Philosopher, human rights activist, environmentalist and statesman Farhad Mazhar said, “The people should establish their own constitution by protecting democracy from fascism.”
He said this as the chief guest at a view-sharing meeting with journalists organised at the Chattogram Press Club on Saturday morning.
He said, “The first need of the people of Bangladesh is a people-oriented constitution. The people must be made aware of what a constitution is and why it is necessary. Everyone must be vigilant so that fascism never returns to the country.”
Highlighting the importance of Chattogram and the security of the port, he said, “Chattogram is the heart of the country’s economy, where important military and commercial establishments, including the port, are located. The loss of this city means a serious loss for the country. That is why it is necessary to showcase the political and spiritual power of Chattogram to the world. The port must be protected from bribery and corruption. So that it is not used for foreign interests.”
Farhad Mazhar said, “Chattogram is a unique example of communal harmony. In areas like Hathazari, mosques and temples are located side by side, where people of both communities have been participating in religious and social rituals in harmony for ages. It is important to be aware that this tradition remains intact.”
He said, “Never again should someone wearing a beard, cap or Punjabi be called a militant or someone wearing saffron clothes a foreign agent.”
Farhad Mazhar said, “Constituent Assembly and Constitution are not the same. Constitution is just a legal framework, where the constitution is the main philosophy of running the state and organization. Dr. Kamal Hossain has made the Constitution the center of state thinking, which is confusing for the nation.”
Wishing the success of the Jamaat-e-Islami rally, he said, “Re-emerging in politics under the name of Jamaat-e-Islami after abolishing the IDL (Islamic Democratic League) shows a lack of political foresight.”
Chattogram Press Club member secretary and resident editor of Daily Amar Deshre, Jahidul Karim Kochi said, “The ChattogramPress Club was used as a place to implement India’s agenda. On August 5, a section of the student crowd evicted the fascist supporters from the Press Club. Currently, this club has developed as a haven for patriotic, professional journalists.”
He said, “Some circles are still trying to create an unpleasant situation around the Press Club. Therefore, journalists must be vigilant. Those who practice fascism under the guise of journalism have no place in the Press Club.”
The meeting was addressed by Moinuddin Quaderi Shawkat, member of the World Press Council and founding member of the ChattogramPress Club, Shahidul Haque, former chairman of the Journalism and Mass Communication Department of ChattogramUniversity, Professor R. Raji, Assistant Professor Saima Alam, statesman Major (retd) Ferdous, Kaler Kantho's ChattogramBureau Chief Mustafa Naeem, ChattogramMetropolitan Journalists Union General Secretary Saleh Noman, BSS senior journalist Mia Mohammad Arif, Dainik Ai Bangla's Executive Editor Wahid Zaman, and Baishakhi TV's Bureau Chief Golam Maula Murad, among others.
