Shafiqur calls for political culture that welcomes dissent

Shafiqur Rahman, leader of the opposition in parliament and ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, has said the July mass uprising took place to ensure freedom of expression and called for building a new political culture that welcomes dissenting views.

He made the call in a post on his verified Facebook page yesterday.

“During the 17 years of fascism, both the current ruling party and we were subjected to repression in terms of freedom of expression. We do not want to return to that dark period,” he wrote.

Saying “media freedom is the first condition of a healthy democracy”, the Jamaat ameer wrote, “Instead of suppressing dissent, welcoming it should define the new political culture.”

On the same day, ahead of International Mother Language Day, the Jamaat ameer said in a statement sent to the media, “February 21 is now recognised as International Mother Language Day. It symbolises global respect and recognition for the language martyrs.”

He said to establish Bangla in its rightful status, its use must be ensured at all levels of state and social life.