Nagorik Committee doesn’t see anything ‘hopeful’ in one month of interim govt

The interim government has already passed one month in power following the ouster of Sheikh Hasina led Awami League government through the mass uprising of students and people.

But the newly-formed Jatiya Nagorik Committee comprising people of different strata of the society doesn’t see anything “hopeful” during the last one month’s activities of Professor Muhammad Yunus led interim government.

Leaders of the Jatiya Nagorik Committee stated it at a press conference held at the Dhaka Reporters Unity at Segun Bagicha in the capital on Saturday (September 14) afternoon.

Jatiya Nagorik Committee convener Nasir Uddin Patwary and member secretary Akhtar Hossain, among others, were present at the press conference.

Referring to the issue of reforms of the state, Jatiya Nagorik Committee leader Naser Abdullah said, “The interim government should start the reforms of the state first. Then a time-limit will be fixed. It may be for three years.”

He said students themselves would decided whether the student politics should prevail at educational institutions or not. “However, we want students should possess knowledge of politics.”

Regarding the amendment of the constitution, he said, “We’ll write the constitution anew. We’re determined about it. The constitution of 1972 could n’t fulfill the hopes and aspirations of people. We’ll write a new constitution in consultation with all which will reflect the opinions of all.”

In her written statement, Jatiya Nagorik Committee spokesperson Samanta Sharmin said why the law enforcing agencies are not taking steps against those who broke temples and shrines? “We make this question to the interim government. We also hope that the government will take stringent measures against such heinous activities. If it cannot be done, it will bring serious harm to the country and the nation.”

Samanta Sharmin said, “Those who are involved in such activities, we intend to tell them that they are enemies of the country and mass uprising. The local and foreign friends of the fascism are trying to divert the mass uprising to a different direction. These incidents are also helping them. We should remember that those who have been committing such crimes are standing against Bangladesh. We also urge the government to investigate who are instigating behind such crimes.”

It may be mentioned that the 55-member Jatiya Nagorik Committee was formed on September 8 last at the initiatives of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement. It was formed with Nasir Uddin Patwary as convener and Akhtar Hossain as member secretary. Besides, Samanta Sharmin is in the committee as spokesperson. Apart from students, people belonging to different professions have been inducted in the committee.