Nobel laureate Mohammad Yunus on Tuesday said the country cannot be run at anyone’s whims,.
“We cannot leave this country and its future to anyone’s whims. We cannot let the country float to aimless directions,” he said addressing a reception organised by Bangladesh Muktijoddha Ganaparishad at the Diploma Engineers Institute.
“The nation has plunged into chaos because of political turmoil. But we do not want any conflict, tension and outburst — we want peace,” he remarked.
The programme was also addressed by BNP leader Abdulah al Noman, BNP Chairperson’s Adviser Shamser Mubin Chowdhury, Dhaka City BNP Convener Abdus Salam and other BNP leaders.
Dhaka University law professor Asif Nazrul and Gono Forum President Kamal Hossain also spoke at the event.
Yunus in his speech said no one could defy the people’s will.
“If the people’s will is ignored, they will realise their demands themselves in their own way.”
“We did not go to fight in the Liberation War upon anyone’s call. We participated the war at our own will. We got together at the battlefield for our own desires. If the same situation emerges again, we have to do the same,” he said.
Yunus called upon the youth and freedom fighters to rise up for another liberation war to wipe out the crisis in the country.
He said many were doubtful whether there would be any election, which was a “ridiculous doubt.”
“There has to be an acceptable election with participation from all parties,” he said.
The Nobel laureate said it had become very difficult in Bangladesh to express oneself freely.
“I might be endangered by whatever I say. Who knows what the cabinet will begin to talk about?” he remarked.
Documentaries on different aspects and occasions in the life of the Nobel Laureate were shown at the programme.
Dr Kamal Hossain in his speech said the country was not showing the proper respect that Yunus deserved.
He urged the people to reject those who “dishonoured and demeaned Yunus.”
The reception was presided over by the Istiaque Aziz Ulfat, president of Bangladesh Muktijoddha Ganaparishad.
He praised Yunus for the way he had upheld the Liberation War to the world, saying it would always inspire the youth of the country.
The organisation’s General Secretary Sadek Ahmed Khan said in his remarks that disrespecting Yunus was equal to disrespecting the country. “The glory he brought for us is our pride,” he said.
The programme was also addressed by Dr Jafarullah Chowdhury and Maj Gen Ainuddin Bir Prateek.
Asif Nazrul said those who were disrespecting and harassing Yunus were enemies of the country.
