Protests are part of democracy

Information Minister Hasan Mahmud yesterday said protests are a part of democracy, referring to the demonstrations surrounding the Dhaka University Central Students' Union (Ducsu) polls.

Contestants who protested alleged irregularities at the elections got the maximum votes in their respective hall unions, which proved that the election was fair, he said at the inaugural ceremony of Insurance Fair-2018 on MA Aziz Stadium Gymnasium field in Kazir Dewri area of Chattogram city.

“There were some irregularities during the polls, which the university authorities admitted and took immediate measures to rectify. Even then, some parties are consistently trying to create controversy about the election,” he said.

BNP was trying to “fish in muddy water” around the issue, but “failed naturally,” the minister remarked.

“Left-leaning parties also tried to drive away Chhatra League. But right- and left-leaning parties together could not defeat Chhatra League,” the minister said.

On another note, Hasan Mahmud said BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia is in jail as per the order of the court. “She is not a state prisoner. She can only be freed through legal fight; there is no other way,” he added.

About the insurance fair, Hasan said the whole insurance sector might suffer due to the dishonesty of a few organisations.

“Public harassment caused by a few creates distrust. If this doubt is removed, the sector will obviously flourish,” he said, adding, the government was working to transform the country into a welfare state.

He also urged to bring labourers into the purview of insurance, so that they do not have to be at the mercy of their employers.

Ashadul Islam, secretary of financial institutions at the finance ministry; Selina Afroz, chairman of Jiban Bima Corporation; and Md Abdul Mannan, Chattogram divisional commissioner, were present among others. Md Shafiqur Rahman Patwary, chairman of Insurance Development & Regulatory Authority Bangladesh, presided over the programme.