We are disturbed by the defamation complaint filed against the BNP acting secretary general for remarks in which he termed the prime minister “a killer” and called the AL “a party of killers.”
It is not acceptable for the law to be called upon in this way while senior leaders of both the AL and BNP constantly indulge in abuse and mud-slinging.
Only this week, the PM herself made exactly the same type of comments about Khaleda Zia and the BNP and publicly called into question the former prime minister’s state of mind and loyalty to the nation.
The public has no appetite for such destructive rhetoric. A vast majority has repeatedly made clear in opinion polls that it wants to see peaceful dialogue between the country’s two largest political parties.
It is harmful for the nation that instead of toning down their mutual mud-slinging, both sides should regularly revert to hard-line rhetoric and abuse which only has appeal to their most hardcore supporters.
This defamation case goes beyond a simple war of words. The law should not be brought in to adjudicate instances of vulgar abuse. At a time when many BNP leaders face serious legal cases, it also adds to an atmosphere of intimidation of political opponents by the ruling party.
Both sides need to pay heed to the over 71.5% of the public who wish to see constructive dialogue between the AL and BNP. They should turn down their abusive language accordingly.
