It is disconcerting to note that a vested quarter of BNP, Jammat-e-Islam and its allied political parties are allegedly spreading rumours through various social media platforms that banks in the country might be shut down. Needless to say, such rumour has created panic among the account holders of different banks. Taking this issue into consideration, Bangladesh Bank on Sunday issued a notification so that the people of the country are not panicked over the money deposited in different banks.
In Bangladesh, false news and propaganda have long been used as an instrument for creating violence by the anti-liberation forces. We have seen how after August 15, 1975 the BNP and Jamaat distorted the history of our Independence. BNP and Jamaat used these distortions to justify making war criminals ministers, besides giving the killers of Bangabandhu indemnity and choice postings. Also in recent times we have experienced conspiracies made by anti-liberation forces to hinder the country’s development and defame the government. In this regard, we must not forget that when exciting information plays the role of sedition, we must take necessary steps to hold those persons to account who are responsible for manipulating information and instilling anti-state propaganda. Dissent and criticism are essential to democracy, and strongly recommended that law enforcement agencies use the sedition law judiciously and only when it is evident that the accused aims to disrupt public order and overthrow the government by use of violence.
We must take necessary steps to
hold those persons to account who are
responsible for manipulating information
and instilling anti-state propaganda
Existence of opposition both as an alternative government and as critic of government is a significant feature of democratic system. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina always welcomes the criticism of the government from the opposition saying that it is crucial in democracy. The premier pledged that her party will not create any barrier to this end.
Opposition has a right to question and get those answered by the party in government. They are also crucial for putting pressure on the government and getting some works done through them. So, in a functional democracy, the stronger the opposition is the more the accountability of government will be ensured. Political parties make many promises during elections and it is opposition’s responsibility to bring to the fore the irregularities in implementing those promises by the ruling party. We hope the opposition will play its due role in criticizing the role of the ruling party so that the government can act accordingly to ensure good governance. But the criticism has to be constructive and plausible and, importantly, should not be the tool to spread propaganda and hatred.