Dhaka University Professor Salimullah Khan has called for the judgment of the university's teacher association, accusing them of betraying the public’s trust by opposing the July student movement and engaging in servitude to political masters.
Speaking at a discussion on "What Do We Want in the New Bangladesh?" at the National Museum auditorium on Tuesday, Salimullah Khan emphasized the need for fundamental reforms in the country.
“We want an egalitarian, democratic Bangladesh based on equality and justice. Our goal is to establish human dignity. It is wrong to torture any living being, let alone a human. If we consider someone a human, we must refrain from committing injustice," Salimullah Khan said, highlighting the importance of human rights and social justice.
The professor also spoke out against religious persecution and stressed that Bangladesh should be a nation where people of all religions, races, and ethnicities coexist peacefully. "No religion should be persecuted in the new Bangladesh. The country should be inclusive of all," he said.
He further criticized the political history of Bangladesh, asserting that fascism began in 1972, when those who did not fight in the Liberation War were made "Father of the Nation" while the real war heroes were neglected. "We owe a debt to the youth who have restored our lost freedom," he said, also referring to August 5 as the "third independence."
Khan argued that distorting history is an act of fascism and emphasized the importance of preserving the present while acknowledging the past.
"In every aspect, including thought and ideology, we must have freedom. 26% of the population still cannot sign their names, and we must ensure universal access to education. Education should be free for all," he said.
On the issue of economic hardships, Khan highlighted the country's poverty rate, stating, “If the poverty line is set at an income below 18 thousand, then 80% of the population is living below the poverty line."
He also called for the formation of the Wage Reform Commission to ensure fair wages for workers, who he believes are the foundation of the country.
Addressing the state of the Bengali language, Khan expressed concern about its decline in international spaces, saying, "Bengali is almost an extinct language internationally. We must ensure that all official work in Bangladesh is conducted in Bengali, and all names must be in Bengali."
