Democracy fails when free election and the freedom of expression is absent in a society, and where a culture of impunity and monopolised practice of power exists, speakers said at a discussion yesterday.
Forward thinking is the key to achieving the vision of a prosperous Bangladesh, and it is the young generation who must come up with the ideas to achieve that, they further said.
Titled “Democracy, tolerant politics and modern state,” the discussion was organised by civil society platform Citizens’ Open Forum in the capital’s Dhanmondi area yesterday evening.
Speaking at the event, Dhaka University’s Professor Asif Nazrul said: “Election is the soul of democracy. It ensures a minimum level of accountability. The government becomes less accountable in the absence of election, eventually turning into a fascist form.”
“We have reached such an extreme level that we can hardly tolerate opposing thoughts,” said Chowdhury AA Quaseed of Jukto Front. “The word ‘power’ should be replaced with the word ‘responsibility’.”
Zonayed Saki, coordinator of Gonosonghoti Andolon, said both the Awami League and the BNP-Jamaat coalition had tried to monopolise power.
“Their (political parties) inner-party practices of centralised and monopolised power reflect the whole scenario of political culture here.”
“We should think that the young generation does not support the existing politicians, regardless of their political identity,” said Tabith Awal, BNP-backed mayoral candidate of the recent Dhaka North City Corporation election. “We should work together for change to happen.”
Shireen Haq, founder member of Naripakkha, Alamgir Sikdar Ratan, representative of Jatiya Party, Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury of Gonoshasthaya Kendra, and Fida Haq of Poriborton Chai were present at the discussion, among others.