It was extremely disappointing to see what occurred around Dhanmondi Road 32 yesterday, when those showing affiliation with the Awami League or even with pictures of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, were forcefully detained by a protesting crowd, with some even attacked.
It is simply unacceptable that people are being attacked or being detained by simply showing solidarity with Bangabandhu or being a supporter of a political party - this was true during the Awami League regime when people were silenced from expressing their support for other parties besides the Awami League and it is equally true now.
Reports of cars being vandalized, of people tied with ropes, and their clothes being torn all remind us of everything we wish to change about this nation and the way past regimes had silenced those who they deemed were not in agreement with their views.
The very idea of the student movement was for people to have freedom of expression. This is equally true for identifying with and supporting any political party of their choosing, without any form of threats and discrimination. That there were protesters comprising students and the general public to prevent honouring Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman does not paint the nation in a favourable light.
We hope that those in charge of leading the country are paying attention, and we hope that law enforcement also do their jobs diligently and protect freedom of expression. If we are indeed to build a better Bangladesh, then it starts with a more tolerant Bangladesh where everyone is allowed to express themselves.