Editorial
Promulgation of emergency rules
Prudence called for in implementation
The promulgation of rules under emergency provisions to curtail political activities does not come as a surprise. Indeed, ever since a state of emergency was clamped on the country, such rules had been expected to follow. The ban on political and trade union activities is therefore understandable. Despite our acknowledgment, though, that there is nothing out of the ordinary about the promulgation of the emergency rules, we do think it important to remind the caretaker authorities that there are certain essential areas they cannot ignore even as they apply the rules. The fundamental rights of the people, a point which the chief adviser emphasized in his recent address to the nation, cannot and must not be pushed aside in the name of an application of emergency rules. Harassment of citizens under the cover of emergency regulations can surely not be acceptable and wise policy. The caretaker government will surely remember that we at this newspaper as also the rest of the country welcomed it on arrival for reasons not difficult to fathom. The wide public support it enjoys today stems from an appreciation of the clear areas of responsibilities it has demarcated for itself. There is a very clear public perception that the government is on the right track and could indeed lay the groundwork for good, sustainable democratic politics in Bangladesh. The honeymoon period that the government thus enjoys should be taken full advantage of as it moves toward arranging free, fair and credible general elections in the country. The crest of popularity they are riding should constantly remind the caretakers that the sooner they can organize the elections, the healthier will the state of the nation be. From that perspective, we hope that the government will avoid taking any controversial step that just might cast a shadow over the bigger goals before it. We are, however, surprised at the imposition of restrictions on the media. We would have had grounds for much cheer had these restrictions not been placed on the media at all. We would like to remind the caretaker government that in earlier times it was such restrictions which delinked the administration from the general public. In other words, the media have consistently brought to light the lapses and inadequacies governments have suffered from in Bangladesh. It is therefore hoped that the caretaker administration will consider withdrawing the restrictions placed on the press or clarify them in light of the chief advisor's earlier reassurance about the media being free to pursue its job of airing people's grievances in public. The need today is for a good debate on the issues. Putting a lid on discussions, especially in the media, runs the risk of being counter-productive.
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