Journalist, researcher, column writer and documentary film maker
Just four days before World Press Freedom Day on May 3rd, on April 29th, what happened at three television channels in Bangladesh raised serious questions not only about the statements of the interim government's Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus and the former Information and Broadcasting Adviser Nahid Islam but also about journalists' freedom to ask questions, their authority, and the boundaries of that freedom.
An unusual piece of news caught my attention. In an effort to prevent clashes among students of Dhaka College, City College, and Ideal College—located in the New Market, Science Laboratory, and Central Road areas of the capital—a "mutual understanding agreement" is set to be signed. Following discussions among the principals of these three colleges on April 23, law enforcement officials suggested that if these three institutions, along with two other colleges in the Dhanmondi area, entered into such an agreement, it could help avoid future conflicts.
Following the fall of the Awami League government on August 5 under the pressure of a mass uprising, an interim government was formed on August 8 under the leadership of Dr. Muhammad Yunus. The BNP (Bangladesh Nationalist Party) is considered a significant stakeholder in this government, as it was one of the political parties consulted during its formation. Moreover, with the ousting of the Awami League, the BNP has emerged as the country's most influential political force. Yet, despite its position, the BNP's relationship with the interim government has increasingly grown distant—particularly over the issue of the roadmap and timing of the national election. This tension became starkly visible on Wednesday, April 16, when the BNP Secretary General, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, made a strongly worded statement during a meeting with the Chief Adviser of the interim government.
“When people on the street say you should stay for another five years”—this remark by Home Affairs Advisor Lieutenant General (Retd.) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury closely resembles a Facebook status posted by Sarjis Alam, the Northern Regional Chief Coordinator of the National Citizen Party (NCP).
Four youths arrested on charges of gang rape of teenager in Bandarban; rape accused snatched from police in capital's Khilkhet beaten up; mob beat up man, handed him over to police on charges of raping a child in Nawabganj; female journo gang raped overnight while being held in an under-construction building in capital's Pallabi; housewife allegedly raped, videotaped by miscreants in Narsingdi, etc. These are some of the recent news headlines. If you search online, you will find much more news of such incidents that happened in March.
Even after 54 years of independence, the debate over who declared Bangladesh’s independence in 1971 remains unresolved. The inability to reach a political consensus on such a nationally significant issue raises serious questions about political failure. Avoiding this question is not an option, as it remains a matter of national importance. Therefore, revisiting the discussion on the declaration of independence and its proclaimer is necessary.