Hunger strike

By Fayaz Khan, On e-mail
23 March 2004, 18:00 PM
I have read in one of the internet versions of a Dhaka daily (with photograph) that the participation in the much trumpeted hunger strike organised by the "Tritio Dhara" has been rather disappointing. Other political parties should take lessons from it.

The damage that has been done is this: for the first time, I may be wrong, the Supreme Court premises has been allowed for politicking. There is no reason to believe that other parties won't follow suit.

I humbly suggest that a corner, perhaps in the Suhrawardy Uddayan, like the Hyde Park Speakers' Corner in London, may be set aside for such mini-gatherings and speech making. It can be very interesting and indeed entertaining for the general public to spend some afternoon recess as we see in the Hyde Park. I know it cannot be done overnight because we are not used to such freedom but if crimes can be committed so freely what's wrong if people are allowed to speak freely and listen freely about their concerns and hopes in life?

I hope the authorities will take my humble suggestion seriously.