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Download PDF Friday’s demonstrations by some Islamist groups centring the publication of a cartoon in the daily Prothom Alo’s weekly satire magazine Aalpin defied the state of emergency, said speakers at the BBC Bangladesh Sanglap yesterday.
They urged the government to take stern action against the lawbreakers.
“The state of emergency rule was violated and the government should take stern action against those who violated the rules,” said Maj Gen (retd) Ghulam Quader, former director general of Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS).
He said there might have been political interest behind Friday’s protest. “Now it is the duty of the government to find out if any vested quarter spread the tension,” said Quader.
BBC World Service Trust in conjunction with the BBC Bangla Service organised the dialogue held at Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre and moderated by Kamal Ahmed of BBC Bangla Service.
Former law and parliamentary affairs minister and Awami League (AL) leader advocate Abdul Matin Khasru, daily Shamokal Editor Abed Khan, Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General and Supreme Court lawyer barrister Abdur Razzak participated in the discussion, among others.
The speakers urged the caretaker government to lift the state of emergency and the ban on politics completely.
On publication of the cartoon, Abdur Razzak said the Prothom Alo definitely made a mistake but as they apologised, the matter should have ended there. “Everything has a limit but the protest after the apology crossed that limit. It is a clear violation of law as well as the emergency rule,” he said.
Ghulam Quader said the religious clerics have already forgiven the Prothom Alo authorities after they apologised. He warned that it will be tantamount to creating tension if further incidents take place centring the issue.
The former army official also observed that there have been propagandas in western countries that Bangladesh is becoming a “second Afghanistan” and Friday’s protest gives a signal that the speculation is going to be true.
Abed Khan said, “I hope the government will immediately take stern action against the lawbreakers.” The law should take its own course and be equal to all, he said, adding that the government should not adopt a dual policy in this regard.
Replying to a query he said, “Definitely [political] benefit has been reaped centring the issue. Any conspiracy centring the cartoon issue must be stopped and resisted.”
Abdul Matin Khasru said, “Bringing out processions over the issue was not right and the government should take action.” He expressed his hope that the present government will work neutrally.
Responding to a query Khasru said, “If possible, the state of emergency must be withdrawn today and politics has to be opened as early as possible.” The people must be involved with the present caretaker government’s move to create a democratic environment in the country and ban on politics must go to involve people, he added.
Quader said the government should make public their roadmap to election so that people can understand its plans.
Abed Khan said the state of emergency should be lifted immediately for the sake of democracy and holding the next election. There is no such circumstance in the country at present for which the emergency would have to be prolonged, he observed.
Replying to a question about some political parties’ demand to prohibit Jamaat-e-Islami from contesting the next election, Quader said the Election Commission will decide on the matter. Jamaat has about 55 lakh workers and if the party is banned, they would go underground which will bring no positive consequence for the country.
Khasru said democratically everyone has the right to be involved in politics. But as Jamaat resorted to killing, looting and other heinous crimes during the country’s Liberation War, they should seek apology, he said, adding that if voted to power the AL would bring the war criminals to justice.
Razzak, however, said a complete probe should be carried out over the war crimes. “If anyone is found involved with the crimes after an investigation without any political motive, they should be brought to justice,” said the Jamaat leader.
Referring to the US deputy assistant secretary of state for South Asian affairs’ call to the caretaker government to withdraw the ban on politics completely, Razzak said no friendly country should interfere with the internal politics of the country. The country’s politics should be controlled by the country itself and for this reason national unity is needed, Razzak observed.
September 23rd, 2007 at 1:46 pm
It is indeed necessary to teach religious tolerance in all muslim Institutions.Islam always propagated peace & tolerence.OUR HOLY Prophet
forgave many for their misdeed. Even many Muslims
used to call His name in disrespectfully & then
ALMIGHTY ALLAH ordered all to rcall him in a respectful manner.
On the procession issue, calling for stren action by Govt will fuel more trouble as it has done to Pakistan’s Pervez Mosarraf.
Some tricky minded politicians are seeking the opportunity to bring collapse of this Government by their cunning device.
Caretaker must give a deaf ear to such cunning advice.
Bangladesh is a true Muslim Country & obey
Islamic guidance by curtailing extremism & dishonesty in every aspect of social, political & economical fields!
Caretaker Govt be watchful of the trickers! They are their only to gain their own ends & not for the Country!