At a joining ceremony of about 100 professionals from the Dhaka Municipal wards No 56 and 52, he also demanded of the government to punish those who harbour petty criminals.

Dr Kamal, also president of Gono Forum, said a section of people is diverting the young generation from their regular path using black money. He said the general public now want to get rid of crime and live in peace.

"The vital institutions of the state are on the verge of destruction due to nasty politicisation of the successive ruling parties," he added.

Regarding the scenario of the country's educational institutions, he said students at the public universities are held hostages to a few criminals. "The government is wasting a lot of money in non-productive sectors, while the educational institutions are suffering from financial crisis."

He urged all political parties to unite to root out crime from the public universities.

The Gono Forum president went on to say that the people are desperately waiting for a positive change in governance. He urged the professionals to unite to establish a true democratic society.

Chaired by Syedur Rahman Syed, convenor of Jatiya Oikya Mancha Dhaka city unit, the meeting was also addressed by Abdur Rouf, Mostofa Mohsin Montu and Mafizul Islam Kamal.