Dhaka: Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today urged the nation to unite against the use of abusive language, emphasizing that freedom of speech should not extend beyond the boundaries of decency. While addressing the third session of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad (JS), Rahman highlighted the importance of maintaining a responsible discourse in the democratic environment currently prevailing in the country.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Prime Minister stressed that neither fascist nor autocratic rule is desired in Bangladesh, and no patriotic politician would wish for a political culture characterized by abusive language. Rahman called on all political affiliations to play a responsible role, questioning the appropriateness of using language in public that would be uncomfortable in a family setting.
Rahman proposed that if there is a consensus on this issue, everyone should take a united stand against the culture of abusive language. He warned that internal conflicts and divisions could lead to the revival of fascist forces and stressed the importance of unity among pro-democracy forces to prevent the return of such forces.
While acknowledging that differences of opinion and political competition are natural in a democratic system, Rahman urged vigilance to ensure these do not escalate into hostility. The session of the Jatiya Sangsad was chaired by Deputy Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal and concluded with Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad Bir Bikram reading the President's prorogation order.
Rahman expressed confidence in the parliament's role as the center of activities, citing the discussions held during the session as evidence of the goodwill among lawmakers. He thanked the lawmakers for keeping the Jatiya Sangsad effective and vibrant, reflecting the people's expectations for peace and prosperity.
Addressing the country's economic challenges, Rahman recounted the history of misrule, corruption, and money laundering by previous regimes, which led to Bangladesh's status as a loan defaulter. He highlighted the current government's efforts to reduce the loan default ratio, attributing recent improvements to these initiatives.
The Prime Minister assured that the BNP government is committed to ridding Bangladesh of the stigma of loan default and corruption, aiming to overcome the burdens left by past regimes. Rahman also mentioned the substantial repayments made on foreign loans, despite the ongoing burden left by previous governments' financial mismanagement.