BEN airs dismay at broadside against CPD board members

In a statement, the global network of non-resident Bangladeshis said the BoI Executive Chairman Mahmudur Rahman's virulent statements against Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) Executive Director Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya call for an apology.

Mahmudur Rahman recently branded CPD as a 'shameless liar and conspirator', filed a defamation case against five CPD trustees and singled out Debapriya, terming him 'black sheep' and saying that "he should not have the right to live in Bangladesh".

Such statements are totally uncalled for, BEN said. "If Mahmudur Rahman thinks that CPD has erred in its data and analysis, he can very well challenge them and offer his counter-positions. He has the entire government machinery to support him in doing so," it added.

"Instead, he seems to have taken recourse to personal attacks. We note that CPD Trustee Board Members, in particular the five CPD against whom he has filed suit, are very eminent citizens of the country," BEN observed.

Prof Rehman Sobhan played a historic role in formulation of the 6-point demand charter, which served as the basis of Bangladesh's independence movement, it added.

Within a short period of time, CPD has established itself as the prominent centre of the country for policy discussions and played a very constructive role in defending Bangladesh's interests in the WTO negotiations, the BEN noted.

It also observed that Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya also played a crucial role in raising CPD's national and international profile. A very capable person, he has shunned the allure of living abroad in order to be useful for Bangladesh and set an example of patriotism to his generation, BEN added.

"Describing such a person as a 'black sheep' and declaring that 'he should not have the right to live in Bangladesh' are poignantly unfortunate."

"The tendency on the part of ministers to take on personally individuals who disagree with them needs to be stopped," BEN added.

BEN also called on Mahmudur Rahman to rethink about his recent statements and action and stop proceeding along this destructive line any further.

"This type of arrogant actions on the part of the government representatives raises questions about the rule of law in Bangladesh and tarnishes her image abroad," BEN said, adding that Mahmudur Rahman's recent spat with CPD can hardly be helpful in enticing foreign investment.

Meanwhile, over five hundred people staged a demonstration at Elenga in Tangail on Saturday protesting the filing of a case against five eminent citizens, including Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya, who hails from Elenga.

At a rally, the speakers demanded that Mahmudur Rahman withdraw the case and offer his unconditional apology.

Hazrat Ali Debal, principal of Lion Firoze College, presided over the rally.