We are deeply disappointed by the comments made by the communications adviser MA Matin who, while addressing the victims of cyclone Sidr in Barguna, warned that there would be serious consequences for those who voice protests about inadequate cyclone aid reaching their areas. 'Anybody attempting to capitalise on the distress of the people for political gain will be seriously dealt with,' he is reported to have said according to Saturday's New Age. 'The government has sufficient stocks of relief materials and intends to aid cyclone victims in every manner,' he added. That one of the most influential advisers within the military-driven interim government has warned people that they cannot voice their grievances even as they approach starvation or death, having survived one of the worst natural disasters in Bangladesh's history, is indeed revealing. It is our opinion that this is a clear reminder that the government has reached the point where it will not hesitate to violate people's right to life in order to protect the state of emergency that has become its lifeline. The language and the content of the adviser's remarks reveal the dictatorial nature of the government he represents and its indifference to the common people's plight in these difficult times.
It is increasingly apparent that relief has not yet reached large swathes of the cyclone hit areas, and the adviser's remarks come in the wake of peaceful processions by common people in Barguna, who were demanding that the government reach out to them. It is shameful that these people — the sovereign people — are now becoming subjects of heavy-handed government threats for protesting the local administration's indifference to their plight. The adviser has remarked that he does not want 'the distress of the people' politicised. Are his threats in order to silence the voice of the cyclone affected people an apolitical act? Are his comments not heavily tarnished by an insidious and repressive political intent? The very fact that the government has responded to these demands with threats is a clear indication of the chasm that separates the incumbents from the common people, and underlines the importance of having a politically elected government in power. No elected representative would have even dared to issue such a threat to the millions who have lost their every possession and many loved ones to a devastating natural disaster two weeks ago. The dictatorial and paternalistic attitude towards governance reflected in the communications adviser's remark exposes the true nature of the state of emergency that we are living under. Yet what country needs is respite from a state of emergency that violates the people's right to hold their government accountable for its actions and also respite from those who are perpetuating this repressive state of emergency with the shallow promise of democracy. Therefore, we urge the military-driven government to be sensitive to the urgent needs of the cyclone affected people instead of threatening them with consequences on the one hand and to lift this state of emergency and to reinstate people's fundamental rights on the other.
It is increasingly apparent that relief has not yet reached large swathes of the cyclone hit areas, and the adviser's remarks come in the wake of peaceful processions by common people in Barguna, who were demanding that the government reach out to them. It is shameful that these people — the sovereign people — are now becoming subjects of heavy-handed government threats for protesting the local administration's indifference to their plight. The adviser has remarked that he does not want 'the distress of the people' politicised. Are his threats in order to silence the voice of the cyclone affected people an apolitical act? Are his comments not heavily tarnished by an insidious and repressive political intent? The very fact that the government has responded to these demands with threats is a clear indication of the chasm that separates the incumbents from the common people, and underlines the importance of having a politically elected government in power. No elected representative would have even dared to issue such a threat to the millions who have lost their every possession and many loved ones to a devastating natural disaster two weeks ago. The dictatorial and paternalistic attitude towards governance reflected in the communications adviser's remark exposes the true nature of the state of emergency that we are living under. Yet what country needs is respite from a state of emergency that violates the people's right to hold their government accountable for its actions and also respite from those who are perpetuating this repressive state of emergency with the shallow promise of democracy. Therefore, we urge the military-driven government to be sensitive to the urgent needs of the cyclone affected people instead of threatening them with consequences on the one hand and to lift this state of emergency and to reinstate people's fundamental rights on the other.
Is this CTG is better than Ershad in case of political party reform and anti corruption drive ?
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Sobhan Allah- Only Allah flawless
Alhamdulillah - All praise to be of Allah
Allah hu Akbar - Allah, the Greatest
Alhamdulillah - All praise to be of Allah
Allah hu Akbar - Allah, the Greatest
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Would Be Mahathir of BD
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