Come forward to help resolve political impasse

Pro-BNP cultural activists at a discussion called upon all the cultural personalities on Wednesday to come forward to help overcome the ongoing political impasse and re-establish a democratic system in the country.
They were also critical about the attitude of the government, saying that the Awami League-led ruling coalition came to power through a controversial general election on January 5, 2014, in which 154 out of 300 parliament members were elected uncontested and election to the rest of the seats was held without participation of voters.
After the so-called election, the government that has no accountability to the people adopted the ruling system that every dictator followed and gradually squeezing the path of democratic practices and freedom of expression through imposing censorship on media, they said.
"The government does not allow normal democratic practices like procession and rally of the real opposition alliance. Whenever normal activities of citizens are restricted by the state, unusual incidents take place, which is not a good sign for any country," Convener of Bangladesh Sammilito Peshajibi Parishad Ruhul Amin Gazi said at the discussion.
Jatiyatabadi Sangskritik Jote, a platform of pro-BNP cultural activists, organised the dialogue on 'Ways to Overcome Ongoing Political Crisis and Re-establish Democracy: Thought of Cultural Activists' at the National Press Club on the day.
Speaking as the chief guest, Mr Gazi said the government must engage in a fruitful dialogue with the BNP-led 20-party alliance for an inclusive and participatory parliamentary poll, which will largely be accepted locally and internationally.
President of a faction of Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) Shawkat Mahmud said the government did not want to hold any dialogue among the political parties despite various local and global groups' suggestion to do so.
"So, we need to be united and take part in the ongoing movement for restoring democracy here," he said.
General Secretary of BNP's cultural wing, JASAS, Monir Khan said there were many leaders, who were quite helpful during the tenure of the then BNP-led four-party alliance. "But we don't see them during the ongoing movement. I firmly believe they will come again to the frontline when good time will return," he said.
Singer Hasan Chowdhury, film director Sajedur Rahman Saju, cultural leader Imtiaz Hossain Chapal and widow of the great filmmaker Chashi Nazrul Islam, among others, were present during the discussion.
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