Staff Reporter :
Speakers at a discussion at Jatiya Press Club yesterday said people must end their silence to raise voice to end the unruly situation at all levels and restore the rule of law for people to vote freely and live in peace.
They said the unity that the students showed in their movement for reform of the quota system in government job brought hope to the nation that our younger generation can better accomplish what our existing leadership is failing to accomplish. They have shown the way.
The discussion organized by Adarsha Nagorik Andolan was addressed among others by former adviser of the caretaker government Barrister Mainul Hosein, founder of Gonoshasthya Kendra Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury and Nagorik Oikya Convenor Mahmudur Rahman Manna
Barrister Mainul Hosein said the country is passing through a terrible situation in which everyone is finding himself insecure and frustrated one way or the other. People have no right to speak freely and to vote freely to elect their government.
He said, “It hurts me most to find that even the students whose demand for quota reform was found by people from all walks of life as reasonable have been condemned by a minister of the government as children of Rajakars.”
“There are some leaders like her who fled the country leaving our people helpless to be butchered by Pakistani army. Now we find them not ashamed but feel free to question our patriotism for the country,” he said.
Speaking as the chief guest in the event titled “Need for national unity to restore democracy and rules of law” Barrister Mainul Hosein wondered how a minister can insult the new generation questioning their patriotism and said the government should sack the minister for such provocative remarks.
Just because they went to India they can’t make them so powerful as to castigate the vast majority of the nation. Their elders fought for the country as freedom fighters and many have laid their lives. He said we find it difficult to live honorably and our students being abused now as children of Rajakars because they took to the street with a legitimate demand for government jobs based on merit.
In independent Bangladesh, the question is why the people will have to get united against autocracy when those who are collaborating with an oppressive government also belong to our people. Not Pakistanis.
Our politics is weak that is why in the liberation war we lost leadership and our people’s freedom. In independent Bangladesh our politics not also being based on commitment to the people; we do not have also a strong opposition either. The more we criticise the government the more harsh it becomes.
The people are more helpless because our freedom fighters have found it convenient to remain quiet. The people had expected them to be fighters for the cause of democratic freedom. Surely, as freedom fighters they did not fight for personal gains, he questioned.
In conclusion Barrister Mainul said in disappointment that affairs of “apa and madam” is no politics to be helpful for the people.
Dr. Zafrullah Chowdhury, said, people who attacked on Dhaka University VC’s residence have been identified. Police said they were professionals. Then, he asked, why several cases have been filed against the general students and he demanded immediate withdrawal of the cases. He doubted government agents may have carried out the attack.
On Khaleda Zia’s imprisonment, he said ” I don’t want her release; I want justice. If she gets justice she will get bail automatically.
Laying emphasis on national unity, Zafrullah said it is the need of the hour and the bigger party which may go to power must make it clear what they would do when they will be in power. He demanded rule of law and stop to forced disappearance and torture to death in police custody.
Mahmudur Rahman Manna, said the country had never seen such helpless situation as today. This government can do anything to continue in power.
He said students can’t be silenced. In the past student community played important role behind every movement and they will do it again.
On national unity Manna said, “I agree to make unity with BNP. But I have some conditions that include to make sure the independence of judiciary and violence can’t be politicized.
BNP joint secretary general Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal, Adarsha Nagorik Andolan chairman Abdullahil Masud, NDP acting secretary general M Manzur Hossain Isha, among others were present.
Speakers at a discussion at Jatiya Press Club yesterday said people must end their silence to raise voice to end the unruly situation at all levels and restore the rule of law for people to vote freely and live in peace.
They said the unity that the students showed in their movement for reform of the quota system in government job brought hope to the nation that our younger generation can better accomplish what our existing leadership is failing to accomplish. They have shown the way.
The discussion organized by Adarsha Nagorik Andolan was addressed among others by former adviser of the caretaker government Barrister Mainul Hosein, founder of Gonoshasthya Kendra Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury and Nagorik Oikya Convenor Mahmudur Rahman Manna
Barrister Mainul Hosein said the country is passing through a terrible situation in which everyone is finding himself insecure and frustrated one way or the other. People have no right to speak freely and to vote freely to elect their government.
He said, “It hurts me most to find that even the students whose demand for quota reform was found by people from all walks of life as reasonable have been condemned by a minister of the government as children of Rajakars.”
“There are some leaders like her who fled the country leaving our people helpless to be butchered by Pakistani army. Now we find them not ashamed but feel free to question our patriotism for the country,” he said.
Speaking as the chief guest in the event titled “Need for national unity to restore democracy and rules of law” Barrister Mainul Hosein wondered how a minister can insult the new generation questioning their patriotism and said the government should sack the minister for such provocative remarks.
Just because they went to India they can’t make them so powerful as to castigate the vast majority of the nation. Their elders fought for the country as freedom fighters and many have laid their lives. He said we find it difficult to live honorably and our students being abused now as children of Rajakars because they took to the street with a legitimate demand for government jobs based on merit.
In independent Bangladesh, the question is why the people will have to get united against autocracy when those who are collaborating with an oppressive government also belong to our people. Not Pakistanis.
Our politics is weak that is why in the liberation war we lost leadership and our people’s freedom. In independent Bangladesh our politics not also being based on commitment to the people; we do not have also a strong opposition either. The more we criticise the government the more harsh it becomes.
The people are more helpless because our freedom fighters have found it convenient to remain quiet. The people had expected them to be fighters for the cause of democratic freedom. Surely, as freedom fighters they did not fight for personal gains, he questioned.
In conclusion Barrister Mainul said in disappointment that affairs of “apa and madam” is no politics to be helpful for the people.
Dr. Zafrullah Chowdhury, said, people who attacked on Dhaka University VC’s residence have been identified. Police said they were professionals. Then, he asked, why several cases have been filed against the general students and he demanded immediate withdrawal of the cases. He doubted government agents may have carried out the attack.
On Khaleda Zia’s imprisonment, he said ” I don’t want her release; I want justice. If she gets justice she will get bail automatically.
Laying emphasis on national unity, Zafrullah said it is the need of the hour and the bigger party which may go to power must make it clear what they would do when they will be in power. He demanded rule of law and stop to forced disappearance and torture to death in police custody.
Mahmudur Rahman Manna, said the country had never seen such helpless situation as today. This government can do anything to continue in power.
He said students can’t be silenced. In the past student community played important role behind every movement and they will do it again.
On national unity Manna said, “I agree to make unity with BNP. But I have some conditions that include to make sure the independence of judiciary and violence can’t be politicized.
BNP joint secretary general Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal, Adarsha Nagorik Andolan chairman Abdullahil Masud, NDP acting secretary general M Manzur Hossain Isha, among others were present.
