No room for autocracy in Bangladesh: Dr Kamal

Stating that there is no room for autocracy in independent Bangladesh, Jatiya Oikyafront convener Dr Kamal Hossain yesterday said people must take risks to protect democracy.

Speaking at a discussion, he also said creating obstacles to holding a fair and credible election is tantamount to disgracing martyrs of the Liberation War.

“Bangabandhu had sought democracy, but there’s no democracy in our country  now as we accepted autocracy instead of independence. Sometimes, risk needs to be taken for protecting democracy, and we’ve to take that risk this time,” Dr Kamal said.

Gonoforum arranged the programme at Jatiya Press Club, marking Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s Homecoming Day.

Dr Kamal, also the president of Gonoforum, said he was “very fortunate to have got the chance to work as an activist of a great leader like Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman”.

“As long as Bangladesh remains, people of the country will remember him and respect him. He liberated the country and made people its owners. It’s written in the constitution signed by him that people are country’s owners. We achieved the independence as we got an outstanding leader like Bangabandhu,” he observed.

Mentioning that Bangabandhu never compromised with injustice and unfairness, the Oikyafront chief said,  “We must put up a resistance against unfairness. There’s no scope for autocracy in Bangladesh.”

Dr Kamal said Father of the Nation Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had given the guidelines through the constitution so people can enjoy their basic rights.

He said the constitution signed by Bangabandhu should be shown to students of every school and college. “Depriving people of democracy and their basic and voting rights means defying  the instructions of Bangabandhu and disgracing him. “

The Gonoforum president urged all not to defy Bangabandhu.

Recalling Bangabandhu’s homecoming event, he said Bangabandhu was honoured as the head of the state at the London airport on his way back home from Pakistan’s prison along with him.  “British police gave Bangabandhu salute and said ‘we prayed for you’.”

He said many programmes are being held to pay homage to Bangabandhu on the occasion of his homecoming day. “The way to show respect to Bangabandhu is to completely obey his instructions. “

Dr Kamal urged the country’s people to get united so that they can enjoy their basic and constitutional rights.