Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan has said that the pace of good governance depends on learning from the lessons of history and practising them continuously.
He added that the government will continuously practise the lessons of history.
The minister made the remarks today (Tuesday) as the chief guest at the book launch and publication ceremony of *Fire Dekha Sei Somoy* (Looking Back at That Time), written by Hasan Ahmed Chowdhury Kiron, Chairman of Debate for Democracy. The event was held at the CIRDAP Conference Centre in the capital. Photo: BSS
The minister said a nation can move forward on the right path only by learning from past experiences.
He noted that it is a natural human tendency to look back at the past. However, instead of limiting those memories to mere emotion, documenting them and presenting them as educational material for future generations is an important task.
The Information Minister said the book *Fire Dekha Sei Somoy* analyses the political and social context of the 10th, 11th and 12th National Parliament elections, which will help in understanding the country’s recent political reality.
He stated that the 10th National Parliament election was widely known as a one-sided affair both at home and abroad. The victory of 151 seats without any contest sparked widespread discussion. He questioned how acceptable such an election could be when a large portion of the people did not participate.
Regarding the 11th National Parliament election, Zahir Uddin Swapan said it is known as the “midnight election”. He himself was a candidate in that election and claimed he was kept under house arrest at his own residence for one month and 10 days.
He also mentioned the presence of security forces in front of his residence, night-time raids and the arrest of political activists at that time.
Similarly, in the 12th National Parliament election, the country’s major opposition parties did not participate. Although an attempt was made to create an election atmosphere by fielding rival candidates from within the ruling party itself, in reality 90 percent of voters did not cast their votes.
The minister said such elections are not sustainable in the long run and eventually the people take a stand against them. He noted that the same reality was reflected in the mass uprising of 5 August 2024.
He further said that studying such chapters of political history will help guide future political leadership on the right path.
Referring to the younger generation, the minister said it is extremely important to foster a culture of debate among them. A society that fears or avoids debate becomes stagnant.
He emphasised the need to develop a mindset of accepting things only after understanding them, rather than blindly. This requires an environment of free thinking, critical analysis and logical discussion.
On the caretaker government system, he said the matter is currently sub judice in the court and its constitutional position is not clear until the final verdict is delivered. Discussions on constitutional reforms are also ongoing. However, considering past experiences and the expectations of the people, he stressed the need for a neutral and acceptable election system.
He expressed hope that in the future an election system will be established that can win the trust of the people.
The book launch ceremony was presided over by Syed Abdal Ahmed, former General Secretary of the National Press Club and publisher of the book.
Among others who spoke as guests were: National Press Club President poet Hasan Hafeez; Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) General Secretary Kader Gani Chowdhury; Daily Jugantor Editor poet Abdul Hai Sikder; Vice-Chancellor of Bangladesh Open University Prof Dr Siddiqur Rahman Khan; and Banglavision Television Chief Editor and Head of News Dr Abdul Hai Siddique.
The author of the book and Chairman of Debate for Democracy, Hasan Ahmed Chowdhury Kiron, said that Sheikh Hasina believed that no one else would come to power in her lifetime. She thought she would remain Prime Minister as long as she lived. Such statements were heard from Awami League ministers and MPs at that time. But the mass uprising in July proved that the people are the source of all power.
He further said that although the Constitution of Bangladesh clearly states that all power of the Republic belongs to the people, Sheikh Hasina did not believe it. He alleged that during the one-and-a-half-decade rule of the Awami League government, ownership of the state was taken away from the people.
Hasan Ahmed Chowdhury Kiron added that at that time people had no social, political or democratic rights.
The book compiles 38 published articles, including “Rakte Vejano Din Baddaler Sanad” (The Blood-soaked Charter of Change), “Grefatar Ar Dandabedir Rajniti” (Politics of Arrest and Handcuffs), “City Election: Verdict Against Misrule”, “BNP Did Not Make a Mistake”, “Murder and Enforced Disappearance Are Undesirable in a Civilised Society”, “Endangered Humanity and People’s Expectations”, and “Right to Vote and Democracy”.
It also includes articles on “Election Without Vote”, “Daytime Vote at Night”, “My Election and Dummy Election”, “Enforced Disappearance, Murder and Killing”, “Cases and Attacks”, “Share Market Scam”, “Bank Loot”, “Loan Fraud and Takeover”, “Tender Manipulation”, “Job Trade”, “Admission Trade”, “Question Leak” and “Bribes and Corruption” — painting a picture of the misrule of the Awami League government. These articles have been reprinted in book form.
