How can it be democracy if speech is banned: Rumeen Farhana
MP Rumeen Farhana at an event marking the anniversary of the July Uprising in Sarail. Photo: Agamir Somoy
Every person has media in the palm of their hand. They can listen to whatever they want. These days, it is not possible to stop someone’s statements from being broadcast. Barrister Rumeen Farhana made the remarks regarding the court’s ban on broadcasting statements by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted during the 2024 uprising.
She made the remarks at a meeting in Sarail, Brahmanbaria, on Wednesday afternoon. The member of parliament from the Brahmanbaria 2 constituency attended the meeting organized at the Upazila Parishad auditorium to mark the second anniversary of the July Uprising.
Responding to questions from journalists after the event, Rumeen Farhana said, “The media does not mean only 26 channels. These days, everyone has media in their hands. People can listen to whatever they want to hear. You cannot stop someone’s statements from being broadcast in this way. During Sheikh Hasina’s time, we saw that the broadcasting of Tarique Rahman’s statements was banned. It was banned by a court order. If that is not democracy, then how can this be democracy?”
The former BNP leader also spoke about Sheikh Hasina’s return to Bangladesh.
“She is a citizen of Bangladesh. Her family and her family have a long history of contributions to Bangladesh’s politics. Her family was killed in its entirety. At that time, the Awami League was the only party in Bangladesh’s independence struggle... She is also getting older. If she does not return to Bangladesh, what will happen to her party or what will become of her long political history? Considering everything, my common sense tells me that she will return,” the MP said.
Speaking about recent clashes between Chhatra Dal and Chhatra Shibir on various university campuses, Rumeen Farhana said, “This indicates the fragile law and order situation in the country. It indicates that the parties have no control whatsoever over their student organizations and that, ultimately, we are once again returning to the old politics.”
The local BNP boycotted the Upazila administration’s event because Rumeen Farhana was invited as the chief guest.
“The BNP has to accept that people voted for me and made me an MP. The BNP has to accept this hard truth,” said the leader who was expelled from the BNP after contesting the election as an independent candidate.
At the event, chaired by Upazila Executive Officer Md. Saiful Islam, speeches were delivered by Upazila Jamaat e Islami Ameer Enam Khan, Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Mohammad Nizam Uddin, and Sarail Police Station Officer-in-Charge Monzur Kader Bhuiyan.
Families of those killed and injured in the July Uprising were honored at the event.
