University teachers
On 29 January 2008, I was stunned and dismayed to go through the media reports that the DU teachers, soon after their release, issued political statements asking the govt to immediately withdraw the state of emergency and declare specific date of general elections. They directed the CTG to hold immediate dialogue with the political parties. They also demanded release of the two former prime ministers including the detained student leaders. Seems they have not learnt any lesson from their past mistakes. The whole nation sympathised with them for their arrests and subsequent sufferings simply on the consideration that they are the honourable and learned teachers of the highest educational centres and held at the highest esteem by all and sundry.
I suppose as respectable teachers their only job is to enlighten our children with knowledge and education, besides guiding them in building their character by setting examples. These students one day will lead the nation. But if they themselves indulge in politics then what would happen to this nation? Have they ever tried to read the pulse of the common people? Moreover, is it the right time to hold the elections? Whom to elect at this stage-- those thugs and looters? What's the hurry? No one wants an election at this stage and go back to those dreadful days prior to 1/11. It's a long way before we can have a credible and meaningful election. I think out of sheer motivation they made those political statements without caring for the desire and expectation of the people in general.
The CTG has a lot to do in this respect and they are preparing for the same step by step. We must cooperate and assist them in presenting the nation with an effective government. The CTG has a duty to ensure that the nation does not go back to those days of muscle power and lawlessness. Each and every institution has been destroyed by these so-called politicians. The CTG has to hand over power to safe hands and prior to the election the following has to be ensured besides many other actions:-
a) Completion of voter list and arrangement of transparent ballot boxes. b) Norms have to be made mandatory with punishment for the violators. c) Either hartal has to be banned by law or no one will be coerced/intimidated by the political goons/vandals to forcibly observe hartal. d) Judiciary has to be 100% independent, rule of law must be established for each and every citizen of the country and no one including the president of the country must be above the law. e) Introduction of strict and genuine qualification bar for all elected/selected public representatives including the members of union councils. We don't want to be ruled by thugs and illiterates. f) For the sake of social justice, the police has to be made accountable to the people. h) Future elected governments must be answerable to the nation and their power should be redefined. There must be transparency on their exercise of powers. i) Politics should be banned in all educational institutes like that of the neighbouring country.
How could they demand release of the two former PMs when they are already under trial and custody? Don't they want the rule of law to be established in our country?
No one wants their release without trial, except the motivated ones who want to take us back to those horrifying days of logi/ baitha.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments