"Taking away the fundamental rights of political leaders cannot pave the way for establishing democracy," read a statement signed by 14 leading intellectuals of the country.

"Preventing the return of the leader of a party, which is part of the democratic movement, does not show foresight," the statement read.

"At the same time, forcing the leader of the other major political party to leave the country shows more about the power of the government, rather than judiciousness," the intellectuals stated in the statement.

The signatories to the statement are Kabir Chowdhury, KG Mustafa, Kalim Sharafi, Zillur Rahman Siddiqui, Serajul Islam Choudhury, Anisuzzaman, Fayez Ahmed, Ataus Samad, Hamida Hossain, Syed Shamsul Haque, Quaiyum Chowdhury, Anwara Syed Haque, Mamtazuddin Ahmed, and Ferdousi Majumdar.

They added, "Citizens want those guilty of looting state property and extreme corruption to be brought before the court through legal procedures, but they do not want extra-legal processes."

"We are urging the present caretaker government to reassess and analyse the measures it has already taken," they said.

"The government has to show foresight and acute judgment in every step they take with intentions to bring necessary changes and reforms while suspending the people's fundamental rights," the intellectuals said.

"In parallel with political reforms, the intra-party reforms and democratic practice carry special importance for the future of the nation," they said, adding, "We hope necessary steps to this end will be taken from within the political parties."

"In this regard, any change brought about by pressures from above cannot bring any good results. Instead, the ethical and regulatory pressures from governmental reforms would be positive and fruitful in this context," they said, adding, "It is of special importance that the government take responsible and well thought out measures."

The intellectuals also stated, "Citizens support the current government's commitment to a proper and effective democratic process by taking charge when the nation was mired in a grave political crisis."

They said although the country returned to democracy in the early 1990s, a certain self-interested group turned governance into an arena where they could do anything they want, instead of expanding people's rights and power.

"Politicisation of every level of the administration and the dominance of black money turned the country's democratic process into a farce," they said.

The current caretaker government took charge at one stage of the people's protests, resistance and struggle against the administration's politicisation and black money's dominance.

"We want to see the success of this initiative and hope for the establishment of a strengthened democratic ideals and regulations," the statement said.