We are highly concerned that the Secretariat is proceeding with its plan to fence in the Sangsad Bhaban complex with 9-foot-high iron fences.
These barriers are unsightly and have rightly been condemned by architects and civic groups.
Security has been used as an excuse to justify the new fences, but this is ill-conceived as they will not add any protection to that which can be provided by well-trained security officials and surveillance equipment.
Existing fences around the complex already detract from the aesthetic elegance of Louis Kahn’s world-renowned design. The new barriers only further compromise the public’s ability to appreciate and view the National Assembly.
They are a physical manifestation of a regrettable attitude among some parts of the bureaucracy and political leadership which sees Parliament and its members as being remote from the people.
Not only is this undemocratic, but it is a form of vandalism to the architect’s master plan which conceived the entire South Plaza as being dedicated for contact between the people and parliament.
Members of parliament should call on the speaker to not only rethink unwarranted architectural changes to the country’s most important building, but to symbolically return parliament to the people.
Sangsad Bhaban should strive to be more open to the people it represents. Parliaments throughout the world maintain security whilst having readily available tours and viewing galleries for constituents and ordinary members of the public.
There is no excuse for Bangladesh to be any different.
Source: Dhaka Tribune