Leading Bangladesh expatriates living in the United States and Cana in a joint press statement issued from New York urged the government to create an atmosphere conducive to dialogue to resolve the prevailing political crisis and said, there is no alternative to tolerance, understanding and talks in a democracy.
They expressed grave concern that the present political violence has reached such a stage that the life and property of the people have been threatened. The expatriate leaders said on the one hand the ruling party has forfeited democratic rights by depriving the opposition the opportunity to organise meetings and processions, on the other the non-stop blockade and hartal has led to such a situation that right thinking people cannot but be apprehensive.“Those who have come abroad in search of livelihood and have contributed to keeping the economy by moving even in the midst of recession by transferring foreign currency earned at the cost of sweat and not remain in the role of silent spectators when the country is in a cycle of dangerous crisis of self-destruction.”
They said that the aggressive stance of two, the internecine fights can in now way be good for the country, and these will only bring in bad omen for the country at a time when it was surging ahead as one of promise. ‘We feel inside our heart that such a situation cannot continue for long. “We have to come to a very quick solution in the interest of the country, the nation and the people. Otherwise the existence of the country itself will be under threat,” they said.
The expatriate leaders urged all concerned told hold high the flag of democracy, independence and sovereignty, and keep secure independence achieved at the cost of unlimited toil, sweat and blood.
They urged the government to take the initiative and create the atmosphere for dialogue saying ‘since you are in power you have to take the initiative, because ‘you cannot shrug off the responsibility of creating a peaceful atmosphere for talks’. They said all concerned should sit for dialogue by giving up violence and forgetting mutual hate and mistrust to steer clear of the present situation. This is the demand of time. Because there is no alternative to tolerance, understanding and dialogue. We should remember, violence begets violence, and give those up before it’s too late to take the country to the path of peace which is a must.
The expatriate leaders who expressed solidarity with the statement included: Mohammad Aminullah and Dr. Delwar Hossain (NY), Dr. M Adel Mia, Arkansas University, Dr. Rezaul Huq (Boston), Atiqur Rahman Salu (New Jersey), Awlad Hosasain Khan, Syed Tipu Sultan, Dr. M Billah, Dr. MA Awal Siddique, Wadud Bhuiyan, Nurul Huq (NY), Dr. Golam Farid Aktar, Syed Hares, Ashraf Ahmed (Marryland), Dr. Iffat Hossain, Taimur Zakaria (New jersey), Manzur Ahmed, Dr. Mahfuz Chowdhury, Engr Md. Nurul Huq, Nargir Ahmed (NY) Abdur Rahim Hawladar (secretary, Bangladesh Society of New York), Ezaz Aktar, Taufiq Montreal, Mahbubur Rob Chowdhury, Ahad Khnodakar and Tapan Mahmud (Toronto), ABM Salahuddin, Ataur Rahman Ata, Sabbir Ahmed Laskar, Hakikul Islam Khokan, Khan Shawkat and Subhas Majumder (New York), a press release issued by Ataur Rahman Ata said.
