UNB, Dhaka :
Observing that the country’s politics is no longer on the right track, eminent jurist Dr Kamal Hossain on Wednesday said it has now turned into a profession where politicians use it to make quick bucks.
“In the past, politics meant dedication of life for realising people’ s rights. Accumulating wealth and securing children’s future were not part of politics then. Now, politics has turned into an abuse of power,” he said.
Dr Kamal, also president of Ganoforum, was addressing a discussion on
‘Judge Impeachment-Justice-Good Governance’ organised by Good Governance Forum at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh in the city.
The prominent jurist also observed that section 70 of the Constitution has destroyed Parliament, and slammed the 16th amendment to the Constitution as it was done hurriedly without any consultation. “Why has the 16th amendment done in a supersonic speed?” Criticising the trend of today’s student politics, he said, “When we had been engaged in student politics, we had no idea about extortion or tender manipulation. But today’s student leaders get involved in tender manipulation brandishing firearms openly. Things are the same whether it is Chhatra League or Chhatra Dal.”
Referring to the country’s two major political parties, Dr Kamal said after grabbing the constitutional power, they do what they oppose while in the opposition bench.
He also described the politicians, including himself, as hypocrites, saying: “We shout louder when out of power but do the opposite when in government. Actually, we all are introducing ourselves as hypocrites; even I’m not out of it.”
Nagarik Oikya convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna, Centre for Development Research Chairman Dr Mizanur Rahman Shelley, Justice Sikder Makbul Haque, Dhaka University teacher Sukomal Barua and human rights activist Sigma Huda also spoke at the programme.
