Democracy at stake
They said the politicians are now busy in grasping power by any means and for this reason they have politicised all government and semi-government institutions undermining their credibility.
They also stressed the need for upholding the spirit of the liberation war for safeguarding the nation and overcoming the present political stalemate.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. The roundtable on 'Ethics in politics and people's security' was organised by Swadhinata O Nagarik Adhikar Forum at the National Press Club in the city.
Political leaders, civil society members, retired army officers and university teachers took part in the roundtable.
Justice Muhammad Golam Robbani said anarchy grabs the nation due to conflict among the political parties especially the big two alliances.
"The whole country has been polarised into two blocks and people are very much concerned about the future of the nation," he said.
Former president of Dhaka University Teachers' Association AAMS Arefin Siddique said the credibility of every institution including the Election Commission and the Supreme Court has been eroded during the tenure of BNP-Jamaat alliance pushing the democracy into a stake.
Former vice-chancellor of Dhaka University AK Azad Chowdhury said the President had violated the constitution at every step since he assumed the post of chief adviser to the caretaker government.
Former legislator Major (Retd) Akhtaruzzaman suggested sacking of all election commissioners, secretaries and other top officials of the Election Commission for holding a free and fair election.
"Constitution has been framed for people and it can be changed for safeguarding the democracy," he said, adding that political parties should avoid arguments in the name of the constitution.
Poet Abu Bakar Siddique presented a keynote paper at the roundtable.
Dr Jafarullah Chowdhury, Barrister Sadia Arman and singer Namita Ghosh also took part in the discussion.
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