‘Centralisation of power ominous sign for democracy’

Pointing to the present governance system, former finance secretary and adviser to the caretaker government Akbar Ali Khan yesterday said it is necessary to nurture democracy in the country.

"Centralisation of power is an ominous sign for democracy. A country where the people can keep the government under control is a democracy," he said.

Whether or not voting takes place, a country whose government is not under the control of the people cannot arrange a real election. "And from this point of view, we need to nurture democracy in our country," he added.

Secularism is not possible without democracy, and economic progress is not possible without a democratic governance system.

— Akbar Ali Khan

Akbar Ali Khan made the remarks while addressing a programme marking the second death anniversary of Prof Emajuddin Ahmed, former vice chancellor of Dhaka University, at Jatiya Press Club.

He also said secularism is not possible without democracy, and economic progress is not possible without a democratic governance system.

Reminiscing his memories of Prof Emajuddin, he said the late professor's ethical values were high, and he did not compromise his principles. He was not only a genius teacher but also a great political analyst.

Speaking at the programme, Prof Abdul Latif Masum of Jahangirnagar University said, "Prof Emajuddin fought till the end to ensure democracy, and he wasn't just a traditional intellectual…He had played the role of a guardian during every national crisis."

Emajuddin, a renowned political scientist, started his career as a teacher in Rajshahi College. Upon completing higher studies from abroad, he joined the DU's political science department in 1970.

He served as the 21st DU vice chancellor, from 1992-1996. He was awarded the Ekushey Padak in 1992 in the education category.

He was born on December 15, 1933 and breathed his last on July 17, 2020.