First-time voters seek job guarantee
The new generation of voters yesterday demanded that they be guaranteed jobs and safety in daily life by the government which would be formed through the upcoming parliamentary election on December 30.
“We want safe road. We want safety in our daily life. We want jobs after the completion of our study,” said a private university student.
He cited an instance a few days ago when a bus he boarded at Farmgate while on way to give an exam at his educational institution in Mohakhali was attacked and set ablaze. He managed to survive but with receive severe injuries.
“We do not want such a situation anymore,” said the student at the launching of #IamBangladesh at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh in Dhaka.
Nahid Sarker, another new voter, also sought a stop to violence on the streets as many people such as car owners and students face a lot of trouble for such activities. In every incident a lot of cars are damaged on the streets, he said.
Atiqul Islam, a mayoral aspirant of Dhaka North City Corporation, launched the campaign, mainly to encourage the young generation to build a better Bangladesh.
Businesspeople, trade body leaders, film actors, sports personalities, physicians, lawyers and young entrepreneurs attended the launching where they also demanded a green and clean Dhaka for a better life for the people.
A young barrister, Arunav Das Shuvro, questioned whether the digital security act— which was passed in parliament in September amidst concerns among journalists, owners of media houses and rights activists over some of its sections—would continue to exist. Mohammad Arif, another student, alleged that people could not go to polling centres during the general election of January 5 in 2014.
People could neither exercise their voting rights in the mayoral election of Gazipur City Corporation, he said, asking whether a similar situation would recur in the upcoming general election in December 30.
Replying to Arif's question, another young barrister, Tawfique Rahman, said in this digital era people have smartphones in their hands.
“So this time nobody can stop the people from exercising their voting rights. The musclemen cannot create bar entrance to polling centres on the election day. If we are barred from exercising voting rights, we will prevent it,” he said. Ayesha Khatun, a lawyer, demanded a stop to harassment of people of minority communities who are also citizens of the country.
“We want a positive Bangladesh,” said Ferdous Ahmed, a film actor. “Vote is your power,” he said. He suggested young people to shed all fears and go to polling centres early in the morning to cast votes.
Shakib Al Hasan, a national cricketer, advised young people to open businesses and provide jobs to the unemployed rather than going out in search of jobs themselves.
Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin, president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry, said people rejected the old practice of burning cars on the streets.
“We have learnt traffic laws from the street protest of students taking place a few days ago,” he said.
“We are also fighting and raising our voice to exercise our voting rights,” said Mohiuddin. He advised students to acquire quality education and gather knowledge in business after graduation.
Ferhat Anwar, director of the Institute of Business Administration of the University of Dhaka, said this time the future of Bangladesh is in the hands of young people.
“Now you decide what you will do and what you will not do. By 2041, the young generation of today will be the leaders of the country so your decision is very important,” Anwar said. Nihad Kabir, president of the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, reminded that it was the month of victory.
“We are in favour of peace. We fought in 1952, demonstration in the 60s, fought in 1971 and restored democracy. If you stay at home, you will not get peace, you will have to be on the streets and continue efforts to get peace,” Kabir said.
“If we continue our hard work, peace will be restored in Bangladesh,” she said, adding that the election this year would be held peacefully after five years as per rules of the country.
Abul Kasem Khan, president of the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said everyone should truly love the country.
“If we can love the country, we can do a lot of things for the country. Our first priority should be to love the country. You will cast your own vote. Casting votes is your own right,” Khan said.