Speakers, including journalists, writers and academics said on Saturday that people鈥檚 freedom and democratic practice in the country were absent during 15 years of authoritarian rule of the Awami League.
They also said that there was no environment to express opposing views during that time.
They made the remarks at a book discussion programme, organised by publishing house Adarsha and literary platform Bangiya Sahitya Sabha, on journalist and writer Ehasan Mahamud鈥檚 book titled 鈥楽adhinata, Ganatantra, Manabadhikar: Awami League-er Shasonamole Bangladesh 2009-2023鈥� at Bangla Academy.
Samakal advisory editor Abu Sayeed Khan said that many writers surrendered themselves to the fear during the Awami League regime and many translated the narratives of the ruling class to benefit themselves.
Sayeed said that a writer must have the courage to question the power.聽聽聽聽
Prothom Alo joint editor Sohrab Hassan said that the words鈥攆reedom, democracy and human rights鈥攚ere used frequently as those were absent in practice for a long time.
鈥楶olitical culture in the country is to grab everything,鈥� said Sohrab, emphasising the importance of bringing an end to the political culture.
Netra News editor-in-chief Tasneem Khalil pointed out that the writings in the book depicted repression on the Bangladesh Nationalist Party during the Awami regime.
鈥楾he BNP made some promises to the people during the time. The book, as a document of that time, can play a role to hold the party accountable if the party comes to power,鈥� said Tasneem.聽
Dhaka University professor Gitiara Nasreen said that people were deprived of their rights in such a way that they were not even aware of their basic human rights.
Common people and students expressed their repressed voices during the student-led mass uprising, said Nasreen.
Besides, writer-researcher Parsa Sanjana Sajid and writer Ehasan Mahamud spoke at the discussion while the environment, forest and climate change adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan virtually joined the session as a discussant.
