Govt activities ‘anti-democratic’

Gonoshasthaya Kendra founder Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury yesterday alleged that the current government has established "one-party" rule in the country by "snatching" people's democratic rights.

"All the activities of this government are anti-democratic. As per our constitution, I've the right to speak up and enjoy the freedom of association. But I'm not allowed to do that," he said.

Speaking at a sit-in programme, Zafrullah said, "There's no democracy now. Baksal has been established in the country with a different name. It can't go on."

Rajnoitik Daler Nibandhan Paddhati Batiler Dabi Parishad arranged the programme in front of Jatiya Press Club, demanding cancellation of all "black laws", including section 90 added to the RPO, and the reconstitution of the Election Commission. Dr Zafrullah said it is the government's wrong policy to gag people's voice and create obstacles to people's right to expression.

"Making death penalty as punishment for rape by amending the law is a wrong step. This provision of hanging couldn't bring change anywhere in the world," he observed. 

Referring to media reports, the freedom fighter said the heinous crime like rape did not fall even after the introduction of death sentence as punishment for rapists.

"Rather it's increased. Now the situation is becoming so worse that children at schools and madrasas are increasingly getting raped," he said.