gonoshasthya Kendra Trustee Board member Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury and some other invitees were present in the programme.
In the keynote paper, Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed said, “When democracy shrinks, the uneven development of the capital is shown. That is why businessmen are controlling the government. Not the people, capital is now the source of power. As a result, the interest of the people is not getting importance in that sense. There is no accountability, there is no good governance in our country.”
“If there is no right to vote for the general people or if voting is blocked by power or money, then the public representatives are only in name, they are not representatives of the people. Crores taka are being looted. There are no regrets among responsible persons,” he said.
In a written speech Barrister Hosein has forcefully asserted that the loss of vote is a challenge to meaningful independence and we all have to work together to live in freedom.
He continued, the party politics has failed us for failed leadership. Now with the death of free election and the government’s intolerance to constitutional politics there is an end of party politics. But that is no guarantee for the chaotic government to survive against popular frustration.
Barrister Hosein stated most disappointedly that it is not independence to live in fear of our own state machinery and suffer wrongs in the hands of our own government officials.
He sadly recalled madrasa student Nusrat’s brutal death and said that the tragic incident exposed, to the shame of us all, how insecure our life and liberty is. Even police and political leaders acted jointly in committing sexual brutality against her. Such organised gangs are to be found everywhere to indulge in crimes. Her courage in defence of her right remains a shining example for us to follow. She appealed for justice not from the police or the government but from the people of conscience.
The Supreme Court is trying hard to save the judiciary in a lonely battle. The lower judiciary is under pressure from Law Ministry and its Secretary is known for phoning judges often to say what to do. Yet, the Law Minister claims that because the judiciary is independent the corrupt ones go unpunished forgetting that an honest government does not rob election to remain in power.
As a nation we are not so uneducated and incompetent that we shall go on tolerating the denial of vote and the right to the rule of law only to make mockery our hard earned independence.
Indicating the December 30 Parliament election and governance of the country, M Hafizuddin Khan said, “Sadly, there was no protest against it. We have not seen anyone in public. Bengalis were protesting nation. So many times we protested in 52, 69 and 71. I cannot understand why all are dead now?”
Abdul Awal Mintoo said, “The state itself is managed by the corrupt people. The entire state system, the whole society system is lying on falsehood. Need to get rid of this situation. All injustices have an end. A country cannot move like this. Hopefully, Bangladesh will be released from this situation soon. That’s why everyone will have to be protesting.”
Professor Anu Muhammad said, “People of our society are in all-round insecurity. Telling the story of development in this circumstance is a cruel joke to the people. The state network is working behind all kinds of crimes including sexual harassment. We saw the this type of network behind killing of Nusrat Jahan Rafi, a student of Sonagazi Islamia Senior Fazil Madrasa. She finally succumbed to her injuries after being set on fire.”
Dr. Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir said, “Macro economy stability is rich due to current account balance resulting from higher import compared to growth in export. Simultaneously the capital account would face challenges as the repayment of the loans would stuck. These factors may lead to habitual on the balance of payment situation which mainly comprises of current account and capital account.”
He also said, “The economy has been exhibiting jobless, growth peak, with high inequality amid fiscal imbalances. There has been a rate of dividend in reduction of poverty and real wages. The unemployment among the youth population has increased which may not lead the country to yield the demographic dividend.”
Mahmudur Rahman Manna said, “Robbery took place in the 30th December election. They are telling the stories of development. Is the development happening really? It cannot be called development where GDP is not equitable for all. There is no employment opportunity in the country. Only looters are developing their positions, not the general people.”
Former ambassador M Serajul Islam said, “The people of the country could not vote in December 30. I could not vote for myself. Now it is said that BKSAL is the spirit of 71. What’s the development? We cannot live like human beings.”

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