Slain secular writer Avijit Roy’s father Prof Ajoy Roy thinks that the government indirectly supports the killing of progressive bloggers and writers.
“The government did not make any comment publicly condemning the recent killing of bloggers. Can we take it for granted that the government has indirect support towards such killings?” eminent scientist Prof Ajoy told a discussion in the city yesterday.
He also protested the prime minister’s son’s terming Avijit an atheist.
Former Dhaka University teacher Prof Ajoy was speaking at a discussion at RC Majumdar Auditorium of the campus. He earlier termed his son’s murder a sign of the government’s failure.
PM’s son Sajeeb Wazed Joy in an interview with Reuters in May said the country’s political situation was volatile for his mother Sheikh Hasina to make comment on the murder that took place on February 26.
Joy told Reuters: “We are walking a fine line here. We don’t want to be seen as atheists. It doesn’t change our core beliefs.
“We believe in secularism. But given that our opposition party plays that religion card against us relentlessly, we can’t come out strongly for him. It’s about perception, not about reality.”
His comments came after Avijit’s widow Rafida Ahmed Bonya had criticised the government for not responding more appropriately to her husband’s slaying. Bonya sustained four head wounds, and her left thumb was sliced off.
Noted writer Prof Muhammed Zafar Iqbal too had criticised Joy for his comments saying that the fundamentalists would be encouraged to commit more murders “with assurance that the government will not do anything in particular.”
The Detective Branch of police has been investigating the case with assistance from US agency Federal Bureau of Investigation.
However, the investigators have not able to make any breakthrough in the sensational murder case. Two more secular writers were killed by assailants after Avijit murder.
At yesterday’s discussion, titled “Free thoughts attacked: Government mum,” Prof Ajoy also asked all progressive activists to keep up the fight against radicals.
Pragati Lekhok Songho organised the programme. The speakers condemned the government’s inaction following the murder of secular activists, and demanded that the government take stern action against the radical Islamist groups and militant outfits to uphold the secular spirit of the Liberation War.
