How can freedom of speech flourish when sensitivities are so high, and public patience so low, when dissent is considered dangerous, any critique is considered to be a challenge, and all opposition is viewed as an existential threat that must be crushed? How credible are the preachy platitudes about democracy coming from people who are not its best exemplar?

An MP – who paradoxically represents the ruling coalition as well as its opposition in the parliament – recently played the proverbial role of the judge, jury and prosecutor.

Narayanganj school headmaster Shyamal Kanti Bhakta, who was in attention for the last few days over an incident of humiliation by a local lawmaker, is moved to Dhaka for better treatments.

Shyamal Kanti Bhakta, the school headmaster of Narayanganj, wants justice for his humiliation over the allegation of his disparaging statements about religion.