FE REPORT
Forty-eight prominent citizens on Saturday issued a joint statement calling for forging a strong national unity in the face of threat and conspiracy and shunning any sort of violence, political or communal.
The statement was available on the verified Facebook page of the press secretary to the Chief Adviser.
Following is the full text of the statement:
Bangladesh experienced a new beginning on 5 August 2024 when the despotic regime fell in the face of a historic people's uprising and Sheikh Hasina fled the country. The interim administration, headed by Professor Yunus, enjoys widespread support among all segments of the society. The nation faces an urgent task of restoring confidence and trust in all institutions of the state, rebuilding the economy, and carrying out necessary reforms that will pave the way for a democratic transition.
Against this backdrop, the forces of the fallen regime, with overt and covert support of their foreign patrons, are actively sowing divisions in the country through spreading misinformation and disinformation, and instigating violence. In particular, there is a concerted campaign of exaggerated, embellished, and at times, deliberately false reports of persecution of minority communities in Bangladesh. This propaganda unfortunately resulted in the brutal murder of Saiful Islam, a public prosecutor, in Chattogram on 26 November 2024.
We unequivocally condemn this murder, and demand a prompt and thorough investigation, and punishment of the perpetrators. Against the solemn backdrop of the tragedy, and communal tensions leading up to it, there has been a fear of reprisals against minority communities. Any communal violence would lend credence to the propaganda against Bangladesh. The people of Bangladesh, however, have shown utmost restraint and have resolutely thwarted any further escalation of violence. The murderers do not represent any sect, creed, or religion. But they could well be agents of the fallen despot Sheikh Hasina and her patrons.
If the investigation unearths this to be the case, it will confirm that the ousted despot is a direct threat to the national unity, sovereignty, and security of Bangladesh. The situation remains volatile. The ousted dictator remains free, while her cronies continue to enjoy their ill-gotten billions. From her secluded hideout in India, Hasina continues to make menacing threats toward Bangladesh. In this context, all pro-democracy forces must exercise patience and restraint while we pursue our aims to rebuild Bangladesh.
Any incendiary calls or activities could add fuel to the fire and help the fallen despot. Moreover, we are yet to dig out of the great economic black hole the Hasina regime has left our country in. Communal or political violence would only make our economic situation far worse, scaring away domestic and foreign investment that are badly needed at this moment.
We urge all Bangladeshis, irrespective of religion, political affiliation, ideology, gender, age or any other characteristics, to maintain national unity in the face of this threat. We express our solidarity for the unified voice in Bangladesh.
The citizens included Dr Rumi Ahmed Khan, Dr Shamaruh Mirza, Dr Shafiqur Rahman, Ehteshamul Haque, Jyoti Rahman, Dr Faham Abdus, Nusrat Khan Majlish, Dr Nusrat Homaira, Dr. Syed Rouf, Nazia Ahmed, Maj Shafayat Ahmad (Retd), Dr Ahmad Habibur Rahman, Sultan Mohammed Zakaria, Dr Mubashar Hasan, Ifat Tabassum, Dr Saiful Khondaker, Professor Rupom Razzaque, Dr. Mohammed Mia, Z Chowdhury, Asad Ul Islam, M Rashed, Abu Sayeed Ahamed, Muntasir Mamun, Ashraful Hasan, Jon Danilowicz, Kazi Ahmed, Taukir Aziz, Ehatasham Haque, Murshid Shalin, Asif Khan Mariha, Tahsin Saif, Shah Mohammed Mahmudul Khan, Apel Faisal Mahmud, Dr. Capt. (rtd) Khan Sobayel Bin Rafiq, Md Subail Bin Alam, Imtiaz Mirza, Jayed Ullash, Asif Iqbal, Dr Saimum Parvez, Shahad Munna, Zia Hassan, Fahim Mashroor, Sainul Hossain Zia, Hassan Siddique, Dr. Rushad Faridi, Islamul Haque, Waseem Alim, Rubaiyath Sarwar.
