Star Diary

Photo: Focus Bangla

A Nightmare

I feel very uncertain about my future in this country. It seems like if I have to live here I have to change my name to a more Muslim sounding name. I am a Hindu, and I am scared of the way minority groups are being treated in this country. The situation reminds one of the tortures inflicted on Hindus during the Liberation War. The only difference is that today's 'rajakars' don't serve Pakistani forces. However the 'rajakars' of this era target minority groups just as freely and openly as those in the past did. They destroyed houses of Hindu families only because people went to cast their votes. This is a sovereign nation. Every citizen has the right to cast their vote in this country. If freedom gives people the right to “maintain one's own responsibility and enjoy one's rights,” the minority groups of the country are definitely far from enjoying this freedom.
Bivek
Via Email

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Save Education

I am a class seven student of a reputed school in Dhaka. It saddens me to see how the ongoing political unrest is affecting the education system of the country. The mid-year examinations of many English medium schools were cancelled this year due to the ongoing political turmoil. On an even larger scale, the dates for the O and A level exams were rescheduled and the candidates had to give their exams in the middle of the night. The unrest has led to a level of uncertainty in the minds of students who are not being able to prepare thoroughly for their exams, which is reflected in their exam papers. The authorities at British Council have implied that the examination might be held in other countries for students of Bangladesh if the situation didn't improve. Not many students have the money to afford going abroad to sit for their exams. Thus, as a student, all I can do is urge the two parties to please put an end to this harmful politics. Save the students as well as the nation from a bleak future.
Shafkat Wahid
Scholastica , Dhaka