Space For Rent
Wednesday, March 9, 2016, Falgun 26, 1422 BS, Jamadiul Awwal 28, 1437 Hijri


Enforced road jam: Stop going too far
Published :Wednesday, 9 March, 2016,  Time : 12:00 AM  View Count : 16

Monday was one of the worst days in the capital Dhaka on account of a meeting by ruling Awami League, on the occasion of historic 7 March when in 1971 Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman heralded unannounced independence of Bangladesh. On that day whole of former East Pakistan united under the leadership of Bangabandhu and took a vow to convert East Pakistan to Bangladesh at all costs, that they proved by laying down three million lives and having an independent homeland for the Bengalis. Awami League of Bangabandhu led the independence movement and a nine-month war against Pakistani occupation army. The coveted jewel was won, at a very high price though.
That Awami League is now in power in Bangladesh, led by Bangabandhu's daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. But the behaviour of many Awami front organizations appears incompatible with the principles and policies of the government. On Monday they displayed another shocking performance on the roads of Dhaka by forcibly occupying public transport even by throwing the passengers out and seizing ambulances and other public or private vehicles across the city for going to the meeting venue. Such attitudes are obnoxious, poorly meted out and widely criticized by the sufferers and the ordinary citizens.
Awami League and its President Sheikh Hasina have been very popular among the people of Bangladesh and they appreciate the role of both in trying to improve quality of life and standard of living in the country. Sheikh Hasina has been globally accepted as one of the best statesmen and praised for her firm activities to improve the poor nation's lot. By far her success rate is amazing and we have no doubt that she will reach her goals. But should she allow her party and its various units to constrain people's free movement and cut emergency services causing serious road jam just to fulfil their dream to attend a party meeting? It is unacceptable and taken as a notorious act to undermine the people, the voters. The Prime Minister should immediately advise her party men and followers not to shit on people's freedom and choices in the name of party activities, and stop behaving rudely at public places and take people forcibly off the public transport. Such behaviour ultimately tells upon the government's reputation and also the PM's personal image.
There are some ministers who also encourage their supporters, especially in the Chhatra League, Jubo League, Kirshak League etc to cross their limit and go extra miles to show how loyal they are to Sheikh Hasina and how deeply they are willing to highlight Bangabandhu's March 7 speech at the Suhrawardy Udyan (the former Race Course Maidan). These vested interest 'loyals' do more harm to the party, government and top leaders than doing any good. Monday's Dhaka meeting was a sheer reflection of excesses done against the interest of the public - who are the ultimate holder of the power. Therefore, the PM and concerned leaders, please hold on your errant and trouble making followers and take stern action if they defy your orders. Bangladesh has a strong possibility of growing as a fully democratic, progressive and prosperous nation. But the selfish, irresponsible, arrogant and abusive behaviour of the party units or their activists may defuse the chances for all time to come. Stop such a damaging tide and stop your boys from going too far!









Editor : Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury
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