Gono Forum founder and emeritus president Dr Kamal Hossain today said "evil forces" and "extremists" have created a climate of fear through violence and mob culture since the July uprising of 2024.
“Since the mass uprising [July uprising], evil forces and extremists -- much like that of the previous regime -- have created a new climate of fear through terrorism, clashes, killings and mob culture across the country, centring extortion, land grabbing, and attempts to establish local dominance,” Kamal Hossain said.
He also warned that Bangladesh could face a grave situation if the government fails to curb these "evil forces", which are attacking Bengali culture and way of life in the name of religious fanaticism and questioning issues settled through the Liberation War.
Kamal Hossain made the remarks in a written statement at a programme marking Gono Forum’s 33rd founding anniversary at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh auditorium in Dhaka this afternoon.
Gono Forum General Secretary Md Mizanur Rahman read out the statement on his behalf.
Kamal Hossain called upon all organisations that uphold the spirit of the Liberation War to unite and speak out against these forces.
He said the 2024 mass uprising had ended authoritarian rule, but the failure to seize the opportunity to build a discrimination-free, humane and democratic welfare state could lead to anarchy in the country.
He said Bangladesh needed strong national unity alongside political and socioeconomic stability.
Kamal Hossain was given a reception at the event.
Recalling Kamal’s long political career, economist Prof Rehman Sobhan expressed regret that Dr Kamal Hossain, chairman of the committee that drafted the Constitution, was not awarded the Independence Award, while AKM Abdur Rouf, who had just handwritten the constitution of Bangladesh, was posthumously given the award by the Awami League government.
Referring to the matter, he said, “People sometimes say that Kamal should have been given the Independence Award. The previous government gave the Independence Award to the draftman, the person who had handwritten the constitution. Unfortunately, this is how the history of our country has unfolded.”
The veteran economist further said, “Kamal Hossain spent his entire life committed to principled politics. If a country were run properly through a democratic process based on principled politics, with a commitment to establishing a just society, Kamal would have remained in a leadership position, or at a very high level, for many years.
“It is unfortunate that Kamal will turn 90 next year. But out of those 90 years, he was in power for only three or four years, when he had the opportunity to do something.”
LGRD Minister and BNP standing committee member Abdul Moyeen Khan said Kamal Hossain had founded Gono Forum because of his strong belief in democracy and a just society.
“The path to democracy is never smooth. Bangladesh has stumbled repeatedly, but it has also risen from those setbacks and moved forward,” he said.
Economist Debapriya Bhattacharya said Kamal Hossain’s contributions extended beyond his role as a framer of the constitution, noting his involvement in movements to ensure human rights, the rule of law and citizens’ rights.
Referring to his legal contribution in protecting Bangladesh’s national resources, Debapriya said, “The nation must recognise Dr Kamal Hossain’s legal contribution as a protector of the country’s national resources, be it gas or others.”
Gono Forum Acting President Subrata Chowdhury presided over the programme. Nagorik Oikya President Mahmudur Rahman Manna, Communist Party of Bangladesh General Secretary Abdullah Kafi Ratan, Biplobi Workers Party General Secretary Saiful Haque, and JSD Senior Vice-President Tania Rob, among others, also spoke.
