EDITORIAL
Don't even entertain the idea
It's oppressive and fascistic
HOME minister MK Alamgir and LGRD minister and AL secretary general Syed Ashraf may have differed in their wording but there is no mistaking what they meant. MK Alamgir ruled out 'meeting or demonstration for indefinite period in Dhaka to avert anarchy'. Syed Ashraf spoke of 'a ban on political rallies across the country for a month.' Reason: 'smooth' conduct of relief operation in the cyclone-affected areas. This is a ridiculous ruse.
The impressions gathered from the home ministry, however, late in the evening including a press release that claimed it was 'not a ban, but rather a precautionary measure only' compounded the confusion over the matter.
In fact, the move is as superfluous as it is untenable. That is simply because there have been cyclones and floods, more calamitous than Mahasen beforehand; yet, these were not accompanied by prohibitory clamp-down on political activity.
There is no emergency in the country, nor the cyclone-affected districts have been declared a disaster zone. Why then the arbitrary, draconian move to corner the opposition even more?
Two sets of constitutional rights are being trampled here: First, it impinges on the rights of the people to participate in democratic activity; and secondly, it curtails the freedom of political parties to organise rallies and build public opinion in their favour.
All things considered, the government should issue a clarification stating that it is unambiguously wedded to freedom, constitutionalism and democracy and the public needn't have any misgiving over the issue.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments