42 years of independence
Even though the country has made achievements in different socio-economic sectors, the aspirations of the people to ensure fundamental rights have not yet been fulfilled even after 42 years of independence, leading jurists, right activist and members of the civil society said. Talking to The Independent, they expressed serious concern over the prevailing violent incidents and urged the two major political parties to resolve the political impasse through talks. They also called upon the people to raise voice to establish their fundamental and voting rights.
Eminent jurist Barrister Rafique-ul Huq said the country is yet to achieve economic independence and added that the country is making slow progress to this end for which many sacrificed their lives 42 years ago.
Expressing dismay over the killing of people across the country, he said that no political leaders were killed and only innocent lives were lost during the violence. The country is witnessing an autocratic democracy. This should be stopped, he added.
Referring to the present crisis, he said if the violence does not come to an end soon, the country’s economic loss would be enormous.
Hysterical eccentricities over the 10th parliamentary election should be stopped for the greater interest of the country’s democracy, he said.
The present poll result would not be acceptable as its result has been declared before the election is held and as the majority people could not exercise their voting rights. “This is not an election result rather it is a selection result and the selection is not acceptable,” he noted. “If a free, fair and participatory election is not held, the country’s stability will be seriously affected,” he noted.
Referring to Ershad’s arrest, he said, “The RAB has taken Ershad to the hospital forcibly. Had he been ill, he would have gone to the hospital by himself.”
“If the political leaders fail to reach a consensus on holding the general election, there will be more violence and things might spin out of control,” he said. He urged the political parties to reach a consensus on holding a free, fair and participatory election to bring back stability across the country.
Eminent jurist Barrister Shahdin Malik told The Independent that Bangladesh has experienced more success than failure over the past 42 years. However, an unprecedented political chaos has engulfed the country over the past few weeks.
“If this continues for few weeks more, this will land us in the dark ages,” he added. Malik blamed the political parties for the current chaos.
Referring to the previous one-sided election, Malik said the result of one-sided election would not last longer. To overcome the present crisis, he suggested holding a free, fair and participatory election.
Executive director of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Dr Iftekharuzzaman said people are facing serious uncertainties as the two major parties refuse to budge from their respective stand. “Questions have been raised whether people will have their social, educational and political rights as the hostility between the two parties reached its peak since the independence,” he said.
“We have failed seriously in establishing democracy and ensuring the fundamental and voting rights of the people,” he observed.
Referring to the ongoing anarchy, the TIB executive said, “The violence will be an integral part of political culture if people’s security is not ensured in the country.” He also expressed doubts over the role of the Election Commission (EC). “Under the present circumstances, the EC could have suspended the poll schedule or set an example by tendering their resignation,” he observed.
Iftekharuzzaman, however, said there is still time for the two political parties to reach a consensus through talks.
General secretary of Sushasoner Jonno Nagorik (Sujan) Badiul Alam Majumder said the dreams of those who sacrificed their lives for the independence could not be achieved yet.
“Freedom fighters sacrificed their lives to free the nation, but we have established an autocratic rule in the name of democracy,” he said.
Referring to the present election, he said it was a farcical poll in the name of election. “The election has been turned into selection,” he said.
He said, “The independence would be meaningless if we fail to establish democracy, secularism and gain equality and unity.” The people would have to raise their voice to attain their civil rights, he added.
-With The Independent input
