A group of politicians, academics and civil society members on Friday vowed to wage a war against corruption, saying that all-pervasive corruption – primarily patronised by the ruling coterie – was eating into all of Bangladesh’s achievements. They made the vow at an anti-corruption sit-in ‘say no to corruption’ at the Central Shaheed Minar in the city. Nagarik Oikya organised the sit-in as part of its anti-corruption campaign, with its convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna in the chair. Though the sit-in was scheduled to be held at the Suhrawardy Uddyan, the programme was held at the Central Shaheed Minar as police refused to let them sit at Suhrawardy Uddyan. Several political parties, including Bikalpadhara Bangladesh, Gana Forum and a faction of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, academics and members of civil society took part in the sit-in to extend their solidarity with the anti-corruption campaign. Many of them while addressing the programme observed that the present government – which they said is occupying state power through a fraud election – must be ousted at the beginning of the war against corruption. Some of them said corruption took a pervasive turn shortly after the liberation of Bangladesh and has been continuing unabatedly till date, though one of the primary goals of the liberation war was creating a – corruption and disparity – free society. Columnist Syed Abul Maksud said Bangladesh was liberated saying no to corruption, but corruption began through looting of relief goods shortly after the liberation war. Saying there is not an inch of corruption-free land in the country, Maksud urged Nagarik Oikya to take up a graffiti campaign highlighting the names of the people in government who are perceived as corrupted people. Architect Mubasshar Hussain said, ‘corruption began in the country when Sheikh Mujib said, “sycophants are all around” and is continuing till date.’ He said the very statement of prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, that all of ‘my party is for sale’ shows how deeply-entrenched corruption is in the country. Gonoshasthaya Kendra founding chairman Zafrullah Chowdhury said corruption is destroying the country day-by-day in the way carcinoma destroys the body of a patient. Jurist Shahdeen Malik said no movement will be successful as long as corruption will remain in place in our society. Former Awami League leader Sultan Mohammad Mansur said the present government ‘is the most corrupt in the world.’ ‘First of all, a participatory election is an imperative in order to begin the anti-corruption drive as this government is occupying state power through a farce January 5 election,’ he added. Dhaka University teacher Asif Nazrul said corruption now plagues Bangladesh whereas the liberation war was waged to get rid of Pakistani looters. He said the anti-corruption movement should be launched first against those who are at the top of state power. Speaking on the occasion, Mahmudur Rahman Manna said his organisation has just begun the anti-corruption campaign. ‘We will come up with more programmes like sit-ins, human chains and conventions soon,’ he added. Bikalpadhara Bangladesh secretary general MA Mannan, Communist Party of Bangladesh central leader Ruhin Hossain Prince, Nagarik Oikay adviser SM Akram, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal general secretary Abdul Malek Ratan, Gana Forum central leader Subrata Chowdhury, Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal’s Zahidul Haque Milu and writer Ruby Amatullah also spoke, among others, at the programme.
Source: New Age
