Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday called for an end to what he described as a “mentality of revenge”, urging all stakeholders to focus on national development rather than retaliation.
Speaking at a view-exchange meeting with journalists covering the BNP beat at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in the capital, he said at present, there is no environment in Bangladesh for muzzling the media, and sought cooperation from journalists in addressing social challenges.
“Let us try to change our mindset a little. If something happened to me, taking revenge will not bring it back or make things as they were before. We should move away from that mindset and think about what we can do for the country, for society, and for people,” the prime minister said.
“Whether we succeed or not is a different matter… but at least we can try. Success is a different issue. With this mindset, why shouldn’t we move forward?” he said.
Tarique Rahman also said the current government wants to ensure media freedom and maintain constructive engagement with journalists.
“Today is an important day for the newspaper industry of Bangladesh. On this day, all newspapers in the country were once shut down, leaving only four in publication,” he said.
The prime minister further said: “Today, we are able to sit and talk with so many journalists. It proves one thing that the environment in which the press was once stifled no longer exists, at least not at this moment. The kind of restrictions that were imposed on press freedom in the past are no longer there.”
He referred to the events of June 16, 1975, when, according to him, all newspapers except four were closed, and political parties were dissolved under the one-party BAKSAL system.
Tarique Rahman also recalled that former president Ziaur Rahman later restored multi-party democracy and lifted restrictions on newspapers.
June 16 is observed by many journalists and media organizations as the Black Day of Newspapers, commemorating the closure of most newspapers in 1975.
The interaction was the latest in a series of engagements between the prime minister and media professionals. Since assuming office on February 17 this year, he has held separate meetings with newspaper editors, senior journalists and television executives.
The prime minister devoted a significant part of his remarks to the growing problem of drug abuse among young people and the need for broader social efforts to address it.
He stressed the need to tackle drug abuse among young people through sports, culture and innovation rather than relying solely on enforcement.
“Our young generation is facing a serious drug problem. It exists globally, but the situation here is worrying,” Tarique Rahman said.
He said law enforcement and treatment alone could not solve the problem. “We cannot arrest, treat or counsel everyone due to limited resources...We must think about how to guide our future generations away from this problem. At the same time, we have to create opportunities for young people to use their energy positively.”
Highlighting the shortage of recreational facilities, the prime minister questioned how many playgrounds remained available across Dhaka and other parts of the country.
“Playgrounds are disappearing. There are hardly any facilities for boys and girls to play,” he said.
Emphasizing youth development, Tarique Rahman said people aged between 15 and 25 possess immense energy that must be channelled positively.
He said the government has already launched the Notun Kuri Sports and cultural competitions and noted that around 22 lakh students from across the country participated in a recent educational event.
The prime minister also called for greater emphasis on science fairs, debate competitions and year-round cultural activities in educational institutions to help nurture creativity and civic responsibility among young people.
Expressing concern over what he described as declining social and moral values, he said incidents were increasingly being witnessed where people recorded acts of cruelty on mobile phones instead of intervening to help.
Tarique Rahman also focused on strengthening social and religious values from the school level and said awareness-building efforts are needed to promote compassion and responsibility.
At one point during the discussion, the prime minister reflected on his years in London and said he missed the greenery and bird songs he often enjoyed while walking during the summer months.
Seeking greater cooperation from journalists, he said the government alone cannot solve all the country's challenges. “You can help me a great deal. Without your cooperation, it will be difficult to know whether we are moving in the right direction or not,” he said.
Tarique Rahman said everyone must come forward and play their part, adding that he was seeking the cooperation of journalists.
“I am making an appeal to you today. If you help me, it will make my work much easier,” he said.
The prime minister emphasized the need to protect the environment and safeguard future generations, saying children must be guided onto the right path.
“We must protect our environment and our future generations, and ensure our children are kept on the right track,” he said.
Tarique Rahman said this could be achieved through education, culture, sports, and by instilling human, social and religious values in the children.
The program was moderated by Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Jahidul Islam Rony.
Information Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon, State Minister Yasser Khan Choudhury, Prime Minister's Adviser Mahdi Amin, Press Secretary Saleh Shibly, Speechwriter SAM Mahfuzur Rahman, Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon and other officials were present.
