Honouring sentinels of freedom of thought

We are humbled and elated that The Daily Star could honour 12 luminaries of the country who we describe as "Sentinels of Freedom of Thought." From pre-independence days and throughout Bangladesh's 50 years, these individuals have steadfastly championed the principle of freedom of thought and expression. They have courageously and consistently stood up against political oppression, injustice, discrimination, and inequality. In the present context, where the space for freedom of thought and expression is being constricted more and more, it is befitting to recognise and appreciate these extraordinary human beings whose lives are examples for younger generations to follow.

The individuals honoured are jurist Dr Kamal Hossain, Prof Serajul Islam Choudhury, artist Rafiqun Nabi, Prof Abdullah Abu Sayeed, Prof Rehman Sobhan, writer and researcher Jatin Sarkar, writer and political activist Badruddin Umar, language veteran Ahmed Rafiq, human rights activist Hameeda Hossain, artist Mustafa Monowar, educationist Sharifa Khatun and women rights champion Noorjahan Bose. Each of these individuals stand for freedom of thought.

While freedom of thought is an inalienable right guaranteed by our constitution and considered the fundamental factor that differentiates us humans from all other living beings, it is a right that cannot be taken for granted. As we have seen globally, as well as in our country, this right must be nurtured through many layers of society. We have made impressive inroads in developing physical infrastructure for our economic growth but we ask, where is the infrastructure to develop freedom of thought? Where is the investment in rescuing the ailing education system which forms the bedrock of progress for a civilisation? Instead, we see repressive laws being used by the government and those affiliated with the ruling quarters to crack down on anyone who dares to have or share views that differ from the powers that be. Other forms of intimidation tactics are also being used to push society further and further towards complete intellectual bankruptcy.

We need better skilled, better paid teachers, modern curricula, universal access to ICT skills, and resources and infrastructure required to bring education up to a standard that is suitable for the present world. But underlying all this there has to be an unwavering commitment and respect for scholarship, critical thought and intellectual advancement. We must place our teachers, thinkers and scholars at the top of the social hierarchy for they are the ones who can guide us through, who can inspire us to think innovatively and who can show by example a dedication to make positive changes in society.

In order for this to happen, we believe the most basic prerequisite is freedom of thought. As a paper that has been deeply committed to independent journalism, we believe that it is time for us to retrieve this unassailable right, one that has been the primary driving force in all our social and political movements – whether it was our movement for our mother tongue or our freedom from repression and discrimination from colonial, fascistic or autocratic rule. To do this we must all work together, regardless of our political affiliations, to uphold, protect, honour, nurture and celebrate freedom of thought and consider it the "oxygen" that is essential for us to breathe.