Political freedom sought

Accusing Bangladesh's political parties of failing to nurture the Liberation War's spirit, speakers at a convention in the capital yesterday called for “introducing political freedom” to build the country based on the spirit.

“Even 44 years past the victory in the Liberation War, we have not been liberated,” said Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD-Rob) President ASM Abdur Rob.

Political parties talk about the development of the state, human rights and secularism but “they could not ensure employment for people”, he added. Criticising the government, he said, “We can not accept the victory which was achieved robbing people's right to vote.”

Mukta Rajnoitik Andolon, a platform stating to be based on Serajul Alam Khan's ideologies, organised its “First Central Representative Convention” at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh.

Gonoshasthaya Kendra founder Zafrullah Chowdhury said the state failed to ensure low cost treatment for people. “If the government was pro-people, price of medicine would have been cheaper,” he said.

He also criticised the government for providing transit facilities, saying India was “trying to expand its domination over Bangladesh in the name of helping Tripura”.

The platform President Sarup Hasan Shaheen said Bangladesh was waiting for a new form of politics based on political and social needs, and was being run with laws of the British colonial period which was giving birth to “bad politics”.